Frustration for Dixon riders.

It was a frustrating weekend all three Yamaha Dixon Racing Team riders as they struggled to get to grips with stony ground at the French 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 trapped 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 fine but because I wasn't riding the bike as I should it felt unstable 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 caused me pain when I was breathing."

Through to his first grand prix of 2002, Mackenzie 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 pushed 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 inside Stevanini before a tight turn.

"We came together and I bent my gear lever, I had to stop and kick it back into shape, I was missing gears for the rest 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 Championship I just need to carry over some of that speed into the World championship races. "

Jason Higgs was 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 the 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 tried 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 was 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 manager Steve Dixon.

"The conditions have been the 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 pieces, 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."