A Love from racing

Part Thirty Four

I was back, my suspension was over and I was ready to race. In the standings I'd lost and few points and was hoping by getting a win today it would put me back on top. It was the Spainish Grand Prix and it was a good track for me but it was also Jorge's home race, so he had the boost from the fans but I was confident today.

Sitting on my bike on the starting line I was in my zone, I put my hands on either side on the gas tank and closed my eyes it was always something I did, almost like a need to or a tradition.

I refused to do any track interviews, the rope around my bike wasn't open today because of that reason and of course I had on my helmet  just incase. Alison was here in Spain with me as were her parents who were looking after Esmaè back in the hotel, as the motor home I had wasn't very entertaining for a little one.

Soon my team and everyone dispersed leaving only us riders on the track. Once everyone had cleared the track the safety car came out to lead us out on a warm up.

After the warm up lap every rider lined up in their correct positions to start the race.

In qualifying my stand in, who stood in for the duration of my suspension for the team, managed to secure fourth on the grid which I could comfortably work with.

I looked up at the lights keeping the bike ticking over and myself ready for when they went out.

Not even a few seconds later I was pulling away from the start line gaining speed, coming up to the first corner in fourth position.

I didn't need to worry too much about Murley he had an awful time in qualifying and finished in twentieth place and I knew with him being, how do I put this nicely, shit on the bike he wouldn't be making it up to the front of the pack.

On the straight, out of turn two, I overtook my team mate pushing me up into third place.

I knew there were a number of laps left but I was feeling pretty good and confident already. I was in my zone this was where my skill lies.

Now with only ten laps to go I was still in third place. I had to make some moves and plays soon.

Just before turn four I passed Nakagami, taking second before gliding into the the corner and exiting to the short straight.

All I had in my sights now was Jorge Lorenzo.

I have alot of respect for Jorge, we were friends off and on track. I remember talking to him at races about Ali when she first started taking an interest in me, and our friendship grew. We had respect for one another in this sport and in life.

He wasn't one to complain. If he lost a race he'd work on improving. And if you got into a crash that involved him, he would always show up to your garage and apologise after even if it wasn't necessary.

We thought about racing in the same way, like we were on the same wavelength. And that's where our mutual respect stemmed from.

There was now a lap to go and this was it. I was picking the right time to make my move. I knew his bike was faster in the corners but slower on the straights.

We came into turn two, I was carrying abit to much speed and went wide but managed to recover.

Luckily it was just a battle between the two of us as we were to far ahead of the other riders by about twelve seconds.

As I opened the throttle out of the corner I knew on this straight I'd catch him.

I moved out to make my move, using his slip stream and passed by as we came up to the next turn.

In my head I counted the turns until the finish line and held him off from overtaking me.

Rounding the last corner I saw the finish line insight, I felt the sweat around in brow and under my leathers.