Nicholls setting more landmarks
with 6th place finish at Mantova

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK’s Jake Nicholls continues to stride ahead in his development on the highest stage and with the potent KTM 250SX-F by scoring a personal best finish of 6th position in the second MX2 moto at a rutty and ruthless Mantova circuit in Italy for the Grand Prix of Lombardia; the second round of fifteen in the 2010 FIM Motocross World Championship and the second GP in a week for the British crew.

The recently-turned 20 year old was 8th overall for this second top ten finish in a row but it was his start and pace in the second 35 minute and 2 lap moto, in which he ran among the top five for almost half the distance that really impressed and is marking the Englishman out as the outstanding privateer in the class at present.

Mantova saw hot and sunny weather on Saturday but the typical climate was replaced by a chilly wind and some grey skies in the morning on Sunday. The track was a beast and as tricky technically – due to the varying degrees of bumps and ruts – as much as it was demanding physically. Nicholls gave himself a hard job with a mediocre launch in the first foray but made positions on his own steam to collect 13th from the depth of the second half of the pack. His eye-catching flight in the second race was the highlight.

After his bright start - the best yet in his young Grand Prix career - Nicholls holds 9th in the standings.

HM Plant Red Bull KTM will now have a break after almost two weeks on the road. The team will have back to the UK and begin to think of the Grand Prix of the Netherlands at Valkenswaard and the third meeting of the world championship in two weeks time.

For more information visit the team’s website at: www.ktmukmx.com

Jake Nicholls:

“I’m really happy. It has been a tough weekend. I was a bit sceptical coming here because I hadn’t qualified for this GP before. Yesterday I struggled to find my rhythm and the best bike set-up. I had a tough heat race but took 11th which was alright. In the first race I made a bit of a hash of the first turn, so I was down in about 23rd and I think it did me good because I found my feet and could make my own way without any kind of pressure. I arrived to 13th which I was pretty happy with. In the next race I made a really good start and got up there with the boys. The front three broke away but I tried my hardest and I did not feel uncomfortable. I was smooth and not making myself tired. It was a little bit of a shame that I couldn’t reach 5th but 6th is acceptable and we hope to continue in this way.”

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