Polytimi Kyriakopoulou has been riding motorcycles since she was 16. Her first motorbike was a Honda C50, which she used to commute to and from school.
“Back then, you would not see a girl often riding a motorcycle in Athens, I have always been very careful and safety conscious,” she told Neos Kosmos.
More than three decades later, now an architect and a mother to four girls, not only she has the same passion for two wheels and motorcycle racing but she also became the first Greek woman to have been admitted to compete in the female motorcycle category of the 2020 Dakar Rally.
“It was a dream come true but due to unforeseen circumstances I didn’t make it.
“The Dakar Rally Race is unique and so is the preparation for the competitors. The process to get there is time consuming and requires, discipline, physical strength and a considerable amount of money for the rider as well as for the motorcycle set up. I spent many hours riding in Greece and in the African desert terrain to get ready for this race,” said the Greek rider, who has participated in numerous national and international racing events.
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So how can one combine motherhood, career and motorcycle racing?
“It’s all about will, passion, time management and persistence. I love each one of my roles and I believe, that if you love what you do, you can find time for everything,” Mrs Kyriakopoulou said, explaining that her family and friends have been her biggest supporters.
Having asked her what her point of view is on the substantially lower numbers of female motorcycle riders worldwide compared to males and whether this is due to a stereotype or a deeper societal issue, Mrs Kyriakopoulou said that one’s gender, age and background should not limit their passion and goals.
When life gives you lemons, throttle on
Shortly after she announced that she would not participate in the Dakar Rally Race, Kyriakopoulou was involved in a very serious accident, where she almost lost her life to a drink driver.
“It happened outside my house. I was standing next to the bike, preparing it for an enduro event. It was a shock and a reminder that we should value every minute of our lives,
“Without obstacles we would not learn how to maneuver our way around them and become stronger. These are life lessons,” she concludes, remaining hopeful that she will be able to compete in the next Dakar Rally.