Jake Nicholls is ready for his second MXGP season
Wilvo Forkrent KTM rider Jake Nicholls is one of three British KTM riders who will participate in this year's MXGP World Championship. However, Nicholls has a completely different preparation this year than last year. The 24-year-old Englishman has now fully recovered from a horror crash last year in which he almost lost a finger and saw the second half of the season go up in smoke. This year he will switch to the lighter 350SX-F and hopes this, together with the arrival of Steven Frossard, will give an extra boost to his career.
'Last year I got injured in the preseason and never got up to full speed in the first GPs. Just as I was starting to feel comfortable and doing better, I crushed my finger and was unable to ride for 4 months, which immediately ended my season. The biggest reason for the switch to the 350 is the starts. It's strange to have to admit that I would start better with 100cc less, but I think riders like Bengtsson and Karro have proven that this is possible. Tony has also shown this, he even does it constantly.”
'I really liked the 450 but I had a hard time getting the power to the ground at the start. And they just happened to be my strong point in the MX2 class. I also like that you can be a little more aggressive on the 350, and that suits me.'
This year Nicholls will have Steven Frossard joining the team. It will be an adjustment for him to be the second man on the team next to a more successful driver. In the past, Jake was always the first pilot or equated with teammates such as Jordan Booker, Febvre and Karro.
"I'm actually quite grateful for that," he admits. ' It has nothing to do with taking pressure off my shoulders, but more about the fact that I can learn from someone. This hasn't happened since 2009 (along with Sword) and I'm looking forward to it.
'You should make no secret of the fact that Steven is a better rider than myself, but I would like to see how I can improve myself by riding with him. We have already sent each other a few text messages and before we compete in the first race in Valence, we will train together for a few more days.'
The Wilvo Forkrent KTM team will participate in two pre-season races in France, the first of which will take place in Valence.
Text Adam Wheeler / OTOR
Photos CDS
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