Theresa Baul
Injury is not uncommon for riders of off-road motorcycles as they push the limits of their abilities to improve their skills. Trials riding is no different, and usually, the riders make full recoveries from various broken bones and injuries sustained despite some of them requiring long and difficult recovery periods. One of the worst we have seen in recent times was the badly broken leg of Michael Brown in Japan, and fortunately, he made a full recovery. I had seen the young German lady rider Theresa Bauml as she progressed through her trials career in her efforts to achieve the ultimate goal of winning the FIM World Championship. When the news came that she was diagnosed with a brain tumour requiring immediate surgery in early 2019, the whole trials world took a breath hoping and praying for a successful outcome. As you read on, you will learn that the outcome was successful and, what’s more, inspired this young lady’s will to win even more.
With a new TTRS Germany contract, 2019 looked to be a good year?
For the 2019 season, everything seemed to be going well and in the right direction with the team, machine, minder and race calendar. I was looking forward to an enjoyable year. I had spent many hours riding and practising and trained especially hard in the gym. During the off season, I felt well and couldn’t wait for the first competition in 2019. I had planned the German Championship, European and World Championship as well as the Scottish Six Days Trial. It was a full timetable but with many great events to look forward to.
How did you find out about the brain tumour?
It all began very slowly. We had attended the TRRS Lover Day in February 2019 and had a great training week in Spain. I was a bit worried about the fact that I felt weak and didn’t know why, but it was not a big problem.
I gritted my teeth and all in all we had a good time. Returning home, I didn’t feel any better, and I had a little headache. During the whole of February and March, I felt the same, but
I was not overly concerned and kept going practising, and competed in some early events at home. I began to have headaches, some worse than others. Before the first two European Championship rounds on the 20th and 27th of April, the headaches worsened; I kept fighting as I really wanted to start at the European rounds.
The health didn’t improve though, and I struggled to finish the first event. One week later, in Monza, I was surprised that I had problems with dizziness and double vision during the event. After these experiences, it was a clear signal that I had to make another visit to see the doctor. An MRI scan revealed the diagnosis of a brain tumour. One week before the Scottish Six Days Trial, I decided to cancel the trip even though everything had been prepared and I was ready to go.
Speaking with the neurosurgeon, he explained to me the next steps and recommended an operation as soon as possible. It was really
“Before the first two European Championship rounds on the 20th and 27th of April, the headaches worsened; I kept fighting as I really wanted to start at the European rounds."
difficult for me to understand the whole situation. Fortunately, I took the best decision, as my health is the most important thing in life and I am happy that I went for the operation on 16th May. Considering that the headaches were getting worse and worse, I was sure that the procedure would be the only way I could reasonably hope to return to normal life.
You had the tumour removed?
After a four-hour operation, yes, the tumour was removed. Knowing that there was a high chance of recovering completely gave me a huge feeling of relief. The tumour was a meningioma which is a ‘good’ tumour to have – if you ever get one! After the operation,
I felt quite good. I had no pain, and the head felt free of pain, but my perception of my environment was completely different to normal, which I had to get used to. After a brain tumour, it is difficult to say how long the recovery will take. In the end, the main recovery took three months.
When did you return to riding a motorcycle again?
I was back riding at the end of June. But honestly, this was a bad feeling, with the different perception of my environment. It took a lot of patience and a lot of coordination training to get used to the new view of life. My first competition was the European
Championship on 10th August. It was my wish to start there even though I was far away from being 100% fit. I had some fun and enjoyed the event, which was the only important thing for me at that point!
How emotional was it to represent Germany in the end-of-season TDN?
It was an honour to represent Germany again, especially after this challenging start to the season. I felt better and better from training to training and did not doubt that this meant I would be ready to support the German Women’s Trial des Nations team. In the end, everything was fine, and I could prove once again to myself that my decision was justified.
“It was my wish to start there even though I was far away from being 100% fit. I had some fun and enjoyed the event, which was the only important thing for me at that point!
Tell us about yourself
I am 22-years-old, and I am studying Sports Medical Engineering, which is a perfect combination of sport, technology and engineering research. I am living in my parents’ house in the west of Germany in a beautiful village, Winningen, between Frankfurt and Cologne.
Why motorcycle trials?
My father and family gave me a passion for Trials. When I was six-years-old, I saw my father and uncles riding motorcycles. I was sure that I wanted to try it.
In 2005, I took part in my first competitions and tried to gain as much experience as possible. My first motorcycle was a 50cc
Beta automatic model and then a Sherco
50cc automatic. Soon I was in the German Youth academy, where the best young riders got supported by better and experienced riders, such as Iris Oelschlegel (Kramer).
She has always been a great role model for me. I competed a lot against the boys, and my goal was to start at a Women’s World Championship event like Iris did. My first event was in 2010 at the age of 12 (its minimum age requirement).
Tell us about your world championship career.
I entered my first World Championship event in 2010. In 2011, I got my first top-15 Championship points, and 2014 was my first podium finish in the Spanish world round. I had my best result so far in 2017, with a victory in Italy and third place overall. I had my first podium finish with Ossa, which was a superb machine to ride. It had fuel injection, which I really loved for the great technology. Unfortunately, I could not continue with Ossa because the factory was involved in problems that couldn’t be resolved.
In 2016 you moved to the Beta with Top Trial Team
Moving to Beta was an excellent opportunity to be more professional in many ways. I enjoyed such a good time with the Top Trial Team. 2018 was a ‘test’ year, riding a four-stroke. It was a good machine although for my riding style I prefer a two-stroke, but everyone is different and has to find out what suits them the best.
So, 2020 is a new start with Vertigo?
Vertigo Team Germany gave me the opportunity for a new start, and they clearly understood my exceptional circumstances of 2019. I am so thankful to have found a team that is 100% behind me and supports me so much. With the Vertigo, I also have a machine which fits my needs perfectly. I already loved the Ossa with its fuel injection, and I am happy to be back on a great machine with a high level of great technology. After COVID-19, I am sure that I will be back stronger than ever. At this point, I must say a massive thank you to all the people who have helped me and supported me wherever possible.