The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that motocross racing phenom Ashley Fiolek will speak at the Aug. 19 Opening Ceremony of the fifth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley Davidson and Buell, in Keystone, Colo.

The fact that Fiolek is deaf has never hampered her performance on the motocross track. She quickly demonstrated that she is a serious competitor in the professional ranks when she rode her way to the title in the 2008 AMA/WMA Women's Professional Motocross Championship. This year has proved to be no different. After the first four races of the 2009 series, Fiolek -- competing as the first-ever woman member of the Honda Red Bull factory racing team -- currently holds first place in the point standings. But she is not content to stop there. Fiolek intends to compete on the men's motocross circuit in the not-too-distant future.

What makes the 18-year-old even more likable is her genuine passion for sharing her enthusiasm about women in the motorcycling.
"I am really looking forward to attending this year's AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference in Colorado," she said. "I have been riding and racing since I was 7, and I think the advances in motorcycling sports that women have made are fantastic. I can't wait to meet other enthusiasts who share my love for being outdoors and riding."

"Ashley's accomplishments as a woman motorcyclist are as impressive as they are inspiring," says Tigra Tsujikawa, marketing and special events manager for the AMA. "I can think of no one more fitting to kick off our conference, and we are both honored and delighted that she will be joining us."

Registration for the fifth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell, costs $165 through Aug. 3. Registration after Aug. 3 (and any on-site registrations) will cost $185. The registration fee includes a commemorative t-shirt, and admission to all seminars as well as opening ceremonies on Aug. 19, a barn dance on Aug. 20, the International Street Party on Aug. 21 and a closing banquet on Aug. 22. Both the barn dance and closing banquet include dinner.

Participants can register now at https://home.ama-cycle.org/iwmc/registration/register.aspx or by phone by calling (800) AMA-JOIN. While the event focuses on women riders, it is not limited to women. Men are welcome to participate with a paid registration. Sign up for conference e-mail alerts at info@womenandmotorcycling.com, and follow conference updates on Twitter at http://twitter.com/womenandmoto.