2nd Attempt: Reflecting on the Red Bull Rookies Selection
This past weekend was a whirlwind of emotions! After a bittersweet end to the BTC season at Donington Park, it was time to shift gears and fully focus on the Red Bull Rookies selection. This was my second attempt, and I felt so much more prepared and confident compared to last year. I truly believed I was ready to take that next step and become a Red Bull Rookie.
The journey began with a flight to Malaga, where we picked up our rental car and headed straight to the track. The atmosphere was electric, with Red Bull branding everywhere – it was surreal to be immersed in that environment. Seeing all the other riders fueled my determination even more. I knew I had a real shot, and I was ready to give it my all. The night before the selection was filled with nervous excitement. I could barely sleep, but I channeled that energy into visualizing success on the track.
The next morning, we had an early start. After a quick breakfast, it was time to head to the circuit. I watched some of the earlier sessions, observing the lines and pace of the faster riders. It was incredibly motivating. Finally, it was my turn. We warmed up, got our gear on, and received a quick briefing from one of the coaches. Then, it was out onto the track! The bike felt a little off at first, but I quickly pushed that aside and focused on finding my rhythm. By lap four, I had already beaten my best lap time from the previous year – it was such a good feeling! Unfortunately, the session was cut short due to a red flag, but I felt positive about my performance.
After lunch, it was time for the second and final session. I knew this was my last chance to impress the coaches. Despite the bike still feeling slightly off, I pushed myself to the limit. I felt strong and confident, and I genuinely believed I had done enough to make it to day two.
The wait for the results was agonizing. As the coaches began calling out names, my stomach churned with anticipation. Each name that wasn't mine brought a wave of disappointment. And then, the unthinkable happened – they didn't call my name. I was crushed. I couldn't understand it. I had improved so much since last year, yet I hadn't made the cut. The feeling of rejection was overwhelming.
My dad and I retreated to the car, where I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. The disappointment was immense, especially after all the hard work and preparation I had put in. We ended the day with a delicious chocolate cake – a small consolation prize!
While the initial disappointment was tough to swallow, I felt I needed to return to the track and watch the final day of the selection process. I wanted to see from a birds eye view what the other riders were doing and how they looked compared to the videos we had of me the day prior. I am so glad I went back. I can honestly admit I wasn't at the level yet. I still need more work to be able to compete with the best kids in the world. I watched from various points of the track and could see what they were doing better. These guys know what they are looking for and they knew I wasn't ready. Took me seeing it to accept it as well.
Now, it's time to head home, refocus, and train harder than ever. This setback has only fueled my fire. I'm determined to come back stronger and faster next year. This is just a bump in the road on my journey to becoming a Red Bull Rookie.