Round 8 - The Last Stand
Donington Park, one of my absolute favorite circuits, was hosting the final showdown of the BTC season! Fresh off an incredible victory at Oulton, I was feeling confident and ready to attack the track with everything I had. With a slim chance still lingering to snatch the championship title, the stakes were high and the pressure was on. My dad even flew in to witness the action, making it a truly special weekend. But there was no time for celebrations just yet – a crucial rookie selection event loomed on Monday, adding another layer of intensity to the weekend. Arriving on Thursday, we were greeted by the threat of rain, but thankfully, the forecast promised sunshine for the main event. This was it, the culmination of a season's worth of blood, sweat, tears and gearshifts. It was the last stand!
Friday morning started off with 50/50 conditions, so I only completed 2 laps on slicks because there was no real reason to be out any longer given my track experience and knowledge. The wind picked up exponentially going into second practice and with around 9 minutes left in the session it caught me out and took the front away from me going onto the back straight. It was a hefty tumble but lucky the bike and I were relatively ok and would be 100% ready for qualifying on Saturday.
It was a very brisk morning on Saturday so getting temp in the left side of the tire was going to be key for a quick time. I struggled just a bit in the session and unfortunately made a mistake on my fast lap, but it was still enough for second row on the grid for race 1. So far, the positions haven’t shown the potential that we have for the weekend so I was ready to give it all for the race.
I exploded off the line and rocketed into the top three before the first corner even arrived! The battle at the front was intense, a fight for every inch of tarmac. I was giving it everything, leading as many laps as possible, determined to keep my championship dream alive. But then, on the very last lap, I made a decision that would cost me the race! I took the wide sweeping line through the chicane and the championship leader made a daring move, forcing a block pass and ruining my line through the chicane. I was overtaken, crossing the line in a frustrating fourth. To add insult to injury, a three-second penalty for a yellow flag I didn't even see pushed me further down the order. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but the fight wasn't over yet. With a P3 starting position for the next race thanks to a fast lap time, I was ready to come back swinging!
It was a triple-header weekend, meaning two races on Sunday to make up for a shortened season. A long, crucial day with the championship still within reach – I had to give it my all. Race 2 started perfectly; I launched into the lead and held it as chaos unfolded behind me. A few riders crashed out, leaving just three of us battling for victory. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, my fairing stay snapped, making the bike almost impossible to steer! It took me precious laps to figure out what was wrong, and by then, the damage was done. Despite setting the fastest lap of the weekend with a broken bike, I was caught on the final lap and could only watch helplessly as second place slipped away. The frustration was immense. I had the pace to dominate, but once again, bad luck intervened. That victory was desperately needed, and it felt like it had been snatched away from me by forces outside my control. Although putting it on the podium is always good, we just needed more.
This was it, the final race, my last chance to grab victory. Starting from pole position, I got another incredible launch and took the lead! I pushed hard, desperate to break away, but the pack was glued to my tail. Then, on the last lap, heartbreak. I clipped the back of another rider, ruining my line and any hope of winning. We both stayed upright, but my dreams of victory vanished. Crossing the line in fifth, I felt a wave of deflation. The season, with all its highs and lows, flashed before my eyes. Despite my best efforts, it hadn't been enough. The feeling was empty, a kind of disappointment I'd never experienced before. But through it all, I never gave up. I fought hard, persevered through the challenges and controversies, and gave it everything I had. Even without a trophy, I proved my strength and determination. And for that, I'm proud. Thank you to everyone who supported me – you mean the world to me!
This season may not have ended with the fairytale finish I'd hoped for, but it has ignited a fire in me. I've learned, I've grown, and I've come back stronger from every setback. I'm already focused on the future, on the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. The journey continues and I'm determined to come back stronger than ever. I'm going to spend the offseason analyzing my performance, identifying areas for improvement, and training relentlessly. I'm going to be fitter, faster, and smarter. I'm going to be a champion.
I'm excited about what the future holds. I'm ready to take on the world, and I can't wait to see what I'm capable of. Thank you for your support and stay tuned to where this amazing sport will take us next!