Campo Grande, Brazil – 22nd August 2010 – World Championship

Nicholls thwarted by mechanical misfortune in Brazil

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK took the long flight back home after the Grand Prix of Brazil with Jake Nicholls disappointed not to have picked up any points due to technical trouble. The thirteen round of fifteen in the 2010 FIM Motocross World Championship took place at the new Campo Grande circuit near the western border of the country and a jumpy and varied layout provided a hard-pack, fun and demanding test in typically hot conditions.

The weekend started on a sticky note after the dust and dropping sunshine of Saturday made for a problematic Qualification Heat and Nicholls was unsighted to run off the track and rejoin almost last. He fought back to 12th but was at the rear end of the group of GP regulars. His fortunes would not improve on Sunday. An engine problem ended his participation after just two laps in Moto1 and although the team where able to quickly switch units another unusual gremlin caused a similar outcome in the second race.

It was a demoralising situation for the team after the hefty flights and trip across the Atlantic but Nicholls now has to forget, move on and muster-up his guile to challenge Zach Osborne for the Maxxis British Championship at Silverstone and the penultimate round next weekend.

“I don’t know quite what to say,” he lamented in the Campo Grande paddock. “I feel a bit mentally destroyed at the moment. I can’t believe we came all this way for nothing. I know mechanical problems are something that is very much part of the sport but it is never easy to take. My confidence has taken a hit recently and I need to come back fighting to get back on my feet and end the season like I started.”

Nicholls is currently 13th in the World Championship and 21 points behind Christophe Charlier. In the national campaign he is just 44 points behind leader Osborne with 150 still left to win.

Results

MX2 World Championship standings after 13 of 15 rounds

1. Marvin Musquin (571); 2. Ken Roczen (499); 3. Steven Frossard (430); 4. Jeffrey Herlings (391); 5. Zach Osborne (343); 6. Jeremy van Horebeek (337); 7. Shaun Simpson (329); 8. Arnaud Tonus (328); 9. Joel Roelants (326); 10. Harri Kullas (280); 11. Gautier Paulin (253); 12. Christophe Charlier (219); 13. Jake Nicholls (198); 14. Alessandro Lupino (165); 15. Dennis Verbruggen (148); 16. Matiss Karro (120); 17. Valentin Teillet (104); 18. Nikolaj Larsen (80); 19. Khounsith Vongsana (58); 20. Michael Leib (55);

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