Alyssia “Lissy” Whitmore is Britain’s fearless motorcycle racer who never planned on a racing career—until two wheels chose her, and she’s been flying ever since.

EARLY YEARS

Born November 3, 2004, in Fishtoft, England, Lissy didn’t grow up dreaming of the podium.[1] Her father was a motorcycle enthusiast, and when Easter 2017 rolled around—she was just 12—he got her started racing in the British Minibike Championships on an IMR 140 pit bike, tearing up go-kart tracks across the country.[2] Her dad was all in from day one. Her mum? She needed a little more convincing. But once Lissy showed what she could do, the whole family got behind her, pride and all.[3] As she puts it herself: “I never really chose bike racing, it chose me.”[4]

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the track, Lissy’s inspirations reveal a softer side. She looks up to British motorcycle racer Jenny Tinmouth for her grit on two wheels, but she’s also inspired by Ellie Simmonds, the Paralympic swimmer—both women who refused to let the world tell them what they couldn’t do.[5]

EARLY SUCCESS

Whitmore’s early wins came fast. During the 2017/18 winter series, she snagged her first podium at Three Sisters Circuit and finished the championship in fourth place.[6] By 2019, her parents got her a KTM RC390, and after earning her ACU license at Darley Moor, she entered her first race meeting at Mallory Park that April.[7] She tried out for the British Talent Cup selections at 14 but wasn’t chosen—so she did what any stubborn racer would do: she kept going.[8] Club races in Thundersport GB followed, where she racked up wins and podiums, proving the selectors wrong one lap at a time.[9]

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2017: Started racing in the British Minibike Championships on an IMR 140 pit bike at age 12.[2]
• 2017/18: Earned first podium at Three Sisters Circuit; finished fourth in the winter championship.[6]
• 2019: Obtained ACU license at Darley Moor and competed in first race meeting at Mallory Park.[7]
• 2022: Signed with RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha alongside Chloe Jones.[10]
• 2023: Competed in England’s only road race at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough, stepping into the wild world of road racing.[11]
• 2024: Raced for Sekhmet Racing in the inaugural FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) on a Yamaha YZF-R7, representing Great Britain as the only British rider in the series.[12][13]
• 2024: Sustained a fractured right wrist and head trauma after a crash during Race 1 at Cremona; declared unfit and later replaced by Jamie Hanks-Elliott.[14][15]

INSPIRATIONS

Lissy’s racing number—#34—is a love letter to American GP legend Kevin Schwantz, whose aggressive, sideways style captivated her growing up.[16] She’s been close to meeting him a few times during the 2024 world championship season, and you can bet she’s hoping it happens soon.[17] Her motorcycling hero is Jenny Tinmouth, the British racer who shattered barriers, and outside racing, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds for the sheer determination it takes to compete at the top.[5]

REPUTATION

Known affectionately as “The Purple Princess,” Whitmore has built her reputation on grit, resilience, and an unshakable ability to get back up.[18] She’s tackled everything from minibikes to road racing at the treacherous Oliver’s Mount, and entered the inaugural WorldWCR season as Britain’s sole representative—a responsibility she wore with pride.[12] Despite injuries, setbacks, and a rookie season on the world stage, Lissy kept her head down and her throttle open. She’s scrappy, she’s determined, and she doesn’t quit.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Whitmore has her sights set high: she dreams of racing the Isle of Man TT, one of the most dangerous and legendary road races in the world.[19] The 2025 WorldWCR season kicks off at the TT Circuit Assen on April 11–13, and you can expect Lissy to be back in the fight, chasing podiums and proving she belongs on the world stage.[20]

REFERENCES

[1] WorldSBK – Alyssia Whitmore Profile
[2] Lissy Whitmore Racing Official Website
[3][4][5][11] WorldSBK – HER STORY: meet Alyssia Whitmore
[6][7] Motorbike Mad – Lissy Whitmore, a teenager to watch out for
[8][16][19] GPone – Lissy Whitmore: “I dream of the Tourist Trophy”
[9][17] Paddock Sorority – Seven Years Later I’m in the World Championship!
[10] British Superbike – RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha sign female contenders
[12] Females in Motorsport – Meet the women in the inaugural running of WorldWCR
[13] The Open University – Pushing through the speed barrier: trailblazing women in motorsport
[14] GPone – Head trauma for Whitmore after Race 1 crash
[15] Wikipedia – 2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship
[18] Lissy Whitmore Racing – Biography
[20] Northeast Bylines – WorldWCR: Who it starred in its first season and what will happen in 2025