It was a frustrating weekend all three Yamaha Dixon Racing Team riders as they struggled to get to grips with stony ground at the Fr🧸ench circuit St Jean d'Angely near Bordeaux in the west of France. Round four of the 12-round World Championship took place at the very fast and spectacular hillside circuit lines with more than 26,000 screaming French race fans.

Billy MacKenzie was the only rider to finish a race in France. Higgs and Morris both retired from the 250cc race, while MyacKenzie finished 24th 🅠just outside of the points in 🍸his first GP of the year.

Mackenzie overcame his nerves and qualified for Sunday's 125cc grand Prix via the Last Chance after being involved in a high speed first turn crash which saw him traဣpped under the machine of Tallon Vohland. He injured his chest but was determined to put in a few laps, firstly to get rid of some frustration but also to try and get back up to speed and prepare for the Last Chance race later in the afternoon.

"I haven't been happy with the way I rode all weekend," he said, "I couldn't get to grip with the track - the bike was set up fiᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚne but because I wasn't riding the bike as I should it felt unstabl🐟e at speed.

"The crash was unavoidable, just one of those things as twenty or more guys try to get through a small space, Vohland 🌄rode over me which aggravated on old injury in my back which caus🐠ed me pain when I was breathing."

Through to his first grand prix of 2002, Mac🍨kenzie tried to overcome his nerves starting on the extreme right of the start gate.

"I made a fair start but the fast guys came from my left and I was left boxed in at the first turn," he said, "I had to back off the throttle as I was p💫ushed into the banking. I just followed the pack after that. "

Battling to get through into the points, Mac tried for the big dive down one ♑the hills trying to get ins💖ide Stevanini before a tight turn.

"We came together and I bent my gear lever, I had to stop and kicℱk it back into shape, I was missing gears for the r🅷est of the race, the lever was bent and didn't feel comfortable.

"Now I've had a GP race under my belt I feel much better," he said, "I need to work hard on the bike to prepare for Italy. The bike set up was good, even the bent lever - it was just me riding badly which I can't afford to do too often. I am doing well in the British Championshipꦰ I just need to carry over some of that speed in🅺to the World championship races. "

Jason Higgs wa🌠s 🗹down at the second turn and was forced to retire.

"We have been working on ground like this at home, but in the race it was very slippery due to the overnight rain," he said, "I was brought down at th♎e start so my race was over even before it began. I know that I feel frustrated so I can only image that the team feel the same way. They have all worked very hard to prepare for this grand prix and then this goes and happens."

Justin Morris struggled in the conditions after he too crashed in the first turn. Filled in with mud and stones, he tꦰried to ride on without his goggles.

"The crash happened that fast I was just knocked to the ground," he said, "I tried to make progress through the field, I was up to 21st but then started to go backwards, I couldn't find a rhythm I knew I 𝕴was well outside of the points."

"I am disappointed will all three rider's results, especially Justin Morris who retired early in the race after crashing, something I strongly disapprove of," said team ma🐽nager Steve Dixon.

"The conditions have been the൩ same for all the riders out there who also struggled♔ with tyres, stones and suspension set up. Justin immediately has picked up a team fine of ?500 for retiring from the race when the bike is still working.

"I think all three just went to pဣieces, and it frustrating after all the hard work that has been done in preparation. Jason Higgs found the going tough - he's🌌 still not quite up to the pace of most GP riders just now and this is a very steep learning curve for him - and we don't expect the same from his as we do from Billy and Justin. When he has a good result then it is a bonus."