Laia Sanz

Laia Sanz is the most decorated trial rider in history and one of the most successful women in motorsports, with over 30 championship titles including 13 World Trial Championships and five Women’s World Enduro Championships—achievements that cemented her status as a barrier-breaking force in male-dominated racing.

EARLY YEARS

Born December 11, 1985, in Corbera de Llobregat, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Laia Sanz’s introduction to motorsports came before she could even walk properly. When she was two or three years old, her father placed her on the bonnet of his car—a moment that sparked what would become an extraordinary racing career. Growing up in Seva, Barcelona, she found herself immersed in what she describes as a “man’s world,” where all her friends were boys and she felt completely at home riding and hanging out with them.

Trial—the discipline that teaches balance, control, patience, precision, and focus through navigating obstacles on a motorcycle without putting your feet down—became her entry point into racing. It was the perfect foundation, teaching skills that would prove invaluable not just in competition but in everyday riding. As a young girl competing against boys, Sanz initially found it fun to beat them. But as her achievements grew more unprecedented for a female competitor, what felt natural became extraordinary in everyone else’s eyes. The normalization of participating in male-dominated activities during her childhood gave her an edge: she simply saw herself as another competitor, not as a girl trying to break barriers.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the handlebars and steering wheel, details about Sanz’s non-racing pursuits remain largely private. What’s clear is her singular focus on motorsports—both two-wheeled and four-wheeled—and her passion for the evolution of racing itself, particularly as technology shifts toward human-centric rather than machine-centric innovation.

EARLY SUCCESS

At just 11 years old in 1997, Laia Sanz claimed her first victory in the male category on an 80cc trial bike—an announcement of arrival that few noticed at the time but would prove prophetic. The following year, at 13, she entered the 1998 European Women’s Trial Championship (then an unofficial event) and promptly won it, defeating older and far more experienced opponents. It was the beginning of an absolutely ridiculous winning streak.

Her dominance in trial became almost monotonous—13 consecutive World Trial Championships, multiple European Trial titles (including 2008), and a 2008 Spanish Female National Trial Competition victory. She also placed third in the Spanish Championship TR2, competing against men. By the time she transitioned to enduro racing in 2011-2012, she’d already become the most successful trial rider—male or female—in the sport’s history. Her first Women’s World Enduro Championship came in 2012 in Italy; four more titles followed, establishing dual dominance across two disciplines that remains unmatched.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1997: First victory in male trial category on 80cc bike, age 11
• 1998: European Women’s Trial Championship winner (unofficial event), age 13
• 2008: European Trial Champion and Spanish Female National Trial Competition winner
• 2012: First Women’s World Enduro Championship title (Italy); Dakar Rally debut, 39th overall with coach Jordi Arcarons
• 2014: 24 Hours of Resistance (Spain) winner in A3T category with Francesc Gutiérrez driving a Seat León Cup Racer, 12th overall
• 2015: 9th place overall finish at Dakar Rally—best female motorbike result in event history and only female motorcyclist ever to crack the Top 10; Women’s World Enduro Champion with KTM as official rider
• Career: 13 World Trial Championships; 5 Women’s World Enduro Championships; over 30 total championship victories; first woman to win a stage in a motorbike raid (Merzouga Rally); most Dakar Rally completions by a woman (11+); every Dakar finish since debut (7+ consecutive noted); Morocco Rally 10th overall with Honda HRC
• 2021: Transition to four-wheel racing with Extreme E debut

INSPIRATIONS

Her father’s early encouragement—literally placing her on cars as a toddler—provided the spark, but Sanz’s motivation comes from an internal drive rather than emulating other racers. “Not just winning, but discovering my own potential, pushing myself further to achieve things that other people say are impossible,” she’s stated. Her philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: work hard, enjoy it, and don’t accept limitations others try to impose. When she made her Dakar debut in 2012, coach Jordi Arcarons provided crucial guidance that helped her achieve a respectable 39th-place finish—the foundation for what would become historic accomplishments.

REPUTATION

Sanz is regarded as a true legend of off-road racing and one of the most successful competitors—regardless of gender—in motorsport history. Her 13 World Trial titles alone would cement legendary status, but adding five World Enduro Championships and that historic 9th-place Dakar finish creates a resume that’s frankly absurd. Media coverage consistently emphasizes her trailblazing role, dubbing her a “champion without limits” and an icon for women in motorsports.

What sets her apart isn’t just winning—though she’s done plenty of that—but how thoroughly she’s dominated across multiple disciplines while competing primarily against men. Her trial background gave her exceptional balance, control, patience, precision, and focus—skills that translated seamlessly to enduro and rally raid racing. Her reputation for technical proficiency is matched by her mental toughness; trial’s psychological demands prepared her for the grueling multi-week format of events like Dakar.

As a role model, Sanz has become living proof that gender isn’t a limiting factor in off-road racing. Her move to Extreme E’s mixed-gender format, where male and female drivers share equal race responsibility, showcases her belief in demonstrating women’s potential rather than just talking about it. Associations with major brands—Honda HRC, KTM, GASGAS, CUPRA, and Red Bull—reflect her marketability and credibility within the industry. She’s pioneered a path that makes the previously impossible look merely difficult.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Sanz continues evolving as a racer, currently serving as a GASGAS ambassador while maintaining her association with CUPRA, where she’s exploring cup racing in four-wheel competition. Her transition from two wheels to four represents another frontier—characteristically, she’s embracing the challenge despite acknowledging others will have more experience. “I’m ready to improve,” she’s stated, echoing the mindset that’s defined her career. While specific 2025-2026 plans aren’t publicly detailed, her pattern suggests she’s nowhere near finished pushing boundaries. Her perspective on racing’s future is telling: while mechanics and technology will change dramatically, the spirit of racing—the competition itself—remains constant. For someone who’s spent her life redefining what’s possible, that constant competitive drive appears sufficient fuel for whatever comes next.

References:

Laia Sanz Official Website – About Me
Fast and Fearless – Laia Sanz Extreme E Interview
The Indian Face – 10 Things About Laia Sanz
CUPRA Official – Laia Sanz Racer Profile
Red Bull – Laia Sanz Athlete Profile
GASGAS – Laia Sanz Ambassador Profile
Clove Technology – Laia Sanz Career Celebration