Indonesian Rally Rider Irma Ferdiana Looks Beyond Women’s Titles

JAKARTA, Indonesianpost.com — Indonesia’s Heroes Day, observed every November 10, is more than an occasion to honor those who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield. It also offers a moment to reflect on perseverance and resilience, including the determination of Indonesian women breaking barriers in motorsport.

Irma Ferdiana is one of them. Born in Jember on July 25, 1991, she has represented Indonesia and won the women’s category four times at the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR), an international off-road rally held over demanding terrain.

Her achievements extend beyond the women’s category. She has also placed sixth and eighth in the overall standings, competing directly against male riders from other countries.

Behind those results, however, lie considerable challenges. Racing alone through remote areas abroad has tested her physical endurance, mental strength and ability to stay safe.

“In a rally, you don’t ride together as a team. You’re given a map or a roadbook — a roll of navigation instructions — and then you cover the distance on your own. Whether you’re riding fast or lost in the forest, you might not encounter another rider,” Irma told Indonesian news agency ANTARA on Wednesday, November 11.

She has lost her way alone in a forest and encountered packs of dogs far from any settlement — experiences that illustrate some of the risks of competing abroad.

“I’ve also been surrounded by a pack of dogs in the forest. Out in the wilderness, far from any settlement, anything can happen,” she said.

The physical demands are no less daunting. AXCR competitors can cover at least 350 kilometers a day, with some days stretching to 550 kilometers.

In the 2025 edition, which marked the rally’s 30th anniversary, Irma competed for eight days over a total distance of about 3,000 kilometers.

Riders must also read their roadbooks while controlling their motorcycles at high speed. Misreading an instruction can send them off course and force them to retrace their route.

“A competitor from a neighboring country once broke a leg. They were traveling fast and couldn’t avoid a large hole, then crashed into an oil palm tree. That shows how difficult this competition is, for both men and women,” Irma said.

The overall standings make no distinction between men and women. Irma competes against male riders whose technical skills and physical strength can differ from her own.

She said women need to understand their limits, particularly on damaged tracks, steep descents and stretches with deep holes. Speed is not the only consideration; safety must come first.

“There are still physical differences between women and men, perhaps in power or agility. We can ride fast, but we have to stay within our limits and keep safety in mind,” she said.

Not all of Irma’s challenges come from the course. She also has to manage the physical discomfort that can accompany menstruation during a competition.

Even so, she has shown she can compete in a field that includes both men and women, finishing among the top eight overall while also taking first place in the women’s category.

“It wasn’t winning first place that stood out most for me. It was finishing seventh, and at another time eighth — making the top 10 twice. To me, that was extraordinary, because I was competing against both men and women, and they were among the best representing their countries,” she added.

Irma’s interest in motorcycles began during her school years, influenced by her older brother, who owned a motorcycle repair shop.

A former volleyball athlete, she began taking trail riding seriously in 2016. She entered AXCR in 2018, when the rally first introduced a women’s category, and won on her debut.

Today, she lectures in the Faculty of Sports at the State University of Surabaya while pursuing a doctorate. She also serves as an official with the Indonesia Off-road Federation, an organization that supports off-road activities in the country.

Irma now helps develop a new generation of female rally riders. She hopes her international achievements will encourage more Indonesian women to enter the sport, taking trail riding beyond a hobby and developing the skills needed to compete.

She is willing to share her knowledge and help newcomers get started. In her view, Indonesian women’s rallying ability has already earned recognition in Asia; what the sport needs now is more women willing to take on the challenge.

“We’ve already earned recognition in Asia. Indonesian women are serious competitors. I hope more women will want to learn,” Irma said. [Antara/Bilah]