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British Championship

Chatter Box: Jake Nicholls

Jake Nicholls tackles the hot topics.

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A mud race is the worst thing that can happen to a championship leader, as so much can go wrong. Jake Nicholls was unfazed at the fifth round of the Maxxis British Championship, however, and had a consistent ride that left him in fourth place at the chequered flag. Nicholls discusses that in this exclusive interview, plus a handful of hot topics.

MX Vice: One moto today, a fourth, with the mud and all of that. You had the most to lose, so looking at the bigger picture it was a pretty solid day considering the conditions.

Jake Nicholls: Yeah, it was not bad. It was a lot on the start. I got a decent start. I went really wide in the first turn and kind of blew getting the holeshot there. I was sitting third and I was really trying hard to pass [Ivo] Monticelli and it was difficult. This track is quite difficult to pass on anyway and obviously when it was wet like that… I was pushing hard and trying to desperately get past but not to crash at the same time or cook my bike, because obviously I was getting so roosted.

My goggles were getting bad, so obviously the rads were getting bad too. I kind of backed off a little bit and then had a little, not struggle, but I was just finding my way a bit. Brad [Anderson] got by and I had some good lines after that. It was one of those ones where it was like, “Do you push and then risk crashing?” I had a couple moments I was struggling a little bit with my shock. It pushed me over a few lines and I thought that actually fourth is not too bad. It is one of them, really.

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Twelve points is the advantage that Jake Nicholls has in the MX1 class.

MPS Images

You and Brad got close a couple of times when he went around you. Was that kind of a wake-up call? Did that make you realise how much you had to lose?

A little bit. I obviously did not want to lose another spot, because I knew Bobby was out front, but at the same time I am not riding around thinking about the championship. I just did not want to lose a position, full stop. He had some good lines, so once I started copying him then I got close and got really filled in again. I was just struggling, like everyone, with vision. I would say it was like have fourth and not cook my bike much. Everyone’s bikes were obviously getting hot and mine included. It was not too bad.

After the finish of the first race, I saw you look over at a backmarker. It looked a little… Not aggressive, but it looked like you were unhappy. What happened there?

I think Brad and Monticelli had it bad on the last lap with lappers too. I know it is not their fault and they are racing or whatever. There were a couple of my mates actually racing just in front. I think they got in Brad’s way. It is no issue. The guy that held me up was on his own. In two really slow corners I shouted at him and he still carried on racing, which really annoys me. I totally get it. I have been in the same position. I have been lapped in Grand Prix and whatever and you can only do so much, but when you are not in a battle… It’s like, “Get out of the way.” He just did not and then filled me in so bad. I was just really angry after.

Was that the end of your race at that point? Obviously if he filled you in and everything, even if you wanted to make another charge I guess your hands were kind of tied?

Yeah. I think I had about a half a lap left to go. It was more just the principle of it. I did not lose or make any ground either way, but it was just like… “Get out of the way.” Especially, like I said, he had a chance to hear me. I know the blue flag situation when it is like that is out of control as well. I was getting waspy.

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Jake Nicholls has won four of the nine MX1 motos thus far this season.

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You saw the conditions the MX2 race and all of that. Are you okay with it being cancelled? You would like to get out of there and muck in like an old-school racer and all that, but do you feel like it was a wise decision?

I think so. The vision is bad here. Obviously, with the way it is so open around here the mist is coming in. I was just looking at the start a minute ago and obviously the ruts were full of water, but I also could not see to the first turn near enough. It is one of them that could go either way so easy. I had my mind set before I went out there and was ready to have a go obviously, because you cannot be thinking about them cancelling it.

It was one of them where if it goes right you could end up with a bag full of points and something could go wrong with the other riders, but at the same time it can easily happen to you as well. The bike situation when it is like that… Our bikes are all so good and they are not really designed for this stuff. Get our radiator packed full of mud and then they do not breathe, so I can understand why they did it. I am not mad about it at all. I was up for it either way, really. It is one of those things.

Three rounds to go now. Is the situation starting to catch up to you a little bit? Obviously, you have got twelve points now. It is kind of enough where it is not super stressful, but then it kind of keeps you on your toes I guess. You cannot afford to just back it down and cruise around.

One hundred percent. At the same time, if I had a fifty-point lead I would not be backing it down either. It is just how it is. I will be racing the next few rounds like I was at the start of the year. Just going for it, trying to get wins and just have fun really. Not thinking about it too much. You cannot help almost but think of it when it is like this, because it can go so wrong. [I am] just enjoying it. It is a shame there are not that many races for us the next few weeks really. It is a bit quiet.

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Jake Nicholls hopes to return to RedBud in October to race the MXoN.

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RedBud happened a couple of weeks ago now. The experience was amazing, obviously, but what about the track prep and the way everything was run surprised you, both in a positive way and negative?

The event was cool. I much prefer it being a one-day thing. I really liked how you only had two laps of practice then you were straight out into it. I feel like at these events people just ride around for like four laps and I just do not get it. The amount of times I nearly hit people in the early laps where they are riding so slow, so that was good. The only thing I did not particularly… The track actually was not as great as I thought it was going to be, in terms of prep. Between the races they left some turns that were just pants.

There were no good lines or anything, but from what I hear that was just the worst I guess it has ever been there. I have watched so many videos and I was a bit sort of like thinking, “There are berms there and here.” There was just ruts everywhere though. It was like Culham for the first round almost. That was good. I was really surprised how helpful everyone was there. Just way better on one day than Grand Prix.

Finally, ‘Nations is coming up and I guess we are going to hear soon. Have you heard anything either way? Anything you can tell us?

I have surely sealed the position now? I got fourth today. I beat Tommy! No, I do not know. I saw Mark Chamberlain two weeks ago at Stuart Miller’s wake and he said he is going to make a decision in the next three to four weeks, so we will see really. Just keep doing my bit and hope to get picked.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: MPS Images

British Championship

Bickers to supply UK market with Alpinestars

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This is great news for UK motocross dealers, who can now order Alpinestars Boots and Protection for the motocross and enduro community.

Full PR:
Bickers are pleased to announce a new partnership with Alpinestars, from 2024 Bickers will be a
newly appointed distributor of Alpinestars Off-Road range of MX, Enduro and Trials footwear and
protections.

Alpinestars has been redefining protection for motorcyclists ever since the company was established
in 1963. Commitment to innovation has led Alpinestars to become the world-leading manufacturer
of professional motorsport racing products, motorcycling airbag protection, high-performance
apparel, technical footwear, and helmets. Alpinestars understands that the best design and research
is achieved under extreme conditions. Their involvement in Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP, World
SBK, AMA Supercross and Motocross, MXGP, Dakar and more has led to the creation of the most
advanced technical equipment for the racing world’s top athletes.

Bickers and Alpinestars will be working together in the UK and Ireland (via Bickers Dornan) to create
an industry leading integrated sales program, reaching the Bickers dealer network; carrying stock in
2 strategic locations in the UK and Ireland to ensure next day delivery on all items.
Stock is in the UK and available now, to see the range visit alpinestars.com or bickers-online.co.uk.

Chris Hillard (Alpinestars Communications Manager)

Alpinestars are pleased to welcome Bickers as a distributor of our MX/Off-Road range in the UK and
Ireland. With their proven record in offering next day service to dealers; we see Bickers as a logical
partner to add to our already strong network of Dealers and Distributors in the region. With focus on
offering keystone hard goods from our range; namely Footwear and Protection. Central to our plan,
inside July/August 2024 Bickers will also become an Official Alpinestars repair and service center for
MX Goods, with the aim of increasing efficiency for our UK/Ireland based racers and customers
moving ahead, and we look forward to developing this partnership.

Derek McMartin (Bickers)
“Bickers are extremely excited to be able to service and sell Alpinestars Range of Off-Road Footwear
and Protection and cannot wait to start offering these great products to our dealers”
To see what Bickers offer, please go to bickers-online.co.uk
You can visit the Full Range at Alpinestars direct alpinestars.com.

Picture – KTM Group

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Breaking News

NPC 2024 IS ON! All eyes are on Oakhanger.

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Oakhanger will host the first round of the NPC series this weekend. Gulf Racing Fuels, which will support the series for the next three years, will be in attendance. The line looks impressive, while entry lists are still being worked on. Starting a series from scratch is always hard, but trying to do that in a recession and with industry budgets at an all-time low is even more challenging. The guys behind the NPC have been working around the clock to make this happen.

MX1 and MX2 classes will provide some exciting racing with this at the weekend. MX1 will see Tristan Purdon, Brad Todd, Jamie Carpenter, Carlton Husband, Tom Grimshaw, John Adamson, Dan Thornhill, Chalie Putnam, and Aaron Patstone lining up. MX2 will offer some great racing with Charlie Cole, Charlie Heyman, Ollie Colmer, Ben Mustoe, Glen McCormick, Callum Mitchell, Syd Putnam, Ben Franklin, Harvey Cashmore and Liam Bennet all looking to get some hours in the bank racing.

Justin Barclay and Alfie Smith have produced a stunning track for riders to compete on. As I’m typing this update, more British riders are signing up, and they will be confirmed every day leading up to what will be a historical event. I say historical because I believe this series will go from strength to strength and offer one of the best championships in the UK and, hopefully, Europe.

The Acerbis is cancelled this weekend, so places at the NPC are filling up fast. There are four groups, and wildcards are still available in each group.

Entries for the event can be accessed here: https://nora92.com/event/nora-pro-championship-round-1/#tribe-tickets

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British Championship

Andrew Short confirmed for the 2024 VMXdN at Foxhill

No Short measures for Team USA

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The promoters for the annual VMXdN Foxhill have announced that former factory HRC, KTM Factory Racing and Monster Energy Yamaha rider Andrew Short will be racing at the legendary Wiltshire Grand Prix circuit over August bank holiday weekend (August 22nd-26th) as part of the American squad.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Supplied


Short has had a stellar sixteen-year pro career, during that time, he earned over 50 podium finishes and nine wins, he is also one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet. One of his personal highlights was being part of the American Team that won the 2010 Motocross of Nations held in his home state of Colorado. 

After he retired from professional motocross at the end of 2016, Short then worked as a team advisor and brand ambassador for Factory Honda HRC before making a big transition to compete in rally racing and take on the ultimate rally race – the Dakar.

After a steep learning curve, he was able to become competitive in rally and even took his first win at the 2019 Rallye du Maroc, a leadup to the 2020 Dakar. He raced for the Rockstar Husqvarna team as well as the Monster Energy Factory Yamaha rally teams.

After a nasty injury while riding at home, he is now back to full fitness and bang up for the challenge that is Foxhill, the greatest 2-stroke event in the world. Short will race a 2002 YZ 250 built and maintained by the crew at DocWob. Team USA won the inaugural event in 2022 and finished 3rd behind Team GB and Team Northern Ireland in 2023. 

The race is already creating a huge buzz with new and returning legends being announced weekly, it really is a whos’ who of the sport through the golden heydays of the 90’s and 00’s era.

Labelled by RacerX magazine as “the Woodstock of two strokes” the event simply goes from strength to strength.

With ticket sales up year on year, the promoters have been blown away at the response to the event and are urging spectators to purchase tickets asap. Could this be the first outdoor motocross event in the UK to be ticket only? Camping passes will be capped at last year’s numbers as simply putting it – it was full!

Ensure your place at the most anticipated event on the British MX calendar by booking early.

Saturday, Sunday, Weekend and Camping passes are available at https://vmxdnfoxhill2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Keep up to date with all the VMXdN Foxhill news

www.vmxdnfoxhill.com 

www.facebook.com/vmxdnfoxhills 

https://www.instagram.com/vmxdnfoxhill/

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