Roller Coasters are much more fun at the amusement parks; they are better left out of your life- professionally or personally. This season is with out a doubt one of the roughest of my entire career. I am more than happy to simply filter through the year as a whole and collect the positives and completely erase the rest.

Above all my own personal distress and disappointment over the season results and injuries I feel I have failed my team, by that I mean not only the guys that work tirelessly in the work shop on the bike but also and just importantly the people, personal sponsors, companies, fans, trainers, friends, and family that have given me so much and supported me through every high and more importantly the lows- regardless! I can however sleep well at night knowing that I did do everything I could, to do the best job possible; sometimes the odds are too strong against you.

The weekend itself was difficult from the first session; on the first lap out of the pits a small electrical error stopped my bike. At one of the most furthest points from the pit, not wanting to waste the full session I started pushing the bike back- first it was a run/push, then it slowed to a jog/push then towards the end was a power walk/push. Thankfully the mechanics got to help me for the last part, although I felt like I had just run a half marathon!

They worked frantically finding the problem, by the time it was fixed I had caught my breath and was ready to head back out. Having a new suspension package to try I only got 4 laps in before the end of session. We decided to resort back to the old suspension for the rest of the weekend, after losing our free practice test session. As the weekend went on the track temperature raised a lot which affected us a great deal not only with grip but also robbing us of power as the engine temperature went up.

Race one I made a good jump but was forced wide at turn one, I made up a number of passes on the opening laps and by the half way point of the race I was clear of the riders behind and the risks to stay with the group in front was high, after a few very close calls I decided to settle for a finish and not give the mechanics any more unnecessary work.

Race two I made a much better start and went with the lead group for the first few laps. The pace was higher than I had done during the practice sessions, although it did not take long for that to take its toll on the bike and tyres. I was struggling to keep that pace then it started to sprinkle with rain, a 45degree plus track temp with worn slick tyres did nothing to help my cause. After my year I didn’t want to enter the off season with a injury.

As I crossed the line it was a strange feeling, for a number of reasons one was relief that the year was finally over and I could concentrate on the next. One that I hope most above all is injury free, that, will go a very long way towards assisting me be were I truly believe I belong on the grid, at the front.

Thanks to Arai Helmets, Spy Eyewear, Mi-Cut Australia, Swimming with Sharks Footwear, The Creative Ones, GiMoto Leathers, Impact Armor, Berik Boots, Gas, Race-Fit Training, and Musashi Health Supplements for their amazing support personally and to all the sponsors of the team. Warrian Enterprises, Silkolene, NGK, DID, and Kincrome.

Sincerely
Shannon