Jayden Holder first hopped on a motorbike when he was just 2-years-old. His mother Tiarna says Jayden could practically ride a motorbike before he could walk.
“From the moment he first spotted a bike, he knew he wanted to ride,” Tiarna says.
Jayden first started competitive racing four years ago, and he’s been speeding to success ever since. Tiarna says he had potential to become a great rider from the get go.
“The minute he picked the bike up he was already at the front of the race. We knew he had a talent so we made sure he would race again.”
“We’re so proud he’s found something he loves and also because he’s the only Aboriginal boy we know that’s won a NSW title.”
Jayden recently raced in a motorbike competition at Tamworth, where he became the first Aboriginal competitor to win the top spot. He is currently the number one flat track rider for the 7-10 age bracket, which means oil or dirt, Jayden is the best of the best.
"I just love getting on the bike and riding. It feels good to win first place," Jayden said.
Jayden dominated the 65cc division, winning all four races and his mum says his family was over the moon.
“We’re so proud he’s found something he loves and also because he’s the only Aboriginal boy we know that’s won a NSW title.”
Over the weekend, more than 1000 people will be traveling from all over to attend the in Kempsey, which will feature nearly 100 riders, and Jayden Holder will be one of them.
“Jayden has the style the same bike champions before him had, he has potential to become a riding star.”
This is the 27th year of running the Akubra classic and a representative from the says Jayden continues to be a rising star.
“Jayden has been riding since he could walk. He’s been with the club for a couple of years. He used to shock everyone with how well he could ride a 50cc and now he can get up to a 65cc and has taken to it like ducks to water,” she said.
“Jayden has the style the same bike champions before him had, he has potential to become a riding star.”
After a long week at school, Jayden can't wait to get back on the bike.
"I just want to ride again and hopefully I’ll come home with first place,” the 8-year-old exclaimed.
Chris Holder is a professional Australian speedway rider and an international champion in his field. Daredevil blood clearly runs in the family, as Chris is Jayden’s cousin and also his biggest idol.
Jayden has become the first Aboriginal boy under 10 to win two state titles. Source: NITV News
“Chris sent Jayden a video encouraging him on his riding and also telling him to listen to his father because ‘he knows best’. Every time Jayden races, we show him the video for encouragement,” Tiarna explains.
"you can’t come to my party because you’re black.”
Positive role models like this are exactly what Jayden needs right now, his mum explains, as Jayden has trouble fitting in at school, as his hometown is still clouded by racism.
“He has trouble making friends. A lot of the children are brainwashed with racism from a young age. The other day my boy came home in tears because a kid in his class said ‘you can’t come to my party because you’re black’”.
But now, with Jayden’s passion for riding, he’s able to make good friends with similar interests.
The mother of four works at a local Aboriginal nursing home and says she wants her son's talent to be recognised internationally.
Jayden and his racing friends Source: NITV News
“Riding is an expensive sport and we do what we can to get Jayden by but we’d love for more people to mentor and sponsor his dream of becoming one of the best Indigenous riders in the world.”
