Nicholls In The Points at Kegums - KTM UK
Red Bull KTM UK’s Jake Nicholls was the sole representative of the team through a sandy and demanding Kegums circuit for the first ever Grand Prix of Latvia and the tenth round of fifteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship. The youngster rode to 20th position overall in the MX2 category thanks to results of 26th and 16th in the two motos run in cloudy and stuffy conditions.
An attendance of 32,000 travelled to the venue south-east of Riga that was excellently organised and presented and provided the riders of both MX1 and MX2 classes with a mean test of technical and physical capabilities thanks to the many jumps and rollers combined with the rough nature of the terrain.
Nicholls was the victim of a crash on the first lap of the qualification Heat and the incident set a trend for the weekend. Reasonable starts in Sunday’s motos and diligent application to reaching the fringes of the top ten were undone on both occasions. The youngster lost control over one of the bigger leaps in Moto1 and dropped down the order out of the points, and then suffered a slower speed tumble in Moto2 but still had time to fight back to 16th place.
“I couldn’t seem to get it right this weekend and had a fall in each race,” he said. “In the qualifying heat I had to fight all the way back through with top-ten times. In the first moto I got an average start but had a really big crash in the middle of the race which rung my bell. That was a sham because I was 14th and moving forward. In the second I was again hunting positions in the same area when I lost the front end in a berm; I just couldn’t judge it through all the roost. I came from last to 16th and I feel completely finished. Silly mistakes but I am learning how much they set me back. I tried my hardest out there and at least had some points to show for it.”
Stephen Sword missed the trip to the Baltic due to the hairline fracture on the small finger of his left hand that forced his withdrawal from the Grand Prix of Germany. The Scot should be back in contention for points at Uddevalla.
“Jake rode well again this week and but for a couple of crashes, should have made top 10 in both,” said Team Principal Roger Magee. “It wasn’t to be, however, and he lost some Championship positions to other riders. He did show, once again, his new-found turn of speed and we look forward to next weekend’s MXGP at Uddevalla. Hopefully, Swordy will be fit again to compete, and we await confirmation from Youthstream if Graeme Irwin will be able to obtain an entry.”
In the world championship standings Nicholls is closing on Sword in 18th and now holds 22nd position, 11 points from his team-mate.
Red Bull KTM UK will now complete their trek of three Grand Prix in three weeks with the trip to Uddevalla in Sweden.
In other news the latest meeting of the Under 21 and Open MMX Championships took place at Blaxhall, Suffolk. Graeme Irwin was 3rd overall (with 3-3) and is now on 166 points, as is Shane Carless and Scott Elderfield – a three way tie for the lead with 2 rounds to go. Alex Snow was 6th overall in the Open class and maintains his 4th spot in the Championship standings.
MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 39:56.178; ; 2. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), +0:05.504; 3. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), +0:05.765; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:12.918; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:16.400; 6. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:17.077; 7. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), +0:35.406; 8. Dennis Verbruggen (BEL, Honda), +0:35.870; 9. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), +0:36.058; 10. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Yamaha), +0:59.012; 26. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK)
MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 40:32.203; ; 2. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:14.133; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:23.789; 4. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), +0:46.401; 5. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), +0:50.211; 6. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:51.150; 7. Dennis Verbruggen (BEL, Honda), +1:27.441; 8. Marcus Schiffer (GER, KTM), +1:33.664; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Yamaha), +1:36.924; 10. Jose Antonio Butron Oliva (ESP, Suzuki), +1:37.871; 16. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK)
MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 47 points; 2. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 47 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 36 p.; 4. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 36 p.; 5. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), 32 p.; 6. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 30 p.; 7. Dennis Verbruggen (BEL, Honda), 27 p.; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Yamaha), 23 p.; 9. Marcus Schiffer (GER, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 18 p.; 20. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK)
MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 371 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 322 p.; 3. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 301 p.; 4. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), 296 p.; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 264 p.; 6. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 200 p.; 7. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, Yamaha), 197 p.; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), 197 p.; 9. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), 165 p.; 10. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 157 p.; 18. Stephen Sword (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK) 87p; 22. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK) 76p
JOHN DONNELLY TROPHY MOTOCROSS DOWNPATRICK MOTOCROSS PARK 27TH JUNE 2009
This Saturday sees the 2009 edition of one of the oldest races in Irish Motocross, the famous John Donnelly Trophy.
Promoted by the Killinchy Club at the Downpatrick Motocross Park, this event runs to a different race format to the normal Ulster or Irish Chanmpionships, and will be run as a ‘Fastest 40’ race.
This means the riders all qualify through practice for their relative group, the ‘Fastest 40’ riders on the day will then race for the famous trophy over three 15 minute legs with the winner over these three legs receiving the famous trophy, plus, of course, the potential £400 prize money on offer.
All the local stars will be there, and favourites have to be Dublin man Stuart Edmonds on his Elactraction/CCM TM machine, his recent win at the Bill Hutton Memorial event at the same venue maybe pointing the way to his form. However, Comber man Tommy Merton, always a real flyer at Downpatrick will be looking to avenge his second place in the Bill Hutton on his Moto one by TAS Suzuki.
His near neighbours, Wayne Garrett on his TSR KTM, and Scott Kawasakis Gary Gibson from Ballygowan will also be after a slice of the glory, and Lisburn revelation of the season, Richard Bird will not be too far away on his Watt KTM.
All these riders are mounted on the big powerful 450cc machines, and it is hard to see anyone on a 250cc machine picking up the trophy, but AJ Plumbing teammates Jason Garrett and David Gorman will be there or thereabouts, and young flyers such as Michael McCammond and his TSR KTM teammate Jordan Scott will be trying too, along with Jim O’Neill on the Moto One by TAS Suzuki, Adam Clifford from Carrick and others will be doing their best against the more powerful machines on the hills of the Downpatrick track.
In the Quad class, running to a similar format, perm any one from ex British Champion Justin Reid from Comber, David Wray, reigning Ulster Champion, Ricky Toye, Michael McAnaney, or Sean Goss for the winner over three legs.
An exciting days racing in prospect, kicking off with qualifying at 1000, racing around 1200, entry £5.00, under 14’s free, and the track will be signposted off the main Downpatrick to Clough road.
Rikki Priest Training Academy Set To Return to Ireland
UlsterMotocross.com has the pleasure to announce the return of the Rikki Priest Training Academy back to Ireland. On the 11th and 12th of July at Dundalk MotoX Park Rikki has planned another of his very successful draining academies. To book your place on either of the days you’ll need to call Rikki a.s.a.p. as these 2 training days will fill up FAST. Tel: 07974 641 913
For those of you that still haven’t had the chance to experience some of the best motocross coaching the UK has to offer, we are pleased to offer 1 lucky UlsterMotocross.com viewer the chance to attend either of the days by entering our exclusive Rikki Priest Competition. To enter the competition all you have to do is answer the following question correctly and email your answer to editor@ulstermotocross.com by Thursday the 9th of July 09.
Question: From what age has Rikki Priest been racing motocross from? (Tip: You’ll find the answer by looking at Rikki’s website www.mxcoach.co.uk)
Charity Scramble for Christian Aid
Northern Ireland Classic Scrambles club will dig deep next weekend the 12th and 13th of June in support of Christian Aid’s Food Security projects. A two-day charity motocross has been organised in conjunction with the N.I classic scrambles club and Finnebrogue Venison.
The landowner Dennis Lynn has donated the land at Finnebrogue estate ( www.finnebrogue.com) near Killyleagh for the event, one which is hoped could become an annual spot in the club calendar. The country estate and working venison and pig farm boasts massive acreage of rolling hills ideally sculpted for vintage and classic motocross. It is hoped to attract an International field of competitors for what is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the province with rider numbers increasing almost 3 fold in the last year. Up to 100 Riders are expected from Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland to join the local boys as they take on the spectacular County Down terrain.
A full racing program has been put in place including Grade A, B and C pre77, pre 68, 500cc and 250cc classes as well as full junior and Sidecar support races.
Racing on Friday evening is scheduled for a 6:00pm start through until 9:00pm and Saturday racing should commence at 11:00am until approximately 5:00pm. Please note that the Saturday competition will form part of the Norman Watt Classic Championship so points are available to all club members, while prises will also be awarded for aggregate performances over the two days as usual.
Catering Facilities are expected for both days and camping is available.
Further information about the N.I Classic Scrambles Club can be obtained from the club Line 028 91872958 or the Secretary Davy Buckley 07775653940 or from the web site www.niclassicscramblesclub.com
Sword top British finisher on home turf
Round seven of fifteen in the 2009 FIM Motocross World Championship represented the home Grand Prix for the Red Bull KTM UK team and a hot and sunny Mallory Park, crowded by a public of 35,000 saw Stephen Sword finish as the top British rider with 11th position and a second moto result of 6th; his second highest of the season so far.
The weekend didn’t start on the best foot with Sword and team-mate Jake Nicholls again struggling to enter the first half of the field in the qualification heat. The second year for the British Grand Prix at Mallory Park saw some alterations to the windy and demanding circuit; a layout very busy with jumps and difficult for overtaking due to the varying softness of the loose, stony terrain.
Despite his lowly gate position for Sunday, Sword enjoyed arguably two of his best starts of the year, rounding the first corner in fourth and then second positions at the beginning of each sprint; the roar of engines matched by hearty vocal support by the surrounding public.
Sadly a spluttering rhythm saw the former British Champion lose positions to cross the line down in thirteenth. It was an outcome he was determined to reverse for the second race. Sword gallantly held his pace with the glut of French riders at the front of the field later in the afternoon (despite a small crash) and enjoyed split times that were among the fastest on the track. By the chequered flag he gave the team reason for cheer with 6th and hopefully a stepping stone to better results in the coming month with four rounds in the next five weeks.
“My starts were good all day,” he recounted. “In the first race I settled and was holding sixth place comfortably but then I started to tighten up and lost rhythm. The track had bumps everywhere and was really technical in sections. I was struggling to get the corners right and that’s what buggered my first race up really.”
“In the second one I was desperate to get a top six finish,” he continued. “I got another good start and was second behind Rui. The track had been watered so I knew the first few riders would be able to break away. I got my head down but the top three were a little bit faster all day. It was the last section where I was losing all my time; the first two splits were good and I was as fast as the front guys, so it was shame I could not get that sorted. I slipped off when I lost the front in a corner and the heat hit me but I was able to try and catch Van Horebeek near the end and also keep Boog away. I was pleased to take sixth and need to bang away as many similar results as possible. I would like to think this might be a turning point after a rough year so far.”
Jake Nicholls was 15th overall with positions of 15th and 17th in what was his first British Grand Prix. The youngster was one of the many riders desperate to find effective passing opportunities. “This is the first time I have raced at the British Grand Prix so it was a bit weird, in the past I have never got past qualification,” commented Nicholls. “I struggled a little bit at the start of both races with the pace. In the first I got arm-pump but I came strong at the end and in the second one my pace was good in the second half of the moto but I just couldn’t find a way past; I think this is the hardest track I have ever ridden for overtaking. Overall it was a really tough set of races but I am quite happy with the way I rode.”
Mallory Park also gave a stage for Graeme Irwin and British Under 21 champion Alex Snow to join the Grand Prix fraternity. Irwin missed out on the points both times in what was a tough but educational first taste of the world championship, while a similar story lay in store for Snow, who was the team’s sole representative in the MX1 category for his international debut on the bigger machine.
“The weekend started off averagely but Stephen was able to prove that he has the speed to run with the top guys and the bike was capable,” reflected Team Principal Roger Magee. “Jake put in another two good point scores and keeps on pegging away at the championship standings and should hopefully by the end of the year be in the top fifteen. Young Graeme Irwin had a baptism of fire but he now knows what it is like to run with those guys, Alex had a good qualifying race yesterday and if someone had not crashed in front of him then he might have held 16th place. It was his first GP on a 450 so we could not expect too much. We will look forward to next weekend where the team will split again with the guys going to Ernee in France and Alex and Graeme heading to Whitby.”
Sword is 15th in the world championship while Nicholls is 21st.
The team now have a busy programme with the French Grand Prix at Ernee next week, then British Championship duties at Hawkstone Park before more world championship adventures in Germany, Latvia and Sweden leading up to the summer break. Snow and Irwin will be in Whitby next weekend for the latest Red Bull Nationals event.
MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 39:28.219; ; 2. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:05.712; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:21.694; 4. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), +0:28.602; 5. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), +0:29.792; 6. Anthony Boissiere (FRA, KTM), +0:31.532; 7. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), +0:40.667; 8. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:42.617; 9. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), +0:45.415; 10. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), +0:46.617; 13. Stephen Sword (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK); 15. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK)
MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 40:08.249; ; 2. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), +0:03.512; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:26.587; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:35.929; 5. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:38.757; 6. Stephen Sword (GBR, KTM), +0:40.706; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), +0:41.716; 8. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), +0:50.100; 9. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), +0:52.314; 10. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), +1:05.873; 17. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK)
MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 42 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 38 p.; 4. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 29 p.; 6. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), 29 p.; 7. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), 28 p.; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), 25 p.; 9. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 25 p.; 10. Anthony Boissiere (FRA, KTM), 25 p.; 11. Stephen Sword (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK), 23 p; 15. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK), 10 p
MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 234 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 219 p.; 3. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), 208 p.; 4. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 202 p.; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 178 p.; 6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), 166 p.; 7. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, Yamaha), 136 p.; 8. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 118 p.; 9. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), 115 p.; 10. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 100 p.; 15. Stephen Sword (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK) 84 p; 21. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Red Bull KTM UK), 52 p
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