With just a couple of weeks before the FIM World Motocross Championship riders head to Matterley Basin in England for the Grand Prix of Great Britain Nicholls is trying to prepare himself for the ride of his life. Sitting just outside the top ten in the World after missing the first four rounds of this year’s series really showed how hard the KTM rider is working to achieve his goals.

We caught up with Jake just after the Grand Prix of Limburg, a race he proved stronger than many could have imagines. With another top ten result to his name Nicholls is a happy man.

MXLarge: Mate, good ride in Lommel, you must be happy with that?

Nicholls: It’s been pretty good, we had the three Grand Prix’s in a row before Lommel and I was edging closer to the top six that I wanted. We had some problems along with way with the bike, and that has cost me some points, but overall we can all see that it’s gotten a lot better in the last month. I felt ok (when he came back from injury), but I worked hard when I had my broken leg and I knew at the time if I did that I would get back onto the bike and be pretty sharp straight away.

MXlarge: Lommel just doesn’t look like a circuit where you can find lines, are there lines, or you just have got follow the smallest bumps?

Nicholls: There are no smooth lines, what is important is to get a decent start and just try and push in those first two or three laps and try and get a position on the track. You need to get away with the top guys and if your legs feel good go for it really.

MXlarge: You looked good in the sand, making up some good times in some parts of the circuit, what is your plan going into a race like this?

Nicholls: I always try and go by rule of thumb, which is what Josh (Coppins) told me years ago and Ben (Townley) had told him, the best way around a deep sand track is the shortest way, always up the inside, no matter how rough it is take the inside line. I try and stick by that a bit, and then go from there really.

MXlarge: Saturday’s qualification race was a great ride from the back for you. Tell me about that race?

Nicholls: On Saturday in Lommel in my qualification race I figured the circuit would be like Enduro, but I wanted to get out and have two or three good laps early, that makes a big difference. I didn’t have a bad start, but some guy on a Suzuki came across me and I was like 20^th or something in the first lap, I just thought okay, try and pass as many people as possible. Then I looked at the board and I was 11^th and I thought to myself, wow that is pretty good. Then I got Roelants and Tommy and some other guys had some problems, but I could see a bunch of guys just in front of me and Tommy was one of them, so I was pretty happy with that.

MXlarge: And how was Sunday?

Nicholls: I worked hard in the sand for Lommel, so I wanted a good result there. I was pretty sensible around the first couple of corners. I made a mistake here last year and that crash cost me a lot so I didn’t want to do the same this time. I just went with them and set the fourth fastest lap of the race, which was really good. It was a shame that I had a little tip-over at the halfway stage and that cost me two positions and a couple of laps trying to find the rhythm again. The track was really heavy and rough in the second one but I felt good and caught Roelants. We were both being sensible but pushing at the same time. With about five laps to go I suddenly didn’t have any energy left with my lower back, I just wasn’t able to stand-up much more on the bike and it was frustrating. I was fit and ready to go but exiting the corners I couldn’t stand and get ready to ride the tops of the bumps. I’d never had that before here when I’ve ridden during the week. It kind of ruined the race from them on. I had another crash when I landed off a jump and went straight into a post. Obviously I have to work on it and perhaps ride Lommel when it is this rough in the future! I’m quite happy with two top ten placing and my sand riding has improved.

MXlarge: Of course the biggest Grand Prix for British riders is just around the corner. How much are you looking forward to racing at Matterley Basin?

Nicholls: I can’t wait for the British Grand Prix, I mean I missed out in previous years and back then I was just happy getting points, but now that I am in the mix of the top ten, I really am looking forward to it this year. I mean I already have good support in Belgium and places like that, so it’s going to be great at the British Grand Prix. The last one I did I was like 15^th or something, so I want to improve on that big time.

MXlarge: Have you ridden Matterley before?

Nicholls: I did my first ever Grand Prix there in 2006, and I loved it, I didn’t qualify, but it’s a great circuit. It’s a mega track and it’s got good viewing and there will be a lot of spectators, so I can’t wait really. I would love a top five, I hope the crowd gets behind me and that would be awesome.

MXlarge: I guess your aim is to get to that tenth place in the World?

Nicholls: I’ve moved up now and I can get top ten in the World this year, for sure. It cheeses me off a little, because I missed the first few rounds and I am just pushing forward and try and get good results and see where I end up really. On one hand I am not busy with it, I just want to get some good results and then it will take care of itself.