Round 7 - A Rollercoaster Ride to Victory
The Spanish sun had warmed my spirit and fueled my training alongside the Riders Formation boys. But three weeks of hard work and camaraderie flew by, and the time came to turn my sights towards the UK. Sharing a flight with the determined Josh Raymond, who had been sharpening his skills with us in Spain, anticipation for the rest of the BTC season buzzed in the air. Arriving in the UK with the wonderful Bowes family, a sense of homecoming and readiness came over me. Oulton Park's Round 7 was upcoming, and with a focused chat with Coach Torres and a BTC track walk under my belt, I felt the familiar excitement building. A final jog cleared my head before going to sleep, eager for the challenges that lay ahead.
Friday morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the track. In FP1, I hopped back onto my bike and felt immediately at home. The bike handled beautifully, and I finished the session in second place. It was a fantastic start to the weekend, and I was eager to see what I could achieve. In FP2, we made some adjustments to the bike to improve its performance on the bumpy sections. The changes paid off, and I was able to shave over a second off my previous best time. Finishing the day in the top three was a huge confidence boost, and I couldn't wait for the qualifying session and race the next day.
The morning qualifying session started with ideal conditions - a bit chilly but clear skies made for perfect racing weather. I was on fire from the start, putting down a strong time early on. After a quick pit stop, I was back out and immediately improved my lap time. But with just under 8 minutes left, disaster struck. Going through Izzy's chicane, I was thrown into a brutal high-side, landing flat on my back on the unforgiving tarmac. Thankfully, no other riders collided with me, but the pain was intense. Despite the impact, I managed to keep my head from hitting the ground. The marshals helped me off the track, but it was a struggle just to get back on my feet. After a quick check-up at the medical center, I was cleared to go - and even made it to parc ferme for photos and my Dunlop hat. Even with the wreck I managed to qualify P3!
My incredible crew had worked their magic, getting my bike back in racing shape in record time. Although the crash left me with some lingering pain in my lower back and tailbone, mentally, I was unscathed. I was ready to push through the pain and show everyone what I was made of.
Once I was back on my bike, adrenaline flooded my system, masking the pain from the crash. I arrived at my P3 grid slot, laser-focused and eager to prove myself. My start was explosive, seizing the lead into Turn 1. I managed to create a gap, but a small error allowed a competitor to slip past. The opening laps saw a fierce battle within a large group, but I consistently remained in the top three. The pack eventually thinned, leaving four riders battling for the victory. I controlled the race for much of the second half, but a missed gear entering the final corner left me open to a pass. Although I couldn't quite make it to the line first, securing P2 and beating the championship leader was a definite positive. However, I craved more than second place.
Sunday's forecast looked uncertain, but nothing was going to stop me from achieving the win I knew I deserved. Sunday arrived as expected, promising a wet race. But the gloomy weather didn't dampen my spirits. I was determined to secure that victory. Warm-up was wet, but my bike felt fantastic beneath me, and I finished in P3, feeling more than ready for the challenge ahead.
Starting from P3 once again, I rocketed off the line with a strong start but was boxed in heading into Turn 1, crossing the line in P3 to complete lap one. We soon distanced ourselves from the chasing pack, creating a three-way battle for the lead. Biding my time, I observed the riders ahead, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When their pace plateaued, I seized the opportunity, catapulting myself from P3 to P1 in a single, decisive move. With 3rd place falling behind, the race became a head-to-head duel for the win. I had my strategy mapped out, knowing exactly where I wanted to make my move, and patiently waited for the final lap. Executing my plan flawlessly, I crossed the finish line in P1! This victory was monumental, especially with the championship leader failing to finish. The feeling of standing on the top step once again was incredible. It was a weekend of highs and lows, but ultimately, it was a triumphant one.
I'm filled with gratitude for everyone who has played a part in my journey this year. A special shoutout to my amazing family – even though they can't always be by my side, their unwavering love and support mean the world to me. I truly wouldn't be where I am today without them. I'm excited that Pops will be at the final round, and I plan on giving him a show he won't forget!
To my incredible team, thank you for your relentless dedication and support. Your guys effort is evident in the machine, and it doesn't go unnoticed. We have one more race to go, let's leave it all on the track and finish this season strong!
