This isn't how it was supposed to be. The premiere class, big new sponsor and more talent than he knows what to do with, the 2002 EA Sports Supercross season was Travis Pastrana's chance to show he can handle the 250cc. And now, the Team SoBe Suzuki semi, usually surrounded by security guards and hundreds of fans in a spiraling autograph line, is sitting in a race shop in Los Angeles instead of a Houston parking lot. The team's two riders, Pastrana and Kevin Windham, will spend the weekend recovering at home.

Controversy and confusion has most notably surrounded Travis this season, and it started with his mid-race departure at the Atlanta Supercross while he was running in second place. "Atlanta, I really shouldn't have even been there, but I went out and gave it a shot," Pastrana said. "I had the flu really bad and I threw up in my helmet at about lap five. I was just too dizzy to go on and at lap eight I ended up having to pull off."

Over 64,000 people tried to figure out what had just happened. From the stands, Pastrana looked strong, and was actually running the pace of the leader, Ricky Carmichael. Though not a big deal on most levels, before the race, Travis felt so sick he didn't come out of the semi for his autograph signing, an event almost as important to him as the actual race.

"I think Atlanta was the first time I've ever missed an autograph signing. I was going to try to sign after the race if I made it through, but I couldn't even see straight. I was just miserable."

A lingering illness has a past

Last season, Pastrana suffered a series of concussions that raised a lot of medical concern about whether or not it was safe for him to be on the track. Atlanta may have been the flu, but two weeks later in Daytona when he pulled off while running second again and then blacked out, fans began to wonder, "What is wrong with Travis Pastrana?" Concern over his head injuries buzzed. Travis said that's not the case.

"This had nothing to do with concussions or head injuries. That is what they originally thought when I passed out at Daytona. We came to find out that I had an upper respiratory tract infection, which does the exact same thing: lots of headaches, dizziness and fatigue. It's right along the same lines as a concussion."

According to Travis, the year has been an uphill battle and his sickness goes beyond the DNFs in Daytona and Atlanta. All year he's suffered from chronic sinusitis and it's been years since he could breathe through his nose. And oddly enough, he has a severe allergic reaction to dust.

"Yeah that doesn't exactly work well with motocross," he said, laughing. "I developed sinusitis, which gives you really bad headaches. Compounding that with the respiratory tract infection and then I came down with the fluŠ and then I was going to get my tonsils taken out too, but I got tonsillitis before Daytona and they couldn't do it."

Repairs and recovery

With a basket case of problems, Pastrana went to the doctor for surgery, March 15, to clear and clean the infected areas in his sinuses. So far, he's pleased with the results and hopes to make a return to the Supercross series for the final five rounds. "I should be good now. In the surgery, which they don't recommend, they probed my nose and used a laser to cut off a lot of the infected areas up there so I should be able to breathe a lot better and not get infected as often."

"A return at St. Louis is very realistic. I plan on starting my riding again very soon and with two weeks, I should be able to at least put in a decent ride. St. Louis, like Daytona, is one of my best tracks on the circuit."

Even in a series marred with crashes, DNFs and illness, Pastrana showed his true talent. After a disastrous first round, Pastrana landed on the podium three races in a row, leading two main events for several laps. Now, with no chance at the title, races can still be won, and of course, there's that old MX adage, "Can't wait for the outdoors season."

"I've got nothing to lose now," Pastrana piped up. "I want to stay healthy for the outdoors but at the same time, I'd like to give Ricky a run for his money. Realistically, my goals were top five finishes and win Daytona. I've done better in some respects. My speed is closer to the top guys than I expected. However, the results aren't half as good as I'd expected. All in all, I'm happy that I'm able to run with these guys. Really, that was my whole goal in Supercross. So for the outdoors I think I have a legitimate shot at winning."

Glory takes guts

For Pastrana, one of the world's most popular figures on two wheels, the last eight months have been a crucial turning point. Bizarre injuries and illnesses have put his championship hopes on ice, while the sport's followers question, not only his, but the rest of the field's will to win.

"To win a championship, nobody knows what these guys go through," Pastrana retaliates. "Last year, Carmichael was sick and throwing up with the flu for two straight weeks and he won both weekends. Stuff like that you can't imagine unless you're in his shoes. It's not worth all the money in the world to go out there and kill yourself. When your results aren't there, it's tough to get your mind on racing."

Racing professional Supercross, motocross and doing the X Games is a year round gig for Travis, and even though he may not tell the public, it's not uncommon for him to ride with the flu, broken bones, and separated joints. He and the rest of the field may seem like machines but even Superman couldn't overcome Kryptonite.

"We try to be invincible, but there comes a time when you realize, you can only do so much."

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