Adam’s Crown

MOTORCYCLING ace Adam Nicolson capped his first campaign in the Thunderbike series by clinching the Victorian championship in the weekend’s racing on Phillip Island.Nicolson raced his Kawasaki KLX 450 to a fourth placing in the opening two heats of the series finale.A crash on the final lap propelled the series leader from fourth position in the race to second in the heat and second overall in the final round. The Skeeta Grimshaw Racing team member had gained enough points to win the Victorian title in his debut championship season.“I went into the final round knowing I just had to finish to win the championship,’’ Nicolson said.“There were a few anxious moments in the race, especially when the guys who were running second and third in the final heat fell off.’’ Nicolson kept his nerve, and most importantly, powered on to the finish.After the earlier rounds had been raced at Broadford and Winton, Nicolson held an 11-point lead on his nearest rival as they lined up on the Island circuit.Although he was beaten by his major danger in the opening two heats, Nicolson was just one place behind.“The pressure was really on going into what was the final race of the weekend, and the last of the championship.’’ Once the last lap was raced, Nicolson was four points clear at top of the championship standings.“To win the championship at my first attempt was an amazing feeling,’’ Nicolson said.“It’s been a big year of racing, not just for me, but the team, my family, and sponsors.’’Elliott Brothers Bendigo is a major backer of the team.The Thunderbike championship action began in April.Nicolson also endured the setback of a broken collarbone when he raced in a heat of the Australian Super Motard series. He was sidelined for three months.“I was always confident of competing in the final heat, but not really sure how things would go,’’ Nicolson said of being back on the track.”Phillip Island is also a really tough circuit to race on.“It was really windy, which slowed my bike quite a lot, especially on the straight.“By the final race I was back at a pace I was racing at earlier in the season.’’For Adam, the support from his family has played a big part in his motorcycling pursuits for many years.His wife, Alicia, and their children Jakeb, Thomas and Myia were trackside at Phillip Island on the weekend.Adam’s father, Alan, is the team mechanic, and Adam’s mum, Lyn, is a keen supporter.Adam’s focus now switches to the final round of the Australian Super Motard championship to be raced in Northam, WA, from November 29 to December 1.“Skeeta Grimshaw Tourers also run the Redback Rally near Charlton on the Labor Day holiday weekend and they are helping cover the freight costs across to Perth,’’ Adam said.The Skeeta Grimshaw Racing team will also have Nicolson’s younger brother, Ben, compete, in the Super Motard action, along with Charlton’s Hamish Sait in the juniors in the west. Throughout summer, Adam Nicolson will be on a different track and racing at a slower pace when he competes with the Bendigo and District Cycling Club on Thursday nights.