At 32 years old, Avalon Lewis is living several lives at once — mother to a young son, marketing professional, and international motorcycle racer. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, she now calls Brisbane, Australia home, where she lives with her husband and their baby boy.
The family relocated in June last year, a decision driven by her husband’s career. “It was a big move,” Avalon explains. “We had a six-month-old at the time, so just getting everything organised was a mission. But it was a great opportunity for my husband — he now runs the Australian branch of Link Engine Management, a motorsport electronics company. I work part-time for them as well, and they’ve been incredibly supportive through the move.”
Her son is not yet two, which means life is a whirlwind of travel, childcare, and training. “It’s chaos — absolute chaos,” she laughs. “You learn to be flexible because routines rarely survive contact with reality. Every race round is different; sometimes my husband and son can join me, like at the first Assen race, and sometimes they stay home, like for Cremona. Training is tricky — I squeeze in 20-minute sessions when I can. The bonus of living in Australia is the good weather. I can take my son to the park, kick a ball around with him, and get some exercise in at the same time. But it’s definitely a juggling act.”
From New Zealand to Europe — Chasing the Racing Dream
Avalon’s first step into the European racing scene came at just 19 years old. She left university after one year to pursue sponsorship and make the leap overseas. “I went from a 125 GP bike to a 600cc four-stroke with only a couple of months of training before heading to one of the toughest racing nations in the world. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend that route to anyone!”
Her early European career included three seasons in the Italian Championship, two years in the European Junior Cup, and a spot in the inaugural Supersport 300 World Championship season. When things didn’t work out, she returned home, completed her business degree with a major in marketing, and continued working in the field — all while racing in the New Zealand Championship during the summer months.
“My husband and I both race, so summers are hectic. Financially, it’s hard. You’re always chasing sponsorship, keeping the wheels turning — literally and figuratively. But I’ve been lucky to spend so many years on the track.”
Breaking Barriers and Finding a Path
Avalon knows the road to the top of motorcycle racing is far from straightforward. “It’s such a unique sport and there’s still no perfectly clear pathway. But in Australia and New Zealand, people are putting in the effort to develop junior classes. The Oceania Junior Cup and the Asia Talent Cup are making a real difference, and we’re starting to see more young riders from our part of the world making their way up.”
Still, she says, the main obstacle remains funding. “You need a lot of money to compete, and when you add it up, it’s the equivalent of a house deposit every single year. Plus, if your sponsors are based back home, it’s hard to deliver them value when you’re racing on the other side of the world. Then there’s the uncertainty — arriving in Europe not knowing if your bike will be competitive or if you’ll click with the team.”
This is where she feels the WorldWCR series changes the game. “It removes so many of the unknowns. For riders from outside Europe, it’s a gateway into the paddock. Yamaha’s BluCru initiative is the same — you show up, jump on a bike, and focus on racing. When I was coming up, if you didn’t make it into Red Bull Rookies, you had no options. Now, there’s a clearer path.”
Fighting for a Title in a Women’s Series
After years of racing in male-dominated grids, Avalon sees the introduction of a women-only world championship as a vital step. “I’m here to fight for a world title — something I’ve never had the chance to do. People ask me what I’d do if I won, and I think, would you ask Bautista that? No — you go for another one. That’s sport.”
She believes the championship will grow women’s participation and eventually lead to professional-level earnings for female riders. “Ana Carrasco proved women can beat the men in the 300 class. It hasn’t happened yet in 600s or Superbikes, but it’s possible. The challenge for riders from New Zealand and Australia is we often start later. There’s plenty of talent back home, but many are already in careers or university. If they had started at seven or eight years old, they’d be world-class by now.”
Racing for the Love of the Challenge
This season, Avalon rides with Carl Cox Motorsport in WorldWCR and sits ninth in the standings, with a best finish of fourth place so far. She’s quick to praise her team’s namesake for his support. “Carl has such a community-focused approach. He’d rather give a smaller amount to help someone race in New Zealand than pour it into a big WorldSBK team. He just wants to make things happen for riders who wouldn’t get the chance otherwise.”
For Avalon, the motivation is simple: “I love the challenge. Racing demands so much — physical strength, mental resilience, technical understanding of the bike, teamwork. Every race has ups and downs, but that’s what hooks you. It’s hard, it’s unpredictable, but it’s also a lot of fun.”
📸 Follow Avalon’s racing journey on Instagram @avgas
🔗 See her full profile at worldsbk.com
