Andrea Ranucci/ Giorgia Marelli
Defining a true motorcycle enthusiast can be tough, but meeting Juliette makes it simple. She lives that dual life every rider dreams of—balancing family life during the week with full-throttle racing on the weekend. A full-time mother and a fierce competitor on the track, Juliette is ready to push her bike to the limit and show the paddock what she’s made of.
We caught up with her to talk about her journey, racing costs, overcoming stereotypes, and her dream debut at the 24 Hours of Barcelona.
The Spark: From Road Riding to Track Focus
Hello Juliette, thank you for joining us! How did your passion for motorcycles and track racing begin?
My husband is a motorcycle and snowmobile mechanic. Living in the mountains, he nurtured his passion for engines from a very young age. Five years ago, I got my motorcycle license and we immediately tried track riding. After that first circuit experience, I never went back to the road. Since then, we’ve been traveling constantly, moving from one circuit to another for my races.
From your profile, we noticed you ride a Yamaha. What made you choose this Japanese manufacturer?
That’s all thanks to my husband. He has always had a huge passion for Yamaha, especially the Yamaha YZF-R1. From a mechanical perspective, it’s a versatile bike that he loves working on. Today we own two Yamahas—one for him and one for me—which allows us to share spare parts and accessories. It’s a smart way to manage time and costs. While I’d love to try a Panigale or a BMW someday, I’m currently thrilled with the R1.
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Family, Racing, and Managing Weekend Logistics
Full-time racer and mother: how do you balance family life with weekend race logistics?
My 7-year-old daughter loves coming to the track with us! When she was younger, my parents watched her, but now she attends every race and makes new friends in the paddock. It has become our family getaway—instead of going to the beach, we head to the circuit. She loves motorsport, especially when I get to bring a trophy home!
Overcoming Gender Stereotypes in Motorsport
As a female rider and a mother, have you ever faced gender stereotypes? Is the culture in France different from Italy?
The racing culture in France is quite similar to Italy’s. Online, gender bias is definitely real. Following many female riders, I often see—and personally experience—the classic online comments claiming women belong in the kitchen rather than on the track.
However, I’ve never faced that kind of hostility in person at the circuit. Nobody in the paddock has ever told me I shouldn’t be riding. Once male riders see you setting competitive lap times and outpacing them, their perspective shifts from surprise to genuine respect. On the track, lap times speak for themselves.
Navigating Championships, Budgeting, and Sponsorships
Which championship do you race in, and what are the operational costs involved?
I compete in the French Ultimate Cup Moto, an amateur French series. A typical season consists of 5 to 6 races with an overall budget between €15,000 and €20,000, assuming no major crashes.
Recently, I was also invited to race in the 24 Hours of Barcelona with the Spanish team Martimotos on a Yamaha R6. That single event costs around €4,000, but thanks to my sponsors, I was able to seize the opportunity.
Do you have a full team behind you in the Ultimate Cup Moto?
Right now, it’s just my husband and me. He handles the mechanical work, and local sponsors support us financially. Since it’s an amateur championship, we manage everything ourselves. My goal for next season is to secure a spot with an established team in the French National Championship and hopefully get official support from Yamaha or a local dealership.
Female Categories: French vs. Italian Motorsport Structure
In Italy, the Women’s CIV provides a dedicated platform for female racers. Is there something similar in France?
In France, we don’t have an exclusive women’s championship like the Italian CIV. We have the Little Woman’s Cup, but female riders compete directly alongside men in the general grid. At the end, two separate standings are published: Overall and Women’s.
A dedicated women’s series was attempted a few years ago, but turnout was low. However, with more women joining motorsport today, I hope organizations will reconsider setting up dedicated grids in the future. My long-term goal is to come race in Italy.
Preparation and Circuit Preferences
How do you prepare for physical endurance events, and which tracks are your favorite?
My daily training routine stays consistent regardless of the race format. Riding a 600cc bike for endurance is physically demanding, but continuous training keeps me ready.
As for tracks, it’s hard to pick just one. I love Portimão, Cremona, Le Mans, and Mugello. Each offers unique technical challenges.
Sponsorship Structure: How to Partner with Juliette
How can companies sponsor your racing season?
I offer a structured sponsorship package detailing my season goals, visibility options, and trackside perks:
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Main Sponsors (€2,000+): Full official partnership, prominent branding placement, full trackside access, and corporate trackday availability.
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Medium Sponsors (€1,000): Official partner status, targeted logo placement on team gear and bike, paddock guest passes, and team merchandise.
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Micro-Sponsors / Supporters (Under €1,000): Name placement on the bike. Perfect for small businesses or individual supporters helping cover essential costs like tires (~€300/set).
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Barcelona 24 Hours: Podium Finish (P3 Superstock 600)
Congratulations on the Barcelona 24 Hours! How was the experience?
It was intense from start to finish! Joining an international Spanish team as one of two French riders was an incredible adventure. Despite language differences, we spoke the universal “motorcycle language” and clicked instantly.
Our initial goal was simply to avoid crashing and finish. But as night fell and other teams encountered mechanical issues, our consistency paid off. After 24 grueling hours of riding through sunset, night stints, and sunrise, we crossed the line to take P3 in Superstock 600, P1 in the Female Class, and P18 Overall!
Rapid Fire: Juliette in 3 Words
If you had to describe yourself in three words?
Passionate, enthusiastic, and impatient! I like to move fast—both on the track and in life.
What’s Next?
The next step is targeting the top step of the podium in the upcoming Ultimate Cup Moto round.
Motorsport is beautiful.
Thank you, Juliette!
