Multi-time Women’s Motocross Champion Kristy Gillespie won the 2011 Norske Skog Young Achiever of the Year Award, which recognises young athletes who have achieved outstanding sporting excellence, in her hometown of Albury-Wodonga yesterday.

Gillespie collected the prestigious award against a quality group of nominees. The 23-year-old was also nominated in 2009, but 2011 was her year to take top honours.

“All the other guys are pretty high class achievers,” said Gillespie “To get an award in company like that, it’s pretty special.”

Gillespie now joins the ranks of high-profile previous winners such as basketball player Lauren Jackson and pole-vaulter Emma George.

“Kristy is a dedicated rider. Women’s motocross in Australia doesn’t get the media exposure that it deserves but it is building all the time,” GMR Motorex KTM team manager Glenn Macdonald said.

“Winning awards such as this against main-stream athletes is incredible. She is one of the pioneers of Australian women’s motocross and deserves this recognition.”

The two-time Australian and five-time Victorian Motocross Champion has also recently been selected in the World Women’s Motocross Elite Top 10.

Gillespie is one of 10 women’s racers from around the globe that will converge later this season for media and a ‘race-off’. The concept is led by Stefy Bau, FIM Women’s Motocross representative.