MxLarge Story
Simpson, Nicholls and Townley - Their Weekends
News Wednesday 16th June 2010
In race one, following a restart due to a problematic gate, Nicholls scorched away from the start to clinch the holeshot and settled into an easy rhythm for the 20-minute plus two-lap moto. Nicholls controlled the race from the front until over half race distance when arch-rival Zach Osbourne began closing down the KTM-ace.
Nicholls continued to maintain a small advantage until the final stages of the race, when misfortune struck and he crashed heavily on one of the downhill sections, with his bike landing on top of him. After managing to clamber his way from under his race machine, Nicholls remounted and fought his way back to a strong third position by the chequered flag.
The second moto started similarly to the first with Nicholls launching himself into the lead off the startgate with another superb holeshot. The HM Plant Red Bull KTM racer got his head down and stretched out an impressive lead of over nine seconds by the mid-part of the race, and dominated to the finish line with an outstanding win aboard his KTM 250 SX-F.
In the final race of the day Nicholls didn’t get the start he had hoped for due to a slow starting gate, and he completed lap one in seventh position. This gave the KTM racer a real challenge around the Norfolk track, which had become super rough throughout the three races. Nicholls got his head down and battled his way to the chequered flag to finish in second position, which earned him another podium finish in second place overall. Nicholls is now second in the overall standings with 226 points.
It was hoped that the injured Graeme Irwin, who received recent surgery to repair the ligaments in his shoulder, would return to the track this weekend. However, with the focus on ensuring the injury is completely stable to reduce risk of re-injury, the Ulsterman has been advised to stay off the bike for a further few weeks. Irwin will then begin light riding along with his training programme, as he aims to come back to racing within the next month in full fitness.
Natalie Kane was also absent this weekend, as she is attempting to recover from the injury to her wrist sustained in a practice crash some weeks ago. Kane has ridden bravely in the recent Women’s world championship rounds, although the KTM-pilot is still undergoing treatment for a broken capitate bone in her wrist. Kane has been put back in cast following last weekend’s race to stabilise the injury, and is currently rehabilitating at home ready for the next Women’s World Championship round this Sunday.
Jake Nicholls #45: 3-1-2 = 2nd Overall
“Qualifying was good; I was pretty close with Zach in the first one, then in the Superpole I ended up third, which I was reasonably happy with. In the first race I got a good start and managed to pull away to begin with. I always struggle a little in the middle of the race and I also haven’t led a race since last year, which was a bit strange, so Zach pulled me in a little bit towards the middle of the moto. I stepped it up again and maintained my advantage, when right near the end I made a mistake coming down the hill where I lost the front end and ended up cart-wheeling. The bike landed on me and I struggled to get going again, but I got back to third. In the second race I got a really good start and rode hard early on, then just maintained the gap from front while conserving as much energy as possible. In the last race the gate didn’t drop properly, even though I used the same gate as the previous two races. I actually hit the gate but luckily it went down and I got away. I was up against it, but pulled through really well and got to second for second overall. To be honest I’m not that happy with it, as maybe with a good start we could have got the overall win, especially as this is my type of track and I like it here. We have just got to keep trying.”
Roger Magee: HM Plant Red Bull KTM Team Manager
“Things have gone well for us today. Jake had a good qualification, which gave him a good gate pick for the start. There was unfortunately a problem with the starting gate today, as there was a false start in the first race and Jake’s gate didn’t drop properly in the last moto. However, coming home with a 1-2-3 and a podium, still in contention for the championship with only half the races gone is good, so we’re happy. Jake rode well in the rough conditions and he’s certainly started to adapt more to the three-race format; in fact it was just one little mistake that cost him the win in the first race, but he’ll learn from that. We are now looking forward to Germany next week and the next few Grand Prix races followed by the Red Bull Pro National at Canada Heights. We also hope that Graeme will be back with us then, and we’ll have the team back to full strength before the next British Championship at Foxhill. Graeme has to be careful with his shoulder for a little longer yet, and we’ll be gradually building up his riding regime over the next few weeks. Natalie is also riding injured at the moment and she’s been riding with a lot of guts to get over the pain she’s been in. She’s had a cast put back on her wrist, where she has a broken capitate bone, to help the healing process, but she’s certainly determined to keep riding. It’s a difficult situation as she can’t train properly right now, although we’ve seen the speed is there, and I’m sure she’ll be battling for wins when she is healed.”
Factory Red Bull KTM rider Shaun Simpson lined up against mainly MX1 opposition at the Belgian championship meeting held at the ex Grand Prix circuit of Kester. Simpson used the opportunity to help make up for the time he lost during the early part of the season due to injury, by squeezing in this highly competitive national race in between his demanding GP schedule.
With most of the top MX1 Grand Prix runners in attendance Shaun knew that he was in for a tough day up against such a class field especially as they had the advantage of being on bigger capacity bikes. The track at Kester that sits amongst the trees and once was a famous GP venue during the Everts era remains a top class circuit, even if a little old school compared with the more modern offerings.
The grass covered surface soon gave way to soil as the initial twenty-five minute timed training session got underway. The twenty-two year old Scot quickly felt at home despite this being his first visit to this historic venue and actually enjoyed the challenge that this more traditional track provided. Gate position for the two main races was decided via a fifteen minute plus two lap encounter, which gave Shaun fifth pick for his afternoon outings.
Although the KTM teamster thought he would be out sprinted on the slight ascent into the first turn, he actually surprised himself by rounding the initial corner in the top three. The sheer power and speed of the MX1 bikes meant Shaun could do little to prevent both Leok and Van Horebeek (riding a 450 on this occasion) eventually overhauling him as he crossed the line in a highly respectable fifth place and ahead of Pourcel as the first moto came to a close.
Simpson was unable to repeat his lightning start in the second race, but still placed inside the top ten as the field filtered its way through the opening few turns. From here Shaun set about chasing down the guys in front of him with good effect and after a series of strong laps moved into fourth position. The MX2 GP contender momentarily surrendered this place as Pourcel powered passed him, but Shaun was soon back in the top four as the French rider crashed almost immediately. Even with the track now in its roughest state Simpson maintained his speed and his position to the end of the race.
A 5 - 4 showing was enough to give Simpson fifth overall, which was a pleasing result for the young Scot as he confirmed in his post race comments. "I have really enjoyed today, the track has been fantastic and has been a real change from what we are used to these days. I thought I was going to be at a major disadvantage on the MX2 bike, but as it has turned out I have managed to be in the mix all day."
"Although I didn't get such a good start in the second race, fourth was perhaps the best I could have hoped for today after being up against such a strong field. It's been a good work out and just what I needed ahead of next weekend's GP in Germany. Gradually I am now getting back some of the bike time I lost at the start of the season, as there is simply no substitute for actual racing, especially against these guys." Shaun ended.
Belgian Championship - Kester
MX1/MX2 Moto One: 1: Guarneri 2: Ramon 3: Leok 4: Van Horebeek 5: Simpson
MX1/MX2 Moto Two: 1:Ramon 2: Strijbos 3:Guarneri 4: Simpson 5: Leok
MX1/MX2 Moto Three: 1: Ramon 47 2: Guarneri 45 3: Strijbos 36 4: Leok 36 5: Simpson 34
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross championship has moved to the East Coast for the first time for round 3 of the 12 round series. Ben Townley put in a strong performance on his Luca Oil – Troy Lee – Honda with mixed weather conditions putting the Kiwi to the test at the High Point Raceway in Mt Morris, Pennsylvania.
With 6th pick of the gate going into Moto 1, Townley grabbed a good start and was in a top 5 position when he was challenged by Tommy Hahn in the opening stages of the race. Townley took some time to regain his speed but then picked off Hahn and Alessi in the same lap before rain made the High Point circuit muddy and slick. He had left it too late to reel in fellow Honda Racer, Andrew Short, and had to settle for 4th spot.
The sun was welcomed for moto 2 as track conditions dried out however Townley could not get the start he needed and was way back in the pack with a mammoth task ahead. The Kiwi put in an amazing charge from outside the top twenty and within 3 laps had rocketed to 7th place before he stalled his machine and was relegated down the field again. Townley took the bit between his teeth and once again charged back into the top ten when another error saw him go down and lose valuable time and positions. Determined not to give up Townley remounted and put in some blistering laps to finally finish in 6th place, posting the second fastest lap of the race as he came through the field.
“I rode really tight in the first moto and could not find my groove at all so I was not too happy with my performance. Coming into the weekend, we made some changes to the bike which we thought would work better for this kind of track but I just didn’t feel accustomed with the settings at all. When it started to rain towards the end of the moto I felt much better. We changed up a lot of things on the bike for the second moto and instantly I felt more comfortable. My start let me down but I was running such good speed and gelled well with the bike. I made two mistakes which cost me a possible podium but one consolation is that my speed was good. Now I just need to work on consistency and putting two solid motos together. I really enjoy Budds Creek so look forward to improving on my results.” vowed Townley.
Round 4 will take place in Budds Creek, Maryland next weekend.
Stanley Leroux Design
