Nick Franklin captured his very first New Zealand Farm Jam FMX win in 2013. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Kiwi Nick Franklin returned to the New Zealand Farm Jam in 2013 to take his third shot at the FMX title and finally emerged victorious over the revamped contest.

With 50 percent of the riders’ scores accumulated at a media-only freeride session on Friday, Franklin finished second to Australia’s Matt Schubring on the natural terrain, then dominated the FMX course to claim his first Farm Jam crown.

Schubring was forced to sit out the FMX contest after injuring his hand while returning from the freeriding comp and lost his chance of victory as a result.

“It feels really satisfying to win my first Farm Jam after so many attempts,” Franklin says. “I’ve had my fair share of bad luck here over the years.”

Franklin felt comfortable aboard his KTM 450 SX-F, taking the win in his first event on the new ride.

“Even though this was my first contest on a 450cc bike, I felt comfortable enough to push it a bit more,” he added. “I couldn’t be happier right now.”

Behind Franklin is was the pair of Australian’s Tyrone Gilks and Pat Bowden rounding out the podium in second and third placings, respectively.