Amandine Verstappen

Belgian motocross racer Amandine Verstappen has carved out her own identity in women’s motocross despite sharing a surname with Formula 1’s biggest name, becoming a force in Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX) competition and sand racing.

EARLY YEARS

Born on September 12, 1999, in Belgium, Amandine grew up in a country with deep motocross roots but without the racing dynasty baggage some might assume. Despite sharing the Verstappen surname with F1 world champion Max Verstappen, Amandine is not related to the racing family—a fact that makes her accomplishments entirely her own. She developed her passion for motocross independently, drawn to the grit and physicality of racing dirt bikes rather than the glitz of circuit racing. Belgium’s strong motocross culture provided the perfect training ground, and she quickly showed she had the talent and determination to compete at the highest levels of women’s racing.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Amandine’s interests outside of motocross remains largely private, as she maintains a focus on her racing career in public-facing content.

EARLY SUCCESS

Amandine began making noise in the WMX series in the late 2010s, steadily climbing through the ranks as she developed her skills on the demanding championship circuit. Her breakthrough moment came at the 2020 WMX season opener in Valkenswaard, Netherlands—a home-turf advantage that she exploited brilliantly. Racing on Dutch sand, a surface that requires exceptional bike control and fitness, she dominated both motos to claim her first-ever WMX overall victory and capture the red plate as championship leader[1]. The win wasn’t a fluke—it was a statement. She’d shown she could handle the pressure of leading from the front and proved she belonged among the world’s best female motocross racers. That victory set the tone for a career defined by consistency and competitiveness in one of the most physically demanding forms of motorsport.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2020: Won WMX opener at Valkenswaard and claimed first-ever red plate as championship leader[2].
• 2024: Competed in FIM Sand Races World Championship Women’s class[3].
• 2024: Competed in Enduro del Invierno in Argentina[4].
• 2025: Competed in FIM Sand Races World Championship Women’s Moto class[5].
• 2025: Maintained unbeaten record through early rounds of FIM Sand Races at Bibione Sand Storm[6].

INSPIRATIONS

While specific inspirations haven’t been publicly documented, Amandine has competed alongside and against some of the biggest names in women’s motocross, including Italian legend Kiara Fontanesi, who dominated WMX with multiple world championships. Racing in the same era as such accomplished competitors has undoubtedly shaped her approach to the sport.

REPUTATION

Amandine has built a reputation as a sand specialist—no small feat in a discipline that separates pretenders from contenders faster than any other surface. Sand racing demands a unique combination of throttle control, balance, and cardiovascular endurance that few master. Her performances in the FIM Sand Races World Championship have demonstrated exactly that mastery, with dominant runs that showcase her ability to maintain speed and precision over brutal, energy-sapping terrain. She’s known for her consistency and mental toughness, regularly appearing on podiums and battling for championships in both WMX and sand racing formats. The fact that she’s done this while carrying a surname that generates constant comparisons to an unrelated F1 superstar speaks to her ability to block out noise and focus on what matters: results. She races with quiet determination rather than flashy bravado, letting her performances do the talking.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Amandine continues competing in the FIM Sand Races World Championship, where she remains a title contender in the Women’s Moto class. Her focus on sand racing suggests she’s committed to becoming the definitive name in the discipline, targeting championship titles in a format where she’s already proven her capabilities with unbeaten streaks and podium finishes[7].

References:

[1] Amandine Verstappen WMX Opener Win Red Plate First Ever – MX Link
[2] Verstappen Victorious WMX Valkenswaard – MXGP
[3] Amandine Verstappen Goes for Gold in Women’s Class of FIM Sand Races World Cup – FIM
[4] Kellett Verstappen and Violet Are the Big Winter Winners in Argentina’s Enduro del Invierno – FIM
[5] Verstappen Goes for Moto Women’s Title in FIM Sand Races World Championship – FIM
[6] Kellett and Verstappen Defend Unbeaten Records at the Bibione Sand Storm – FIM
[7] FIM Sand Races World Championship Goes Down to the Wire in Northern France – FIM
Amandine Verstappen – MXGP Results
Amandine Verstappen – MXGP
Amandine Verstappen Points – Racer X Online