MX Diary: Husky ace on the charge at Blaxhall
By Team TMX on 20th Jul 16
Hitachi REVO Husqvarnas Jake Nicholls put in a solid performance at his home round of the Maxxis British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean at Blaxhall in Suffolk on Sunday.
After running 2-2 behind new MX1 series leader Tommy Searle, Jake consolidated his third in the championship and pulled back 26 points on Shaun Simpson.
"It was good day," he said.
"I was a little bit tense because it was my local race but the track was very difficult as well. It was spongy and it's quite a small track for a 450.
"It's tight and they cut the first race short so no-one found their flow but I was comfortable in second and Tommy [Searle] didn't get away until the yellow flags came out and there was some confusion.
"In the second one I holeshot and had a good scrap with Tommy for a few laps but about 10 minutes in my back brake pedal snapped off - it must have caught a rock - which ruined it.
"Luckily we were about 15 seconds in front of Kristian [Whatley] and I could keep my pace and I finished strong.
"It's a shame - I would have liked to have put up more of a fight - but I can't complain with two second places."
Blaxhall also marked the return to the team of Mel Pocock as a fill-in rider for James Dunn.
Pocock, second in the series for the team in 2014, his 4-3 scorecard saw him miss the podium by one point.
Just one year ago his career was in the balance after he sustained an horrific hand injury but, reunited with his technician Sam Yates after a season's absence, he showed his class at the sandy Suffolk circuit.
"It's been a success really and I'm happy with fourth overall," he said.
"The whole week has gone at 100 miles-an-hour which is fine.
"We got some good testing in and made some improvements to suit my riding style and it paid off.
"I was a bit nervous but I'm very happy with my surroundings and with the team and I'm getting more familiar with the bike.
"My hand put up with it well and it was my first race without my modified grip which was a good break-through - I just need some more time on the bike.
"The team's put in a lot of hard work and made it happen. Sam [Yates] has worked his socks off.
"About a year ago this felt a million miles away but now it's back within reach.
"We've done well to close the gap and it feels good to be
riding up front again so happy days."
It was a tougher day for the team's other MX2 rider Oli Benton who failed to score.
"We've come away with a podium so it's been a good day for the riders and the whole team," added team owner Roger Magee.
"The hard work that everyone's put in over the last year is showing.
"Tommy [Searle] was on his game but Jake gave him a run in both races, it's just unfortunate that his back brake pedal snapped in the second moto and he had to man-handle the bike a lot more than normal which allowed Tommy to get away.
"Mel did a good job for us a couple of years ago and came in this week and showed that he can run at the front.
"All he's lacking is a bit of race fitness and another month or six weeks will make all the difference - we're looking forward to seeing him mixing it up.
"It's great to have him back and he's only going to improve. There's absolutely no pressure on him, he just has to do the best he can which is something he's fully committed to."
