Dialogue: Tatum Sik

Most of you may know Tatum Sik as a front runner in Women's Motocross. But lately she has been a front runner in WORCS, and is falling more and more in love with off-road. Standing at just 5'5" the girl rips on a dirtbike. She's got the speed, endurance and agility; read on to learn more about the new Women's triple-threat.

You come from a very strong motocross background. When did your interest spark for off-road?
I actually just tagged along to the Phoenix WORCS race a few years back since a good friend of mine was racing. I ended up taking my bike, racing, and having a blast! But I never did more than a couple rounds of WORCS each year due to racing Outdoors. Somehow I keep coming back, and I like it more and more every race!

When you were asked to race the Enduro X event at X-Games last year, what was your initial thought?
I actually got invited to race Super-X at X-Games but ended up breaking my leg beforehand, which resulted in sitting out watching both events. I sent in a video to try and get into Enduro-X but I wasn't cleared to ride at the event. My first Endurocross was Las Vegas!

Tell me about the overall Enduro X experience/race...
Endurocross is gnarly! I was absolutely blown away at the skills you must have to get over that stuff. Unfortunately I didn't get much seat time before the event so it didn't go as well as I wanted to but now that I have a taste of things I know how to prepare for next time.

Will you try to qualify for this year?
I sure will! I'm hoping to get into 2 events at X-Games, that would be awesome.

Would you say Endurocross is an underestimated discipline of the sport?
After riding at an actual Endurocross event, I don't think words could explain how difficult it really is! Coming from just riding Moto and only watching Endurocross, I didn't think it would be so bad, then riding it myself definitely made me respect all the  riders out there!

The Endurocross season begins in May, are you going to go for the new Women's championship?
I'm not sure if I will do the whole series. I may just hit what I can depending on what my racing schedule looks like.

What is the toughest aspect of Endurocross?
I'm definitely going to say the Matrix is by far the biggest challenge for me!

You've been racing every round of WORCS this season, do you plan to contend for the championship?
If all goes well I plan to do the whole series, I really am starting to dig the off-road scene. I believe I'm catching up in points for the championship, I just need to stay on 2 wheels considering that's my biggest challenge lately. Each race has been an improvement though so I'm pretty pumped on how I feel. The DNF at the first round hurt me in points quite a bit though, but I just gotta keep racking up wins!

What do you feel is the biggest challenge in off-road that many people in motocross don't realize?
Staying consistent is for sure, it's my biggest struggle by far. It's difficult to put in solid laps for that long!

Finally, along with the off-road racing, will you be racing WMX also for 2012?
I'm thinking I may race a couple that are close, I'm kind of burnt out on Outdoors to be honest. Racing is expensive when it's out of your own pocket. I don't race for a living so it's hard to balance running a business and drive from Outdoor to Outdoor! I guess you could say I'm more pumped on off-road now.

Who would you like to thank?
Maxxis, Pro-Tec, FMF, Factory Backing, Alpinestars, Utopia, Universal, ASV, RideMX, Notoil, DNA Wheels, Barnett, TLD, Pant Saggin, and AGV helmets.