The 2018 Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean took a dramatic twist when MX1 leader Jake Nicholls broke his tibia and fibula in a freak accident at last Sunday’s 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.
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 which makes for a dramatic conclusion to the 2018 series.
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 didn’t crash and thought I’d be fine after a breather but turns out I broke my tib and fib which required surgery. At the minute I’m a bit lost mentally, but I appreciate the messages!’
“I’m devastated for Jake, Rob, Ryan and the whole team,” said team boss Dave Thorpe. “When something like this happens it’s never easy to take but when it happens with one round to go with Jake in the position he’s in it’s even harder to deal with.
“Unfortunately, it’s racing. We all know what’s at stake every time we put our leg over the bike and Jake’s been extremely unlucky. Bobby’s 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.
Picture © Imagerich Media
