Chapter 29 Koby
Koby
September – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
I have been a part of, and witnessed, a number of intense races across my career, and today is fast becoming one of the fiercest battles I have watched unfold.
The top four riders - Riley, Javi, Fleur and Cole - are pulling out all the stops. There are overtaking thrills and daring moves. The fans are on the edge of their seats, and everyone in the pit boxes are transfixed on the monitors.
“Is that rain?!” Felix asks out loud.
Shit. Rain is a risk. They aren’t on the right tyres. If the rain only falls on parts of the track, a wet race won’t be called, and we can’t get a new, safer setup for the riders.
“Tyre change.” Felix spins around and directs some crew nearby, pointing to the second bike sitting in the pit box, directing with urgency. He grabs a laptop and connects it to the bike, making sure everything is perfect, if we need it.
Felix has definitely risen to the new role challenge with Mitch helping in rally, and I’m grateful for his confidence and direction under pressure.
I move to be near Felix, if he needs me, but the moment I turn my head away from the monitor, the crew still watching collectively gasp.
Turning back, I see a single bike sliding across the track, into the dirt and slams into an air barrier.
The shot goes back to the frontrunners. Fleur, Javi and Riley - still on the track for a few corners.
And then we see them in the background. Red flags. Fuck.
Pit lane begins to rumble with the riders returning to their pit boxes.
Riley pulls in and dismounts, heading straight to me.
“Do you know what’s happening? Is he okay?” He hasn’t even taken his helmet off before asking me.
Shaking my head, “No one official has come through to give an update, and there is nothing on the screen yet.”
He takes his helmet off and stares at the monitor too.
Gratefully, the cameras don’t show what’s happening to preserve privacy in a medical emergency. But it’s hell for us to know that one of our own is okay.
Javi, Sophia and Mabel run by our open pit box. Mabel looks in and searches for Riley. Her face etched with worry. She spots him, and there is an unspoken conversation between them.
“I’m going to sit with Fleur,” he announces. Taking off out of the pit box.
We look around nervously at each other. Rendered helpless.
And all we can do is stare at a screen that has now turned black.
Fuck…