Meghan Rutledge is a 23 year-old Mudgee local who has had a passion for motocross racing for as long as she can remember.

First mounting a bike at four years of age, there was nothing that would get in the way of Meghan from fulfilling her destiny - to become one of the most renowned female riders in the world.

With the drive and determination to get to where she is, it is no surprise she has won more races and titles than her years on this earth.  

Despite racking up a few serious injuries and taking time off to recover, now back on the bike once again and feeling better than ever, Rutledge is unstoppable.

“It feels good to back at 100 per cent health,” she said.

“I have felt absolutely amazing this year and am glad to be back where I should be.”

“To train for four months and get on top, it shows my dedication.”

Performing at the level Meghan needs to succeed isn’t easy, but luckily she has help.

Pushed to be in her prime of strength and fitness, trainer Mista Sauer, has been pulling out all the stops to get Rutledge to maintain her physical peak.

Engaging in rigorous training sessions every day, there’s not a single thing Meghan won’t put her body through to make sure everyone knows her name.

Putting herself through the grueling training sessions means that when competing, Rutledge doesn’t have to fight the bike and can focus solely on the track and her mindset.

“There’s nothing I could teach her about motorcycling, but there’s a lot I can teach her about fitness and strength, and that’s what we have been focused on,” Sauer said.

“I can’t break her. It doesn’t matter what I do to her, she has the guts and determination to fight through it all.”

Mista says it’s often the case that people who are undertaking training drop enthusiasm and dedication once they are on their own, however he knows Meghan is not one of those people.

“She gives 100 per cent, 100 per cent of the time.”

“I’ve never seen such a dedicated person in all my years of training.”

Not only does her training improve her physical strength in terms of riding, but too her endurance when competing in lengthy races.

Mista said it is often the case riders clock slower times as the days go by, but because Meghan is in peak form, she is able to dig deep and total faster times at the end of the event than what she did at the start.

“There’s nothing she can’t do on a bike,” Mista said.

Despite having experienced multiple injuries – including a compressed vertebrae in her neck, and broken bones in her feet and hands – there is nothing that can deter her from getting back on the bike and conquering.

Sauer is doubtful Meghan has lost her edge.

“She just has so much determination, desire and passion to win...she’ll hurt herself to win,” Sauer said.

Some of her most recent accomplishments include: 2018 Queen of MX, 2018 Female Winner Hattah Desert Race, 2018 Australian Motocross Champion, 2018 Australian Female SuperMoto Champion.

“I know she is one of the most, if not the most accomplished female motocross rider ever to be,” Mista said.

Having never raced SuperMoto before, half dirt and half tar, Meghan’s talent was showcased as she took out the Australian title for women.

She even qualified and raced in the FIA sanctioned event that was the official world championship event which had the best SuperMoto riders in the world going head to head.

Meghan raced against 33 men on a 250cc with her competitors on 450cc bikes, yet she still managed to come in 13th in a style she had never competed in before.

“If she would’ve had a 450 and one more race, she would’ve come easy top 10, maybe top seven which for someone who has never done it before and against the best there are, is pretty impressive,” Sauer said.

One of the most emotional wins for Meghan and her team, was when she was crowned Queen of MX.

With sloppy conditions and a passion for winning, it was tough for Sauer to instruct Rutledge to let other riders in front to clear the track.

Going against her nature, Meghan held back and when the time was right, she did what she does and claimed the title.

“It was just incredible when you see someone like that give their all. She deserved it,” Sauer said.

“There were 1,500-odd people and when Meghan won they all just started screaming and cheering. It really was incredible.”

With emotions dependent on the level of competition and title, when it came to taking the crown in this race in particular, Rutledge says it was definitely something she had never felt before.

“With small comps I go into it thinking ‘I’m going to get the job done,’ but with the big win this year the emotions I had felt like no other because I had had such a bad run with injuries,” Meghan said.

Not only does Meghan have a knack for winning, but also supporting young riders and women in the sport.

Donating extra time and attention to young riders giving them tips, is something Rutledge is passionate about.

“She is just such a beautiful person. She doesn’t think she is better than anyone, and is a really humble person.”

Meghan knows first hand what it’s like to go up against men, beat them at their own game and still not get as much support.

Her dream is to become World Champion but currently only sees it as just that, a dream.

“My dream is to become World Champion but unfortunately there isn’t enough support for women to get there,” she said.

There is no shortage of female numbers in motocross as Rutledge says there are hundreds of female riders, and usually 30 in a race line-up.

Meghan works five days a week, as well as her partner, just to be able to travel and compete in what is notably an expensive sport.

“If I were a male doing what I am doing, then I would be getting paid.”

With the sheer differences between sponsor and financial assistance to male riders, females often don’t get nearly the same amount.

“It’s going to take a big business to get me overseas again, it’s just really expensive, and it’s really tough for girls to get these types of sponsors,” Rutledge said.

“But it would be even more tough if I didn’t have the amazing sponsors I do.”

A handful of the many sponsors supporting Meghan through her journey include: EastCoast Supplements Mudgee, Ride Mudgee, Kawasaki Motors Australia, Rockwell Watches Australia, MCD Racing and Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyres Australia.

“I am so honored to have been a part of this and that Meghan chose me to be her trainer,” Sauer said.

“I think this girl is going to be something special.

“We need to support her because she’s a local girl.”

Not only does Rutledge have the backing of businesses, but also her family and partner who are extremely supportive of her.

Riding is all Meghan knows, and without her family by her side, she doubts all of her achievements would have ever been a possibility.

“Without my sponsors, family and partner I wouldn’t have championships...they’re the reason.”

Having a family largely involved in riding has made the journey even more special as each and every one of Meghan’s support crew love it all just as much as she does.

“I can’t put any words towards it but it wouldn’t be possible without them.”

For any girls who are pondering at the thought of giving motocross a go, Meghan says why not, the possibilities are endless just so long as an attempt is made.

“Give it a go, you never know unless you try.

“Don’t be scared of racing up against the boys. You might actually surprise yourself.”

Meghan has no more races to compete in this year, however is in preparation for events and competitions coming in 2019.