Chasing Champions

Traveling

Sarah POV:

The first half of the season flashed by faster then I thought possible. Before I knew it, it was my time to start my rookie supercross season and hopefully make the show. I know everyone is saying that I got it in the bag, that I am definitely making the show. But so much has happened since I lasted raced. What if I don't have that killer instinct like I use to, or even have the focus to be able to take it all in at once again? I was sitting on the table in the pits biting my lip lost in all these swirling thoughts and self doubt, which in this was new. Yes I got nervous, jettery, and worried but never had I truly doubted myself on this level, which made me even more doubtful. It was also unnerving to not have my son around, as he was with his grandpa. I bite my lip and look down at my boots and shake my head, stand up and head to my bike. Grabbing my helmet off the handle bars and sliding it on, I start the bike and take off to staging for free practice. 

As I enter and pull up next to another rider I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. My eyes continued to look around in almost panic till they land on a set of blue eyes looking back at me. As I continue to stare back I feel myself calm down and think more normally. As the air horn goes off to signal 30 seconds till we can take off he smiles like a dork and gives me a thumbs up, making me laugh and look forward. Honestly I had no idea why I was so nervous because as I put down lap after lap I feel into the groove and felt at ease. When the checkered flag comes out I look at the timing board and see my name in third, my eyes widen as I stare at it in disbelief. Shaking myself out of disbelief I head back to the pits so I could talk to Axell about bike set up before going to watch the 450s. I see him walking up as I climb off the bike and he is grinning and tells me,

"Girl you were killing it out there! What the fucking hell?"

I laugh while taking helmet off and say,

"No idea man, just felt comfortable on this track"

As he goes to answer I hear yelling, turning around I see a group of riders all fighting. I watch with a frown till I see them all picking on a single rider that I didn't really know. I run over and pull a guy off of him as he tries to bust his face in a and yell,

"Ok you pieces of shit, go back to your damn tents, now!"

Most of them left but three stayed and were sneering at me and one said,

"And why should we listen to a slut like you? Probably slept with everyone to get where you are."

My eyes widen and so does the kids I was helping, I turn to look at him and slowly say,

"Yeah, I slept with every fucking 250 rider including my cousins to win the outdoor championship. Because that makes so much fucking sense. Now before I beat some damn manners into you I suggest you leave."

They were speechless before they left too. Once they were gone I turned back to the kid and smiled and offered a hand to help him up. When he was standing I looked him over for injuries and notice that all he had was a split lip and a black eye. I reach up and lightly grab his chin to get a better look and mutter,

"They got a lucky hit on you didn't they? You are pretty lucky, any deeper and you would have had to go get some stitches for that. Come here, we need to get some ice on that."

I turn around and hear him following behind me, when we get to my pit Axell already had a small bag of ice ready. Taking it with a smile in thanks I turn and hand it to the kid which he takes and gently places on his eye with a slight hiss. I sigh and lean back against the semi and ask,