When Vanessa predicted that she would take first place at her most recent race in Las Vegas, not many people believed her. “Some laughed and thought I sounded a little too confident” Vanessa recalls. Was it was because she was woman trying to break into a male dominated sport? None of that mattered to Vanessa. Her love of motorcycle racing went beyond just breaking glass ceilings…
In 2011 Vanessa almost lost her life to it. She crashed while riding through a canyon in California and broke her back. For most people, this moment could serve as a turning point in their lives. A time where they may doubt their commitment. But all Vanessa could think about was racing again. “Being on the bike is the most freeing and happy experience I’ve ever felt. It’s been that way since I was a little girl. When things are going bad, I jump on the bike all my worries go away”.
Some people may not understand this kind of passion. Especially with a sport or activity that can be dangerous. But mores times than not, when you have a passion, you don’t pick it. It picks you. After she recovered Vanessa decided to race exclusively on the track. With each race, she inched closer to a first place finish. When turning the final corner this year in Las Vegas, she was exactly where she needed to be. She had already won.
