2010 World Championships
Agueda, Portugal - 9th May 2010

Kane shrugs off broken hand for 4th in Portugal

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK’s Jake Nicholls recovered from a major spill during the first of two races at an impossibly-rough Agueda circuit for the Grand Prix of Portugal to place 13th overall with the 250SX-F as the team were able to witness an stout display from female representative Natalie Kane to place 4th in the Women’s category.

The fourth round of fifteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship (and second event of seven for the third edition of the ladies competition) took place at Agueda, some 90km south of Porto, for the seventh year in succession. 14,000 spectators braved rain from morning ‘til nightfall on Saturday to be rewarded with sunny skies on Sunday. The relentless showers helped carve the undulating track into a mass of rolling bumps, ruts and treacherous loose dirt.

After Maxxis British Championship duties in Scotland last weekend the British team again encountered inclement conditions and the slippery soil caught-out Nicholls in the first race of 35 minutes and 2 laps duration. The 20 year old caught the lip of one of the big triple step-downs. He didn’t launch over the bars but upon landing departed from the KTM and was lucky to be able to retrieve the bike and restart unscathed. He took 16th by the chequered flag and was able to attempt a drying course later in the afternoon. Sharpness out of the gate was rewarded with the holeshot and Nicholls settled into a pace that delivered yet another top ten finish with 9th, yielding 13th overall. It was fifth top ten result from eight motos as the likeable youngster continues his upward trajectory at the highest level.

Also sprightly from the start line was Natalie Kane. Less than two weeks after breaking the capitate bone in her right hand the 18 year old gritted her teeth and led the world in both motos – after two holeshots – and rode to 5th and 2nd positions for her ranking.

Nicholls is 12th in the championship standings and just 5 points from the top ten. Kane is 5th.

Round five of the FIM World Championship takes place at Bellpuig for the Grand Prix of Catalunya next weekend. The meeting will also be the third test for the women.

Jake Nicholls:

“It was a shame about the first race. I was starting to find my groove - even though I was struggling to pass Karro who was holding me up - when I had a big crash that was lucky to get away with. It shook me up a bit and to take 16th after that was a bit of surprise because it was a massive ‘off’. I bounced back in the second race and put my head down for a good start. It took a long while to find my way because the track was so tough today and could easily have caught you out. After half distance I really managed to hit my stride and was enjoying myself; I wanted another ten minutes to be honest! I have to try and liven myself up a bit earlier next week.”

Natalie Kane:

“I am really happy. I did not expect this result at all and thought I would manage just a few points, or be able to even make the finish. I got the holeshot in the first race and thought I was actually getting away but from the third lap I got slower and slower because I was just trying to hold on. I was happy with the 5th place considering. In the second I equalled my best result which I first got in Holland in 2007. My wrist is swelling up a lot at the moment so I am just going to rest this week and hope for the best.”

Roger Magee:

“Another good weekend for the team. Natalie showed some real guts and determination to run at the front especially after having laser treatment on her throttle-hand in the last week and icing before the race to try and help with the pain. She showed that she can probably make a play for the world championship if fully fit. Jake did not have such a good start in race one but battled through and survived a big crash. He had the holeshot in the second race and that is a credit to everyone who works on our bikes. Another top ten result and we can keep the pressure on for a similar standing in the championship. We will look forward to Spain now and then the USA where one of our sponsors FMF are helping us with the set-up over there.”

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

Photo Credit: ‘Ray Archer’

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