Emma Bristow, the eight-times World Trials Champion, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s first birthday honours list. The MBE, awarded for services to motorsport and women in sport, also recognised Bristow’s dominance of women’s trials, which covers 44GP wins and two World SuperEnduro titles as well as the eight World Trials titles.

“I am so honoured to receive this award,” she told MCN. “It was completely unexpected, all I have ever tried to do is keep improving myself and with it raise the level of women’s competition.” She went on to thank everyone who had supported her career, especially Sherco, who had “committed to women in motorsport above and beyond any other manufacturer.”

Emma Bristow might not enjoy instant recognition among mainstream motorcycling, but her dominance of trials started early. Growing up on a farm where her grandfather Geoff Traves and uncles Chris and David all competed, it was perhaps inevitable that young Emma – who began riding aged four – would follow suit. She began her international career in the 2006 World Championship, aged 16, finishing ninth, before going on to win multiple World and European Women’s titles.

Jim Freeman, Chair of the BMF, held up Emma’s career as an example to youngsters looking to enter motorsport: “Emma Bristow is a fantastic example to teenagers, it’s incredibly skilful and, for concerned parents, compared to motocross and track competition, its comparatively unthreatening. It’s also led the way for competition with dedicated ebike series.”

Written by Peter Henshaw

Top image courtesy of Sherco Motorcycles – Emma (centre) after winning the 2019 World title