Dabill's Italian job
By TMX Archives on 23rd Apr 08
JAMES Dabill bounced back from losing a seemingly unnassailable lead in the recent British Trials Championship opener in Kinlochleven to maintain his 100 per cent record in the 2008 Italian Trials Championship and make it three victories from three starts on Sunday.
Dabill's margin of success on this ocassion was a massive 24 marks over runner-up Daniele Maurino. With James' nearest title challenger, Future TRW team-mate, Fabio Lenzi ,pegged back to third place this time out, Dabill has further extended his lead at the top of the general standings.
With just three rounds completed Dabill, on board his Future TRW Montesa, now holds a commanding 23 point advantage over Lenzi, and currently looks the clear favourite to retain the title he first won last season. The latest event, held at Valmalenco, consisted of the normal Italian domestic format of three laps of ten sections, which all had to be ridden within an overall time limit of six hours.
Dabill signalled his intention of remaining undefeated in this year's championship with a solid opening lap, which put him four marks clear of Grattarola despite some initial nerves. From this point, James dominated proceedings with two further improving laps. His lap scores of 11 and nine marks respectively over the two closing tours were both by far the best performances of the trial.
Dabill will remain in Italy before travelling with the team to the USA later this week, for the third round of the World championship, which will take place over both days of this coming weekend.
Pleased with his latest win Dabill stated: This is a good result for me, as it is just the kind of boost I was looking for ahead of going to America. Whilst I was always favorite to win, the winning margin is the important fact for me today.
It has been a disappointing start to the World championship for me. In both events so far, I have struggled to find any kind of consistency, with one good lap being spoilt by one poor lap. I am hoping the trip to the USA will bring better fortunes, and that I can now properly get my campaign underway.
It is worth noting that fourth in Italy was former World number two Diego Bosis, now 40-years-old and riding a Sherco 4T.
RESULT
Overall: 1 James Dabill (Future Montesa) 34, 2 Daniele Maurino 58, 3 Fabio Lenzi (Future Montesa) 60, 4 Diego Bosis (Sherco) 61.
Series Standings after 3 rounds: 1 Dabill 75 points, 2 Lenzi 52, 3 Vacaretti 40.