MotorSportsAlive Story
Jakes Nicholls leads Maxxis MX2 class
News Tuesday 22th March 2010
HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK’s Jake Nicholls put in a strong showing for the second round of the British MX2 Championship at Mallory Park today, to finish on the podium in third place and earning the championship lead in the process. Nicholls completed qualifying around the wet Mallory Park track in 10th place ahead of Superpole, where he was disadvantaged by a rider falling in front him during his flying lap, to finish 11th...
Meanwhile the injured Graeme Irwin, who has been unable to ride due to a troublesome shoulder, clawed his way from a steady start from 16th on lap one to finish in a strong 11th position. Also, Natalie Kane, who made her British MX2 debut in the main class finished in a very credible 22nd place, after qualifying 37th on the gate.
In race two Nicholls clinched the holeshot once again before settling into fifth place after a hectic opening few laps. The HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK-ace tussled with Elliot Banks Browne throughout the race to bring home his KTM 250 SX-F in fourth position.
Irwin gated into 13th, but dropped back to 16th in the opening lap. The 18-year-old Ulsterman battled his way to 14th by lap three, where he remained until the chequered flag, with Kane recovering from a poor start to finish in a strong 27th place.
In the final race of the day Nicholls, who has been suffering with illness prior to the weekend, gated into fourth position where he remained after a consistent ride to the chequered flag, to earn himself third on the podium. The KTM-pilot also took the championship lead and the red plate with a nine-point advantage over second-placed Zac Osbourne.
Irwin was a strong ninth off the gate, although suffering with fatigue in his injured shoulder, the HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK rider struggled around the choppy Mallory Park track, and ended the race in a credible twelfth place. Kane managed to race her way back from stalling off the startline to 25th, which is an incredible achievement as the only female rider in the UK to race in the main national championships.
Jake Nicholls #45: 3rd Overall
“It’s great to come away from today with the red plate, and quite unexpected as I felt a little underprepared having been ill for the last week and a half. I struggled in qualifying, and I was 10th going into Superpole. I felt I was riding much better for the flying lap, but unfortunately someone fell in a rut right in front of me two turns from the finish, which cost me a lot of time, although we still ended up 11th and that wasn’t so bad. In the first race I holeshotted but after a few laps a few guys came by me. I just stuck with them and managed to get a good rhythm to take them all back apart from Ken Roczen for second place. In race two I holeshotted but dropped back a little. I just tried to ride as good as I could, and in those conditions I am better over a longer distance, as I just lacked a bit of speed for the 20-minute sprints. In the third moto I was third off the start, although I had used the wrong lense colour and couldn’t see because of the sun. I picked up my pace and managed to close in on Zac, but rode a safe race for fourth. I was pleased with the podium and to take the championship lead is great, as we’ve been consistent over the first two rounds, which are actually my worst two tracks. Now our concentration is on the first Grand Prix, and I’ll be riding as much hard pack as possible over the next couple of weeks ready for Bulgaria.”
Graeme Irwin #555: 13th Overall
“I’m not too down about today, as I now know that I must go and have the operation on my shoulder, although we wanted to test it out and see whether it was strong enough to continue racing. It was certainly a different challenge for me, as I’ve never had to ride with any big injury before or suffer while riding. First thing the track was quite wet and I found it quite tough to get my rhythm in qualifying, as I hadn’t ridden a bike since Foxhill last weekend. In race one I just rode a steady race with no mistakes and tried to stay safe. I ended up 11th, which wasn’t so bad, considering how tough the track was. In race two I felt a little better on the bike, but the shoulder was so weak and I felt worried about dislocating it. In the third race I rode a fairly consistent race but it wasn’t where I want to be and it has decided what we must do next. We have a good package with the bike, and everything is in place, but I can’t hide how disappointed I am that I’m going to have to take time out to get my shoulder fixed. My aim will to be to come back as strong as possible, and start my Grand Prix riding in good shape in a few months’ time.”
Natalie Kane #144:
“For me today has been pretty good, as the aim was to get round and get some good races done. Qualifying didn’t go so good for me because it was real rutty in places, as the track was drying out. In the first race I got a good start and ended up 22nd, which I was happy with and the next race I recovered from a bad start to finish 27th. In the last race I stalled on the line, and was last off the start, but came back to 27th again. I have to say the one thing I found today is when people see me, they really seem to try and charge I guess because I’m the only girl, but I just kept my head down and concentrated on the job in hand. All in all it’s been a pretty good day, as the track doesn’t suit me so much. This week the preparation is all about hardpack and getting ready for the first Women’s World Championship round in Bulgaria. I’m really happy with how the bike is now, although we’ve got a few more things to test this week, and I’m looking forward to getting away to race in the World series.”
HM Plant Red Bull KTM Team Manager: Roger Magee
“Jake has had a good outing today, and his consistency has been rewarded with the championship lead. The track went from being quite wet to dry, and was tough in places, but he rode three calculated motos to finish third on the podium. For Graeme, after an uncertain week with his shoulder injury, the race today has put his shoulder under the ultimate test and confirmed he must have surgery before he continues to ride. This is a major disappointment, as he has worked very hard and put in a lot of preparation for the season. He will have his MRI scan next week, and is booked in for surgery on the 31st of March, before a number of weeks recovery before riding. For Natalie, today has been a good challenge to help bring on her racing. She has been working hard at developing her bike, and has earned three strong results today in the main MX2 class, which is a credit to her ability. We will now work with her and Jake on hardpack ready for the first World Championship event in a few weeks’ time.”
HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK would like to thank its sponsors: HM Plant, Hitachi, Red Bull, KTM, Trucks ‘R’ Us, Motorex, Tourism Ireland, Northern Ireland Events, Fox, Race World, Bott, Motorpoint, Pirelli, Cholwill Plant and Equipment Hire, Cycra, Venhill, FMF, Volleberg Motorsport, Renthal, One Industries, Edward J Magee, Press commercial bodyworks, Wiseco, TwinAir, EBC Brakes, Silent Sport Premium, Pro Carbon Racing, NGK, CTi, Samco Sport, GSPMX, Petersen Racing, Pulse Racing Products, Empire logo mats, High5 and Stolen Bike Co.
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