Maria Costello is a long time motorcycle racer (20 years now), and was the first woman to take podium at the Manx Grand Prix at Isle of Man. Writer Hanna Woodside interviewed Maria for Glamour’s new marketing campaign, highlighting how she got into racing and changes in the sport over time. “I used to be a veterinary nurse and got a motorbike to get to work, it started off as a practicality but I absolutely fell in love with it – the speed, the freedom, the individuality. Eventually, I changed jobs and started working in a motorbike job; I just wanted everything to be about motorcycling. I discovered my competitive side, too – I was never a competitive person before I started riding – and it went from there. There isn’t a word in the dictionary that can sum up what motorcycling gives to me, I feel so lucky that I found my sport.”
Maria Costello racing a vintage BMW motorcycle
“Motorcycle racing can be a dangerous sport – I’ve broken about 24 bones in my body but it doesn’t put me off. There’s the odd time, when you’re in terrible pain and you start to question it – but pretty quickly you’re thinking, ‘Where’s my bike? I want to go again’. I’ve had physiotherapists and consultants tell me I should think about doing something else but I get such a lot out of the sport that it’s worth it. I want to carry on racing for a while longer.“
Read the full interview on the UK Glamour Magazine website.
More: Maria Costello Celebrates Women Motorcyclists in NZ
Vasilisa Komarova took a dream motorcycle road trip. Camping in Bolivia she was attacked by three men with machetes, raped, and left for dead. “We have to stand up to the abuse and never lose hope.” Read the story and find out how to help.
Posted on May 26, 2015 in MotoLadies, News & Features by Alicia Mariah Elfving
24 bones!!! Wow! Surely, there’s hope for me – I’ve only broken 2 (and hopefully no more!). Ride on, girl!