IRIS TEN KATEN, the talent and the smile from Holland

14/11/06

Iris Ten katen is considered, at the present time, like the fastest woman of Holland. She also represents the conviviality and the kidness of the Dutchmen.

Before the UEM European Women' s Cup, it was difficult to know the quality of the female european pilots. While taking part in the creation of this Cup we learned a lot from women of charactere coming from different horizons. In 2005, we were surprised at the performance of Iris Ten Katen in Schleiz where she finishes on the podium, 2nd in class 600cc: we became acquainted with THE Champion of Holland.
Both together with her father, coach, mentor, mechanic, throughout the season 2006 we really appreciated their kindness, their discretion and their availability, always ready to help you (see the report of Lydia Jean).
Iris talks to us a little more about her passion for the motor bike and the competition.

How old was you when you began to ride motorbike ? and why ? In which circumstance ?
When I was 16 my father let me ride his bike once, from that time I knew I wanted to ride a motorbike. At the age of 18 I managed to get my driverslicence for the bike before the car. I even ride with my fathers heavy Yamaha XS650 to highschool.

What do your parents and your friends think about this ?
My fathers is an old motorracer, he really likes me doing this. Mom need a couple of years to get used to the idea. Her opinion now is, "she can better race on the track than let her adrenaline free on the public road". My friends are very proud of me and really enjoying the fact that I am a racer.

Why the competition ?
I did a track day a year after I got my licence. It was such a good feeling to ride on Assen that I really wanted to try participating in races, and when I put my mind on something .....

What do you like in competition ?
I like competition because of the adrenaline factor. I like to battle with someone in everything that I do.

Do you have special trainig ? or special physical preparation ?
No special training ! To keep in condition I am riding my mountainbike twice a week and I like to swim. C'est tout!

Your ambition in competition ?
I am planning to quit motorracing after 2007. Because of my study medicine I am in 2007 not able to complete a full racing season. Therefore I can't answer the question about ambition.

Your best memory in competition ?
My best memory is the second place in Schleiz 2005. My first EK on the podium.

And your worst ?
Worst is my disqualification in Hengelo, how tears of happiness can suddenly be tears of dismay.

How is the world of motorracing in Holland ? and particularly for the women ?
The world of motorracing in Holland is very nice, I will really miss it when I stop racing. It's really easy to begin racing when you're nog that experienced, there are some "low" budget competitions with different levels, so also for women it's not difficult to start racing and have a good competition when you're not so fast.
I think we have about 10 female riders (how participate in competition) in Holland. (Some of them participated to the Ewcup 2006).

Thank you very much Iris, we wish you the best for your studies of medicine and see you soon.

Iris Ten katen :

Age: 26
Date of Birth: 30. June 1980
Hobbies: Motorcycle racer, Mountainbiking, swimming, snowboarding.
Job: Physiotherapist, 3e years student medicine in the university of Groningen.
Website: http://www.iristenkaten.nl/
http://www.vanwinkoopracing.nl/

2006
15th SUPERCUP 600
UEM EUROPEAN WOMEN CUP- class 600cc
- 3rd place in Vallelunga – April 2
- 1st place in Hengelo before the disqualification following a complaint of Ducati. - May 21
- 2nd place in Rijeka - June 18
- 1st place in Carthagene - October 22

2005
15th DUTCH CHAMPIONSHIP KNMV-CUP class 600 cc Honda CBR 600
1st place - Cat 600 cc B-group 22 July 2005 Assen
2nd place - Cat 600 cc - UEM EUROPEAN WOMEN's CUP at Schleiz.

2004
10th Vobis SV CUP Suzuki SV 650 S
2nd place - Cat 600 cc group-C

2003
APRILIA CHALLENGE Aprilia RS 250 6TH
3rd place - APRILIA CHALLENGE May 30 Eemshaven
3rd place - APRILIA CHALLENGE July 5 Assen

2002
8th APRILIA CHALLENGE Aprilia RS 250
2nd place - Aprilia Challenge Zolder 2002 (in both games) + Pole position

2001
29th ONK 125 cc Yamaha TZ 125
JUNIORCUP Yamaha TZR 125
1st place - Ladies Cup Val de Vienne

2000
KNMV-Cup Cat 600 cc Suzuki RGV 250