Pirelli Tire Secures Silver Medal at First-Ever Women’s Moto-X

Pirelli Racers Turn in Solid Performances on Live Television Network Coverage

Rome, Ga. – Three of the top six spots at the inaugural X-Games 14 Women’s Moto-X championship were secured by Pirelli Tire racers, including Sherri Cruse (2nd place), Jessica Patterson (4th place) and Mariana Balbi (6th place).


Riding on the Pirelli Scorpion MXH tires, the four female racers competed on the same technical, supercross-style track as the men. After a big win last weekend at the Woman’s Motocross National Championship at Washougal, Pirelli’s Patterson led the field through turn one with the holeshot. While Patterson was passed early on by Pirelli’s Cruse, it was only short lived.


Although Patterson regained the lead and opened up a decent lead, a crash in a technical section of the race track handed the lead to eventual race winner Tarah Gieger. Cruse finished second and was awarded the silver medal. Patterson charged to fourth place while Balbi scored a sixth-place finish.


On live coverage provided by ABC, Cruse, elated about her performance, was wearing a Pirelli hat while talking network viewers through her race.


“It was another great weekend of racing for the Pirelli’s emerging field of female racers,” said Josh Whitmire, Pirelli’s MX Manager. “It was milestone for us to have Sherri on network television wearing a Pirelli hat. This shows the diverse support that Pirelli provides in off-road racing.”


Women’s Moto-X Results

1) Tarah Gieger

2) Sherri Cruse, Pirelli

3) Taum Sik

4) Jessica Patterson, Pirelli

5) Sarah Whitmore

6) Mariana Balbi, Pirelli

7) Ashley Boham

8) Vanessa Florentino



Pirelli Tire North America specializes in manufacturing and marketing high-performance tires for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, ATV’s and motorsports. An industry leader in technology and quality, Pirelli operates its highly advanced Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) in Rome, Georgia, to better serve the American OEM and Replacement markets. For more information please visit: www.us.pirelli.com.