Story and photos from motoamerica.com

The field is set for the 2022 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. (BTR) season, and as promised, the new program is the largest yet. The BTR Road Race roster doubles in size from the previous season, with 15 women on the grid, and the Royal Enfield exhibition is set to visit six MotoAmerica venues in 2022. Professional road racer and crew chief Melissa Paris also returns to Royal Enfield BTR as the mentor to the women through each phase of the program.

“The excruciating process of selecting the participants from hundreds of applicants is now over, and we have our BTR Road Race field in place,” said Breeann Poland, Marketing and Communications Lead – Royal Enfield Americas. “We are excited to welcome back four women from previous seasons, plus one making the switch from flat track, along with 10 new faces. Royal Enfield, MotoAmerica and all the BTR sponsors are looking forward to sharing the stories, personalities and progress of these amazing women from different backgrounds and experience levels as they go through the season.”

Each of the 15 participants receive a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 motorcycle that they will spend the next three months (the “Build” phase of the program) designing and building. Melissa Paris will work with each rider to create a design and build their race bike before they begin training.

THE RIDERS

Kayla Thiesler, Michaela Trumbull, Alyssa Bridges, Trisha Dahl and Bridgette LeBer make their return to the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. program, with LeBer crossing over from the flat track side and returning to her road racing roots. They will be joined by 10 new women joining the program, which was opened up to racers of all experience levels for 2022, rather than focusing on new riders. Find bios on all 15 women coming soon at the Build. Train. Race. website.

2022 BTR Road Racing Roster

Kayla Thiesler, 26, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Michaela Trumbull, 29, Sheridan, Wyoming

Alyssa Bridges, 31, Orange County, California

Trisha Dahl, 31, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bridgette LeBer, 29, Port Angeles, Washington

Ash Truxal, 31, Oakland, California

Chloe Peterson, 31, Steger, Illinois

Cora Tennyson, 36, Brandenburg, Kentucky

Crystal Looy, 34, Thousand Oaks, California

Hannah Stockton, 23, Kansas City, Missouri

Jenny Chancellor, 46, Tumwater, Washington

Jessica Martin, 38, Savannah, Georgia

Kayleigh Buyck, 30, Sodus, New York

Nicole Pareso, 34, Carrolton, Ohio

Patty Paul, 57, Berrien Springs, Michigan

“Holy smokes, I get to do this again!” exclaimed returning BTR Road Race rider Alyssa Bridges of Dana Point, California. “This program has changed so many things in my life and I can’t believe we get to do it again. I’m honored to be asked to return for a second season. This time last year I had never modified a motorcycle to such a great extent, and never set foot on a racetrack. I’m sure this year will be different from last, but I’m so grateful to be asked to join again.” “This whole experience is a dream come true,” said BTR Road Racing newcomer Kayleigh Buyck of Marion, New York. “I never would have thought I would be chosen to be a part of something so inspiring and motivational. I only hope this encourages many more women to chase their dreams and help the sport grow!” 

THE SPONSORS

Along with a number of riders, many sponsors are back for the 2022 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. program. The Road Racing program sees the return of S&S Cycle, Maxima Racing Oils, BOXO USA and Öhlins USA Suspension while new sponsors Arai Helmets and AGV come on board for the 2022 season.

The BTR Road Racing women will each build out their own unique sponsor deck that can extend to include a different number of sponsors and/or parts. Stay connected for more information on each race bike throughout the Build phase of the program at https://buildtrainrace.com/road-racing/. 

“It means the world to us to have such generous support from these great companies,” said Poland. “Being able to send the Royal Enfield BTR women out onto the track with premium parts, support and protection is everything. Huge thanks to everyone who is behind our 2022 BTR Road Racing program. We can’t wait to see it all come together this season.”

THE SCHEDULE 

Up from the previous year’s schedule of three rounds, BTR Road Racing is slated to run six rounds within the MotoAmerica FIM North American Road Race Championship for the 2022 season. Along with a return to Brainerd, Pitt Race and Barber Motorsports Park, BTR has added VIR, Road America and New Jersey to the 2022 schedule. 

“The Royal Enfield BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. racers and crew were a pleasure to have in our paddock last year,” said MotoAmerica Communications Manager Paul Carruthers. “The series was embraced by our fans, the rest of the paddock and the industry. We’re excited to welcome them back this year for twice as many rounds, and with even more racers.” 

2022 Royal Enfield BTR Road Racing Schedule

May 20-22 (Round 1) Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

June 3-5 (Round 2) Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

July 29-31 (Round 3) Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN

Aug. 19-21 (Round 4) Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, WA

Sept. 9-11 (Round 5) New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

Sept. 23-25 (Round 6) Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL