Yeahhh... it's been a while since my last news letter! To cap off
2009 I had a mostly great year, riding over 40 shows in 20 different
countries in front of over half a million people and all the
television, newspaper and magazine coverage that goes with it plus
still writing monthly columns in New Zealand's top moto mag DRD. But
then in November riding at the huge event in China called Race of
champions I crashed breaking my right hand. I was back on the bike as
soon as i could and came out to win the NZ FMX title in December to
finish out the year in top form which i was pumped on.

For January I started putting in some hard training preparing to
compete for a spot in Red Bull X fighters at the qualifying sessions
in California to take place in Feb as well as doing some demo's at
rounds of the NZ super X championships for Red bull when a crash on my
BMX left me with a separated shoulder and in some doubt about the
qualifier, but i managed to ride the SX series with strapping then the
qualifier was canceled anyway due to weather.

So i've taken a few weeks off to heal and am concentrating on
organizing my events calendar which really take off in March with
just a few smaller events for me till then in NZ. Then I head to Saudi
then to Peru both for Red Bull then I ride at the huge V8 supercars in
Hamilton. After that Im off to European events with a quick stop off
in Thailand to ride a X fighters demo on the way.

On the downside i have to see a specialist doctor in a week to
determine the severity and what can be done about some nerve damage i
sustained from my crash in China to my hand, i can still ride ok as i
have been but it effects me for every day uses and may do for the rest
of my life, but thats the price to ride dirt bikes! I am a little
disappointed i didn't get my chance to shoot for a spot at X fighters
but my year is still looking positive and very busy with big shows for
FMX4ever planed all summer long ( euro summer!) and also a few special
things I'm working on i'll confirm in the future.

I'd like to thanks all my sponsors and Family and friends for the unreal
support Thanks!
Nick Franklin

• By Allan H