Lierop, Netherlands – 5th Sept 2010 – World Championship

Nicholls back in the top ten through punishing Dutch sand

Several days after receiving the news that he will represent Great Britain for the first time at the historic and prestigious Motocross of Nations, HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK’s Jake Nicholls got his international campaign back on track within the sand of Lierop for the Grand Prix of Benelux.

After disappointment with an ankle injury in Czech Republic and then mechanical trouble in Brazil two weeks ago the young Englishman was able to take encouragement from 10th place overall in the rough Dutch terrain on his 250SX-F for what was the penultimate round of the series.

12,000 spectators watched the battle between man and surface and Nicholls defied discomfort from a sore ankle and wrenched right groin muscle to gain 13th and 10th positions in two of the hardest motos endured by the world’s fastest this season. A brighter start and slightly better rhythm helped towards his second race result and now Nicholls needs just six points over Christophe Charlier next week in Italy to confirm 12th place in the 2010 standings; which will be an improvement of five slots on 2009.

Team-mate Alex Eriksson had a tough introduction to Lierop and hit the ground several times on his way to 30th overall. The youngster gained some valuable lessons in the art of sand riding and is set to steer a 350SX-F for Sweden at the MXoN in Denver at the end of the month.

The Grand Prix of Italy at Fermo will be the fifteenth and final round of the GP term for the HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK team and will take place this coming weekend. The crew will have just a few days to prepare for the trip to Colorado and the 64th edition of the Motocross of Nations where Nicholls will wear British colours in the MX Open class against the best riders from 31 other countries.

Jake Nicholls:

“I’m a bit disappointed with today but I am looking at the results in another way and that’s two point-scoring rides when I haven’t been able to train because of a sore groin and my ankle still bothers me. My starts weren’t great but this was my best finish yet at Lierop so I will take them. I took my first points in four motos and it was important to come back from that little and unlucky dip. I’m over the moon with the news about being selected for the Nations. It was one of my ultimate goals to be picked for the team and I cannot wait to get there.”

Roger Magee, Team Principal:

“It was good to see Jake carry on his speed from Silverstone today and the results were another little step in the right direction after a difficult time. This is one of the toughest tracks in the series and I think Alex found that out today! Of course we are thrilled that both of our riders will be present at the biggest meeting of the year, the Motocross of Nations, for their respective countries but we hope we can finish the world championship on a positive note first next week in Italy.”

Results

MX2 Moto1

1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 39:38.851; 2. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:16.380; 3. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:47.631; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:04.997; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:11.754; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), +1:22.380; 7. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +1:23.686; 8. Nick Triest (BEL, KTM), +2:20.793; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 10. Matiss Karro (LAT, Suzuki), -1 lap(s); 13. Jake Nicholls (GBR, HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK)

MX2 Moto2

1. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 40:17.580; 2. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:12.174; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.729; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:48.507; 5. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +1:57.745; 6. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +2:11.606; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +2:29.973; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), -1 lap(s); 9. Valentin Teillet (FRA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 10. Jake Nicholls (GBR, HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK), -1 lap(s);

MX2 Overall result

1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 45 points; 2. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 32 p.; 5. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 30 p.; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), 28 p.; 7. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 25 p.; 8. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 25 p.; 9. Valentin Teillet (FRA, KTM), 21 p.; 10. Jake Nicholls (GBR, HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK), 19 p.;

MX2 world championship standings after 14 of 15 rounds

1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 613 points; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 524 p.; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 446 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 391 p.; 5. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 368 p.; 6. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 366 p.; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 361 p.; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), 356 p.; 9. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 345 p.; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 310 p.; 13. Jake Nicholls (GBR, HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK), 217 p