AMSOIL Swapmoto Race Series Rider Profile | Taylor Giorgio

Presented by AMSOIL

Age: 27

Hometown: Lancaster, CA

Sponsors: Fasthouse, Bray, Split Designs, Dunlop, OGIO Powersports, PNG, GoPro, ASV

We met Taylor Giorgio and her boyfriend Matt Dowsey last year at the races and have since enjoyed seeing them at the track riding and racing together on their matching Honda CRF250Rs on a regular basis. During the week, Taylor works as an ICU nurse but the weekends are all about moto for her. Matt, meanwhile, is a talented photographer who we have relied on for photographic help on several occasions. The couple was at Glen Helen for the first race of the 2020 season, and we decided to learn more about Taylor…

How did you become interested in motocross?

When I was a kid I grew up with brothers and my dad was really into dirt biking. So I started racing when I was a child. Then we sold all our bikes for a while, I got back into it when I was older, broke my back, and was off for a little while. Motocross was too addicting though, so I kept riding. I got really serious about racing when I met my boyfriend Matt Dowsey.

How old were you when you broke your back?

I was 16. I had spinal cord swelling and hemorhaging, I broke my T2 and T3 and shattered my T4. Initially I had a little loss of sensation. Initially I thought I only hurt my shoulder but when they started touching my back I knew something was wrong. I had tendon and ligament damage too in my shoulder. Currently I am struggling with a little scoliosis from my injury but I am undergoing physical therapy.

So how long have you been serious about racing again?

Probably three years now. I started racing when I was five, but I didn’t get back into it until I began dating Matt.

What do you do during the week?

I am an ICU nurse.

So you see some gnarly stuff!
It sucks because I see lots of dirt bikers coming through with some gnarly injuries. It makes me grateful at the same time because I see what it could have been. It’s a reminder of how fortunate I was when I got injured. This sport is very serious.

Why motorcycles instead of something more feminine?

(Laughs) I grew up with brothers! There was nothing feminine in my house at all. I grew up being a tomboy. I love mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking…I never knew what it was like to be a girly girl. Dirt biking just took it to a whole new level and I love being competitive with the boys and not be the typical girl that people expect you to be. I like standing out a little bit and this keeps me driven.

How tall are you?

I am 5’1” now. I shrunk a little but after my injury.

How do you make the bike work well for your stature?

When I first got on 250s I did a lowering link for the rear suspension but I didn’t like the way it made my bike handle. So my new Honda CRF250R is stock. The only thing I have done is adjust my bars and set the sag for me. I have lighter springs in the suspension to accommodate my weight, but that’s it. No cut seat or subframe. I have to start with one foot down but I just got comfortable with it.

So do you have some big starting blocks?

No, I just have one foot down. I keep my right foot up on the pegs. I tried starting blocks once but they made me feel squirrely.

Who’s faster between your boyfriend and you?

I’ll let him answer that. (Laughs)

Matt: She is. I’ll give her that. I have to chase her around all of the time.

Taylor: He is a lot smoother in the corners because he is more patient than I am. I get a little squirrely. And he has the height advantage.

What’s it like having your own professional photographer?

It’s nice, but sometimes it is a pain when he has an idea for a shot. Sometimes he makes me stop riding so he can take a photo.

Lastly, are you a fan of the Swapmoto Race Series?

I am! I like the people here. Everyone is really relaxed and here to have a good time. I like the way the motos are split up and how everything runs smoothly.