Motorcycle Junction » Jake Nicholls

Desalle confirms KTM are not invincible

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:46:17 +0000

If you were lucky enough to be in Portugal for the GP yesterday or watching on TV it was looking like KTM would once again rule the roost in both MX1 and MX2 classes but up popped a not fully fit Clement Desalle of Teka Suzuki and ruined the Austrian manufacturers party. Desalle rode brilliantly in the second moto even after dropping it near the final stages of the race the Belgium fought back to secure his first overall GP win of the season.

Tony Cairoli took second in the GP to maintain the MX1 red plate as team mate Max Nagl rounded off the podium in third. Xavier Boog and David Philippaerts rounded off the top five.

Jeffrey Herlings took second overall in the MX2 class as previous Championship leader Ken Roczen took third but handed the red plate back to Musquin.

MX1

Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1’s Desalle made up for the bitter dnf of Valkenswaard –where he dislocated his right shoulder- with his first Grand Prix victory of 2010 here in Portugal. The Belgian went on to take two second places and the overall. In race one Desalle cruised comfortably in second for the whole moto but in heat two he recovered from a crash to take another second place as well as the overall win.

Team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX1 completed the podium with Cairoli and Nagl.

Championship leader Cairoli recovered from a bad start in heat one to take fifth. In heat two instead he dominated form the start to the flag but was snatched the overall win by Desalle – after the Belgian’s crash Cairoli was the virtual GP winner.

Nagl instead won heat one in dominant style but had to recover from a bad start in heat two and took a final fifth place – basically the same as Cairoli in heat one.

Kawasaki Racing’s Boog narrowly missed the podium to take fourth overall at the end of a solid Grand Prix. Two great starts and hard fights made it the best Grand Prix of the season for the French MX1 debutant.

Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross’ Philippaerts was fifth overall. He took third in heat one despite a crash but a strong pain to his hand slowed him down in the final moto where he was a final eighth.

Honda fellow riders Leok and Bobryshev ended sixth and seventh from Pourcel, Ramon and De Dycker. Home rider Gonçalves was 11th.

MX1 Race 1 top ten: 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 40:37.687; ; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:14.633; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:17.055; 4. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:18.870; 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:20.685; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), +0:22.020; 7. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:45.869; 8. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:53.096; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:04.235; 10. Marc de Reuver (NED, Suzuki), +1:06.660;

MX1 Race 2 top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 39:57.508; ; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:02.809; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Yamaha), +0:04.569; 4. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:06.537; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:09.288; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), +0:12.826; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:23.894; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:28.727; 9. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:51.791; 10. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Honda), +0:52.578;

MX1 Overall top ten: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 44 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 41 p.; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 41 p.; 4. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 36 p.; 5. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 33 p.; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), 30 p.; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 26 p.; 8. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 25 p.; 9. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 23 p.; 10. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Yamaha), 20 p.;

MX1 Championship top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 179 points; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 161 p.; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 133 p.; 4. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 124 p.; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 123 p.; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Yamaha), 114 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 106 p.; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), 96 p.; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 79 p.; 10. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 75 p.;

MX1 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 197 points; 2. Suzuki, 169 p.; 3. Yamaha, 156 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 118 p.; 5. Honda, 113 p.; 6. Aprilia, 63 p.; 7. TM, 37 p.; 8. CCM, 11 p.;

MX2

This Portuguese Grand Prix marked the comeback to victory of Musquin, who also snatched the red plate from rival Roczen. The French of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 did it in dominant style as he went on to take both heats. Musquin dominated moto two but had a hard time to win heat one as he had to get rid of team mate Herlings, leading until three laps to go.

Herlings was second on the podium. The Dutch teenager dropped down to third in heat one due to a crash but a second place in moto two guaranteed the overall podium.

After finishing second in moto one, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2’s Roczen was again in the runner up position in the second heat but a tangle with a lapped rider saw him crash and drop down to an eventual sixth. In both heats Roczen tried to keep up with Musquin but never managed to find an open door and move past. He finished third on the podium.

Bike-it Cosworth Yamaha UK’s Osborne was a solid fourth overall as he ended this GP with third in heat two. The result definitely made up for last year’s crash and wrist injury.

Kawasaki CLS’ Frossard instead had a weekend to forget despite he ended fifth overall. After a dnf in qualifying, the French also crashed at the start of heat one and was forced to recover in both heats.

After a solid fourth in moto one, Simpson crashed and ended 21st in heat two.

MX2 Race 1 top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 39:09.201; ; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), +0:03.389; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:03.997; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:02.518; 5. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +1:17.802; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:20.932; 7. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +1:23.221; 8. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +1:24.333; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), +1:47.796; 10. Matiss Karro (LAT, Suzuki), +1:50.706;

MX2 Race 2 top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 40:09.015; ; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:08.230; 3. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +0:14.284; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:20.032; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:32.628; 6. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), +0:50.167; 7. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), +0:51.004; 8. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +1:03.928; 9. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:05.055; 10. Dennis Verbruggen (BEL, KTM), +1:16.926;

MX2 Overall top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 37 p.; 4. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 36 p.; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 26 p.; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), 26 p.; 7. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 26 p.; 8. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 22 p.; 9. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 21 p.; 10. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 21 p.;

MX2 Championship top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 179 points; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 167 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 164 p.; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 133 p.; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), 116 p.; 6. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 114 p.; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 105 p.; 8. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 101 p.; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 83 p.; 10. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 81 p.;

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 200 points; 2. Suzuki, 167 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 135 p.; 4. Yamaha, 123 p.; 5. Honda, 40 p.; 6. TM, 9 p.;

Womens

Stephanie Laier made it two out of two as she collected victory at the second round of the FIM Women’s World Championship in Portugal. The German topped the podium from Livia Lancelot and Maria Franke as the duo complete also the Championship’s top three behind leader Laier.

After going down at turn one yesterday, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Laier took revenge today on the dry track. The German rode a flawless final moto after getting rid of holeshotter Kane. Once in first, Laier pulled away to win with an 18 second advantage.

The crash of KTM HDI’s Lancelot made things different for Laier. The French crashed when was in third and rejoined the race at the bottom of the top five to take a final fourth place. Courtesy of yesterday’s win, Lancelot could step on her first season’s podium in second and moved up to third in the Championship.

Diga KTM’s Franke grabbed another solid result with third overall. A second place from yesterday and a third place from today made it a third overall for Franke, who currently holds the second place in the Championship.
HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK’s Kane took fourth overall ahead of Fontanesi. Papenmeier instead was a bitter seventh due to yesterday’s crashes.

WMX Race 1 top ten: 1. Livia Lancelot (FRA, KTM), 26:27.355; ; 2. Maria Franke (GER, KTM), +0:11.781; 3. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), +0:17.730; 4. Elin Mann (SWE, KTM), +0:35.112; 5. Natalie Kane (GBR, KTM), +0:52.281; 6. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:56.967; 7. Nicky van Wordragen (NED, Yamaha), +1:03.220; 8. Marielle De Mol (NED, Yamaha), +1:12.423; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:29.705; 10. Francesca Nocera (ITA, Honda), +1:43.795;

WMX Race 2 top ten: 1. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), 25:42.752; ; 2. Natalie Kane (GBR, KTM), +0:18.087; 3. Maria Franke (GER, KTM), +0:20.109; 4. Livia Lancelot (FRA, KTM), +0:25.757; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Suzuki), +0:52.213; 6. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), +1:19.608; 7. Marielle De Mol (NED, Yamaha), +1:31.132; 8. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:48.162; 9. Elien De Winter (BEL, KTM), +2:28.723; 10. Shirley Verkade (NED, KTM), -1 lap(s);

WMX Overall top ten: 1. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), 45 points; 2. Livia Lancelot (FRA, KTM), 43 p.; 3. Maria Franke (GER, KTM), 42 p.; 4. Natalie Kane (GBR, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 30 p.; 6. Marielle De Mol (NED, Yamaha), 27 p.; 7. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Suzuki), 26 p.; 8. Elin Mann (SWE, KTM), 26 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), 25 p.; 10. Nicky van Wordragen (NED, Yamaha), 23 p.;

WMX Championship top ten: 1. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), 95 points; 2. Maria Franke (GER, KTM), 80 p.; 3. Livia Lancelot (FRA, KTM), 76 p.; 4. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 72 p.; 5. Natalie Kane (GBR, KTM), 68 p.; 6. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Suzuki), 59 p.; 7. Elin Mann (SWE, KTM), 53 p.; 8. Marielle De Mol (NED, Yamaha), 47 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), 43 p.; 10. Elien De Winter (BEL, KTM), 41 p.;

WMX Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 100 points; 2. Yamaha, 72 p.; 3. Suzuki, 61 p.; 4. Honda, 49 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 3 p.;

GP OF PORTUGAL – QUICK FACTS
Circuit length: 1500 mt
Type of ground: hard pack
Temperature: 21° C
Weather conditions: dry
Crowd attendance: 14000

NEXT GP
The fifth of 15 GP’s will be held at Bellpuig, Spain, next weekend and will host also the third round of the FIM Women’s World Championship.

SUCCESS FOR HM PLANT RED BULL KTM AT SEASON OPENER

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:46:35 +0000

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK enjoyed a successful season opener at the Maxxis British motocross championship at Little Silver, Exeter yesterday with Jake Nicholls finishing on the podium, Graeme Irwin taking his first ever MX2 win and Natalie Kane dominating the women’s races.

In the all-new qualifying format for the MX2 class, in which the top twelve from the timed session are given a superpole flying lap to establish their gate pick, Nicholls earned himself third place with teammate Irwin, who didn’t expect to be lining up to race this weekend due to a shoulder injury, close behind in fourth in the wet and muddy track conditions.

In the opening 20-minute plus two-lap moto, which forms part of the new-for-2010 three race schedule, Nicholls fired away from the start clinching the holeshot with Irwin in second place. Although Nicholls had pulled a small lead, Irwin was able to take advantage of a mistake from his teammate on lap three, and the Irishman continued with blistering form to stretch out a nine second lead at the chequered flag to spectacularly win his first ever British Championship moto and the first race of the season. Nicholls ended an eventful race in a strong sixth position.

In race two Nicholls scored another holeshot aboard his KTM 250 SX-F, while Irwin didn’t quite get the start he had hoped for and was in 11th place by the end of lap one. Nicholls engaged in a battle with Zac Osbourne and lost out to the American rider on lap three, but maintained a good rhythm to finish in a solid second position. Meanwhile Irwin, who had fought his way to eighth by lap three, had another fall and clawed his way back to a respectable ninth place.

For the final moto of the day the track had dried somewhat, but was tough and rough in many places. Both HM Plant Red Bull KTM riders got good starts with Nicholls taking the lead and Irwin in fourth place at the end of lap one. 19-year-old Nicholls engaged in another fierce battle with Osbourne to finish second and runner-up overall, while Irwin battled with a number of riders to finish in an eventual fifth position and an impressive fifth overall.

In the women’s races Kane demonstrated an almost-flawless performance after taking pole position, and winning both of her 16-minute plus two-lap races. The 18-year-old, who made her KTM debut this weekend, took the overall honours, as she kicks off her season with the aim to build her speed for the first Women’s World Championship round in April.

Jake Nicholls #45: MX2 2nd Overall
“Fifth in Superpole was good, as doing a one-off flying lap is not particularly one of my strong points. In the first race I got the holeshot, but crashed after a few laps, which was just a lack of concentration on my part with it being the first race of the year. I got up and managed to salvage sixth place. In the second race I holeshotted again, and plugged away as much as I could after Zac came past. I didn’t ride so good, as I was a little pumped up, but I was happy enough with second place. In the last race I holeshotted again, and I wasn’t quite finding my lines. It was a pretty similar story to the second race really, and with two laps to go I thought I was on my own when Martin Barr was just close behind me and I had to fight to the finish. I ended up second overall, which is a good start to the year for me, as I’ve worked hard, and I haven’t done that much riding recently with the weather. The plan now is just to keep riding and training to build things up for the first Grand Prix with some good speed.”

Graeme Irwin #555: MX2 5th Overall
“Overall I’m really happy with today. Qualifying wasn’t too bad we were third after the timed session then fourth after superpole, which I was happy with, as it’s a new thing to me and not something I’ve had a lot of practice at. The first race was mega. I got a good start and was close behind Jake. He got away a little, but I managed to start catching him back when he made a mistake and I took the lead. The bike was feeling good and I was able to pull away to take my first ever win, which I’d like to dedicate to my Granda who passed away three months ago today. It was certainly a really great feeling to win the first race of the season. In the second race I got a bit boxed in off the start. I tried to make some headway but aggravated my shoulder, which I injured a week ago, when I came off on one of the tabletops, although I managed to come back to ninth. I got a good start in the third race and ended up fifth with fifth overall, which I’m really happy with because we weren’t sure I’d be racing this weekend during last week. It’s a good start to the season and now I’ll be continuing my training and riding the bike as much as possible, as well as getting my shoulder up to full strength for the next few weeks.”

Natalie Kane #44: MX Ladies Winner
“Qualifying was good; we were first by over five seconds, so I was happy with that. In the first race I was second off the line going into the first turn but took the lead two corners later. I came round on the first lap but hit one of the kickers off the tabletops and nearly went over the bars, so I hurt my chest and winded myself, which I struggled with over the next couple of laps. I tightened up and managed to ride tight, so towards the end of the race I had got myself properly going again and took the win. In the second race I got the holeshot, and felt good, so I just kept my head down to lead to the finish. I’m really happy with everything and the KTM. It’s taken a while to get used to it, as it’s different from any other bike I’ve ridden and a little taller, which has also been a challenge as I’m quite short, but now I’m really loving it. We’re just working on doing some races to get myself ready for the first Women’s World Championship race in April.”

HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK Team Manager: Roger Magee
“This has been a very positive start to the season. We were running one-two in the first race for quite a while when Jake had a slight off. It was good to see Graeme take up the baton and run with it to take his first win at the Maxxis British Championship, with Jake also having a good outing to finish second on the podium overall. It shows the work that the riders and the team have put in over the winter has really paid off. Natalie had two easy wins today for her KTM debut, and we are looking at moving her up into the MX2 class, as it’s important she has some competitive racing ahead of the World Championship season, which starts in April. Overall I’m happy with today and we will now to continue with this form at the Hawkstone Park pre-season international next weekend.”