Five minutes with Jack Sheppard
By TMX Archives on 11th Aug 10
Seventeen year old Jack Sheppard from Ipswich has been taking the Trials World by storm recently with some performances that perhaps bode well for another British World Champion in the future. With a brief break in Jack's hectic schedule it seemed the perfect moment to catch up with this teenage talent.
How has your season been to date?
JS: Overall I am pleased with how things have gone, although I am obviously a bit disappointed on missing out on the World Youth title. Pol Tarres has ridden well and I must congratulate him on becoming champion, however it would have been nice if the last few World trials had been a bit more difficult so that the title could have been decided in a better manner.
World disappointment aside, you are still in with a shout with top honours both at British and European level, will either of those titles be a good consolation?
JS: The European Championship is going to be all down to the last round, who ever wins out of me and Pol will be champion. Again I just hope it is a proper trial in the Czech Republic, something we can get stuck into, and so the title can be decided by being the best rider on the day rather than either of us just making one mistake. I am looking forward to it, and yes if I win it, it would help to make up for losing out to Pol in the World series.
It is going to be difficult to catch Gary MacDonald in the British Championship, but I haven't given up hope just yet, another win at the next round would at least keep the pressure on him right up until the end. Unlike in the World and Euro championships where I have been riding against other riders my own age who are also on 125cc bikes, in the British trials I have been up against bigger bikes and much more experienced riders, so again a win in this series would be a massive achievement if it happens.
How do you explain your success in trials when you come from a region, which is famous for being flat and being full of sand?
JS: You're right Suffolk is hardly the trials Mecca of the World, but it was all I knew when I was growing up. When you see what Pol Tarres has at his local practice area, you could run a World trial there. I am sure if he saw the sand pit where I have done most of my practice he would just laugh and probably not believe me. I am lucky as my family have really supported me and have taken me all over the place to help me progress, and I also must thank Chris Edwards for letting me use his Trial Park up in Lowerstoft, as even though it is all manmade stuff it has really helped me with my technique.
Have you already started to think about next year yet?
JS: My main focus is on finishing this year off in the right way, but yes we have started to talk about what I should do for the best next year. I can move up to the World Junior class, but I will still have to ride a 125cc bike because of my age, so I am not too sure if that will be of any benefit to me. It might be better staying in the Youth class for another year and trying to win that title before moving on.
The most important thing for me is to work hard over the winter, hopefully like this year I will get the chance to go to Spain to practice and also to go up to Yorkshire to ride with the other riders on a more regular basis. I am due to take my car and bike tests in the coming weeks, so at least I should be able to drive myself soon, which will give me more opportunity to get the right kind of practice.
Finally is there anything you would like to add?
JS: As well as thanking my family, I must also thank my minder James, the Top Trials Team in Italy, all my sponsors, all those people in the Eastern centre who have supported and especially Dougie and John Lampkin for all the help and advice they have given me this year. Without everyone's efforts I would not be where I am today, so I am very grateful believe me.