Dougan scores world top-ten debut

Fork Rent Suzuki rider Jason Dougan was out to impress on the World stage at the weekend, as he and teammate Jake Nicholls rode strongly throughout, scoring a top-ten finish along the way.

After promising heat races from both riders, Jason made a great start in race-one, but after being squeezed came out of the first turn in 11th. An inspired ride saw the RM-Z250 rider make it back up to eighth by the end of the first lap, hot on the heels of Tyla Rattray, before gaining another place by the finish to come home in an impressive seventh place – his first World top-ten!

A less than lucky race two saw Dougan crash out early on, only to re-mount and put in impressive top-eight lap times before a damaged radiator forced him to retire.

Team-mate Jake Nicholls showed real promise all weekend, qualifying after being forced to fight his way back up the order. A less successful start saw the team young-gun work his way back up the order to 14th, before a mid-air collision saw Jake have to remount, bringing the bike home to a championship point in 28th place.

The second race was not to start any better for Nicholls after a collision with the gate due to a fellow competitor jumping early left Jake with a tough task. Another inspired ride saw the Suzuki rider back in the points with an 18th place finish.

Team manager Mark Chamberlain commented, “Well done to Jason for his first World top-ten. It’s rides like this that build confidence at the highest level. The pace from both riders was impressive today, and I know more of this is to come”.