Freak accident for Jake Nicholls
By Sean Lawless on 5th Oct 18
British Motocross Championship Jake Nicholls
Maxxis ACU British MX1 Motocross Championship leader Jake Nicholls broke his tibia and fibula in a freak accident at Sundays final round of the Eastern MX series at Blaxhall.
The 28-year-old Buildbase Honda rider sustained the season-ending injury when he twisted his foot during the morning practice session. He underwent surgery on Monday morning.
Posting on social media, Nicholls explained what happened
'I came into the last turn and had no rear brake because of a stone getting jammed under [the] pedal, I was still easily going to make it round but the front end tucked and I jabbed my leg down hard. I didnt crash and thought Id be fine after a breather but turns out I broke my tib and fib which required surgery. At the minute Im a bit lost mentally, but I appreciate the messages!'
With the final round of the championship scheduled for Lyng on October 14, Nicholls holds a 39-point lead over Evgeny Bobryshev (Lombard Express Suzuki with PAR Homes) and with a potential 50 points available the Russian can still catch him.
"Im devastated for Jake, Rob, Ryan and the whole team," said team boss Dave Thorpe. "When something like this happens its never easy to take but when it happens with one round to go with Jake in the position hes in its even harder to deal with.
"Unfortunately, its racing. We all know whats at stake every time we put our leg over the bike and Jakes been extremely unlucky. Bobbys still got to do a lot to win but our main thoughts at the moment are just about Jake and his recovery."
Just to underline what a brutal sport motocross can be, defending MX1 champion Graeme Irwin (Hitachi ASA KTM UK) also sustained a season-ending injury on Sunday. Competing in Imola at the final round of the MXGP world championship, the Irishman crashed on the opening lap of the second moto and dislocated his right wrist and broke his scaphoid.
As a result Gary Gibson will take his place on Team Irelands MXoN team at RedBud in the USA this weekend.
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