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Elisa Gendron-Belen is a rising American motorcycle racer making her mark in MotoAmerica’s highly competitive twin-cylinder classes—proof that when racing runs in your blood and your dad’s a pro, you’re probably not going to settle for a desk job.

EARLY YEARS

Born and raised in New Hartford, New York, Elisa grew up watching her father, Bruce Gendron, carve his own path as a professional motorcycle racer. Speed wasn’t just a hobby in the Gendron household—it was the family business. By age six, she was already ripping around on ATVs and dirt bikes, treating two wheels and four like her personal playground. Her mother hails from Puerto Rico, and that connection would later become a significant part of her racing identity through sponsorship with Team Puerto Rico.

At 12 years old, Gendron-Belen made the leap from dirt to pavement and immediately showed she had the chops to excel. It wasn’t long before she was racking up wins and turning heads in amateur competition, setting the stage for what would become a meteoric rise through the ranks of American road racing.

OTHER INTERESTS

While most college students are content with intramural sports and questionable life choices, Elisa balanced a full racing schedule with academics at St. John Fisher University, where she graduated in spring 2024 with a degree in sport management and a minor in business. She was also a member of the women’s rowing team and spent four years on the varsity bowling program in high school, earning recognition as a Mohawk Valley Sports Honoree in 2021. Described by faculty as a “lead by example” student with an exceptional classroom presence, she proved that discipline on the track translates directly to success off it.

EARLY SUCCESS

Gendron-Belen quickly established herself as a force in CCS amateur racing, dominating with 24 wins, 11 second-place finishes, and five third-place results. By 2023, she was more than ready for the Expert class, and her ambitions reached beyond U.S. borders when she announced plans to compete in the Italika Racing International Women’s Cup in Mexico. In November 2023, she made good on that promise, finishing third in a Latin American International Women’s Cup race in Mexico—her first international podium at just 20 years old.

She entered MotoAmerica Junior Cup competition with Karns Performance Racing, aboard a Kawasaki Ninja 400, and spent multiple seasons developing her craft on one of the country’s most competitive proving grounds. Her progression was steady and deliberate—each season brought improved lap times, sharper racecraft, and growing confidence in the deep Junior Cup field.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2021: Named Mohawk Valley Sports Honoree.
• 2022: Competed in CCS amateur racing with 24 wins, 11 second-place, and 5 third-place finishes.
• 2023: Finished third in Latin American International Women’s Cup race in Mexico (November 5).
• 2024: Graduated from St. John Fisher University with a degree in sport management and minor in business.
• 2024: Competed in MotoAmerica Junior Cup with Karns Performance Racing, showing consistent growth throughout the season.
• 2025: Made her MotoAmerica Twins Cup debut aboard a Suzuki GSX-8R with BGB Racing.
• 2025: Competed as a wild card in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) round in Hungary at Balaton Park Circuit, joining fellow Americans Mallory Dobbs and Sonya Lloyd.
• 2026: Married fellow racer Levi Badie in Upstate New York on January 17 after a short engagement.

INSPIRATIONS

Her father, Bruce Gendron, remains her most direct inspiration—not only as a former professional racer but as an active presence in her racing program. Bruce has been instrumental in her development, offering guidance, mechanical expertise, and the kind of insider knowledge you can’t learn from a manual. Growing up trackside watching him race gave Elisa an early education in what it takes to compete at the highest levels, and she’s carried those lessons into every corner she’s ever taken.

REPUTATION

Gendron-Belen has earned a reputation as a hard worker with a steady trajectory. Team members and competitors alike note her consistent growth, both on and off the track, and her ability to handle technical circuits with increasing confidence. At The Ridge Motorsports Park—one of the most demanding tracks on the MotoAmerica calendar—she dropped an impressive three seconds off her lap times, a testament to her focus and adaptability. She’s described as someone who leads by example, keeps her head down, and puts in the work without fanfare. In a sport where ego often gets more airtime than results, that’s a refreshing approach.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Gendron-Belen returned to the MotoAmerica SC-Project Twins Cup Championship for the 2026 season with BGB Racing, once again piloting a Suzuki GSX-8R. With Karns Performance continuing to prep her bike and a dedicated roster of sponsors including Bison Leathers, Charlie’s Chop Shop, Certified Knee Draggers, and EvolveGT backing her effort, she’s positioned for another season of growth in one of MotoAmerica’s most competitive classes. Her goals are clear: keep improving, keep learning, and keep pushing toward the front of the pack in a field stacked with talent.

REFERENCES

[1] Best Week Ever: Elisa Gendron Belen – MotoAmerica
[2] Countdown to Commencement: Elisa Gendron-Belen – St. John Fisher University
[3] Wedding: Racers Elisa Gendron-Belen and Levi Badie – Roadracing World
[4] American Gendron-Belen On The Podium In Mexico – Roadracing World
[5] CCS Amateur Gendron-Belen Planning To Race In Mexico In 2023 – Roadracing World
[6] MotoAmerica: Elisa Gendron Belén Returns to Twins Cup for 2026 – Roadracing World
[7] Gendron-Belen Joining Dobbs & Lloyd At WorldWCR Round – Roadracing World
[8] MotoAmerica: Yet More From Teams On The Ridge – Roadracing World
[9] Elisa Gendron Belen – Women’s Rowing – St. John Fisher Athletics
[10] Sponsored Rider Spotlight: Elisa Gendron-Belen – YouTube