Nicholls finished a fighting sixth in the Grand Prix of Spain and then finished seventh in last weekend’s Grand Prix of United States. We decided to sit down with Jake and ask him about his successful start to the 2010 season.

MXlarge: Jake, you have really showed that you can run with the top guys recently. How has it felt for you?

Nicholls: It’s been good, I was talking about it before,  I was aiming for top ten finishes and that is pretty much how it started and the last Grand Prix I was sixth overall, which was my best result ever. Obviously it’s step by step. Generally working hard and progressing, but I am happy.

MXlarge: How about leading in Valkenswaard, which must have been something different for you?

Nicholls: It was good. It didn’t feel anything special, it was like leading my local club race. I didn’t feel that much difference, but when Herlings went past I thought okay, now this is a bit more serious. I thought it I can hang with him then I can pull a gap on my normal group, it worked, but then I crashed and went back to 10^th and stayed there. I just need good starts and try and keep with those front guys and keep away from my usual group.

MXlarge: Your speed has been good, but you have had a few crashes that dropped you back at times. How do you see it?

Nicholls: I have scored in every single race until now, and I have had a couple of pissers now. I start to push my level and sometimes I take too much of a step, and then you crash, but it hasn’t been too bad, I haven’t had any scares of anything like that. It’s just a learning curve really. 

MXlarge: Keeping your top ten place is not going to be easy with so many fast MX2 riders around you.

Nicholls: I had a 20^th in Valkenswaard and the guys around me have been consistent. I feel as though I am where I should be, but I wouldn’t like to be any further down. I am close to ninth and eight so I can make something on them maybe. If I can get a few more top five then I can move up a little.

MXlarge: Is the MX2 class faster this year than last year?

Nicholls: I got a seventh in Brazil, but then you got the new kids and people like Kullas, I don’t know if this year is faster, but it sure is fast. We have had fast tracks straight away and shocked us coming out of the winter.

MXlarge: How has your British Championship gone so far?

Nicholls: British Championship has been alright. I have to be honest I don’t  enjoy the shorter races, I usually come good after about 30 minutes. I am getting better at them, and it’s good for me to get better at them. I had a DNF and lost my championship lead and Zach has been riding really well. It’s good for me to keep up with him and beat him. I had that DNF and that happens and I am sure he will have some bad luck as well.

MXlarge: How did your trip to America go, can you give me an idea what you did before the race?

Nicholls: We came to America on the Friday before the AMA National, then went and watched that on the Saturday, that was interesting. I hadn’t been to one of those since I was six or something, so we had a look at that. Then had a look around San Francisco and rested some little injuries. We then headed down to Southern California on the Monday and rode Wednesday and Thursday so it was all good. I had ridden at that track a few years ago, but it was different, and not prepped like for the Grand Prix. It looked good when we came there. I thought it would get pretty rough.

MXlarge: What did you think of the Lites class at the Nationals?

Nicholls: The top ten were impressive, there were fast, but not like I was thinking WOW or anything like that. They are a little closer, like we have Musquin, Roczen and Herlings, but they have a big bunch of around eight. The racing was not that good, it was close, but nobody did anything, nobody passed anyone. If you watched it with five minutes to go on the clock then it got good. I enjoyed it.