DAILY BREAD LILLY-ANN PETTUS
Hailing from Hanceville, Alabama, Lilly-Ann Pettus is dialed to be a front-runner in 2025. Pettus knew she’d be a rider from a young age. She retired from cheerleading and pageants and has been on two wheels ever since. Lilly-Ann comes from a racing family. With a father who raced street bikes and a Mom with a background in BMX, Lilly-Ann was destined for a life on the race track. She says having parents who both raced makes her competitive edge that much stronger. Pettus had a great 2024 season, winning a variety of number-one plates and highlighting the year with a podium result at the Loretta Lynns Amateur National Championship in the girl’s (11-16) class. Late in the season last year, Pettus left the supermini behind and climbed aboard her first 250f, which she believes will make her a top contender in the 2025 WMX series. Pettus trains at MTF under the watchful eye of Colleen Millsaps. Pettus says the structure at MTF has been instrumental in breaking bad habits and preparing her to compete at the next level. That training has paid off early in the first events of the season. Pettus kicked off 2025 strongly with impressive rides at Daytona despite adversity before heading to Texas for Spring A Ding Ding. It was at The Ding where Pettus would dominate the field on the SX track, winning a championship and taking second overall in the Motocross portion. These impressive early results are sure sign of big success throughout the rest of the season. We sat down with Lilly-Ann to talk new bikes, cheat days, and training programs.
Give us the basics (Name, Age, hometown)
Lilly Ann Pettus, 16, Hanceville, AL,
Let’s start with how old were you when you started riding?
I started when I was 9 years old
Beauty pageants appear to be a passion in your family; what made you choose dirtbikes?
I used to do pageants and cheerleading, but It was never my thing. My dad bought a dirt bike from my cousin for me, and I remember I would ride in the yard all day after school and not want to go to cheer practice.
How did your parents feel about that choice? I know they are very supportive now, was that always the case?
That has always been the case considering my dad raced street bikes and my mom did bmx when she was my age. So racing is in our blood.
There are not many out there that both parents use to race. How do you think that has helped you?
It made me more competitive, i think.
Are you full-time big bikes now?
Yes, no more little bikes for me!
How has that transition been and how do feel about closing that chapter?
It was definitely a struggle at first but now I’m feeling way better on it. I was upset about moving up because that’s what I’ve always loved.
What has been the biggest adjustment for you?
The biggest adjustment has been getting used to the weight of the bike and how much taller it is. And the gearing is way different than the supermini. Small weight difference haha.
Why did you decide to go straight to a 250f instead of a 125?
I actually tried a 125 year before last. I hated it!!! I think the 250 will compete better in the WMX, or I hope so, lol.
Do you plan on racing any classes aside from WMX?
Honestly, I’m not even sure. I’m trying to figure out where I need to be!
How do you like training at MTF? Have you ever trained anywhere else?
I love MTF I have become a different rider being here. I have been to a few other facilities.
What makes MTF work for you?
I really love the structure of mtf & all the feedback I get. I had lots of bad habits & Colleen has helped me break them. Although I hate going to the gym, I know I need to, I don’t really have a choice there.
If you are having a cheat day what are you doing and eating?
On cheat day I would eat Crumbl cookies & ice cream all day, And I would be LAZY & binge-watch TikTok.
Do you make a few trips to the ice cream cone at the races?
I would say more than a few! Haha
