Valence, France – 16 February 2015: After spending the week in the French region testing, the Wilvo Forkrent KTM team arrived in Valence for the annual pre-season international race. In the MX1 class Brit Jake Nicholls was joined by new teammate Frenchman Steven Frossard. This season’s line-up was completed once again by British MX2 rider Adam Sterry.
All three riders were looking forward to their first official outing as a team after enjoying great weather leading up to the event, so it was a huge disappointment for the riders and spectators alike to arrive to a weekend of relentless rain and a mudfest on-track.
Sterry made a superb start in race two and was in 2nd place as they crested the first hill but overall winner Jonas jumped across his line, dropping him down to 4th. Sterry settled into a rhythm and amazingly held off reigning world champion Tixier lap after lap before eventually giving ground, however he was still riding superbly and continued to tail Tixier until a lapper then completely filled in him and he was unable to see in the sea of mud. Sterry discarding his goggles managed to get back to business and impressively held off the advances of Sewer until the flag to take a brilliant 5th place for 6th overall.
Nicholls made the decision to sit the second race out so as not to risk the chance of injury in the precarious conditions.
Frossard gating in 6th and improving to 4th rode a sensible race, settling-in and doing just enough to hold off a late charge from Strijbos. His 9 – 4 race finishes gave him a 6th place overall.
The team now stays in France for another week before taking on their second international at La Capelle Marival.
