I’m back in the saddle
By TMX Archives on 4th May 12
As I write this, I am making my way to La Bresse, France with my team for the opening round of the 2012 FIM Junior Trial World Championship.
In my last column I told you about my recent week spent in Belgium testing my new 300cc factory bike.
Well I am now travelling from Belgium to France, after competing in the Belgium national championship – my first major trial event since recovering from wrist surgery.
From October to February I had to rest my arm completely and was unable to ride.
So since getting back on my bike (and getting my new 300cc machine) I have been training hard to get fit and ready for the World Championship.
I also have a new minder for this season, James Lampkin, who many will remember as the minder (and cousin) of Dougie Lampkin.
James worked with Dougie during his famous World Championship winning years so it's great to have him on my team.
James has a lot of experience and I have already learned a lot from him.
Although we've been putting in a lot of hours training back in the UK and Belgium, it's not the same as riding in an actual event.
So the Belgium national championship was a final shakedown for the team – a real chance for me to get back into the swing of things after being away for so long and to get used to the extra power of my new Beta 300 ahead of the French GP.
It was also my first trial with James as my minder.
I started off a little wobbly and it took me the first lap to get going, but then after that I started to feel a lot more comfortable.
James and I worked well together, the bike was running nicely and I was happy with my final result.
I finished in second place, behind Gas Gas rider Maxime Warenghien who I will also compete against in the FIM Junior Trial World Championship.
After Belgium, I am definitely feeling confident about making my debut in the Junior class.
I have been able to make some small refinements to my bike, my arm is feeling a lot stronger and I have a fantastic team behind me.
I feel that everything is prepared and that my entire set-up is as good as it can be for this year.
I hope to open the season with a podium finish in France and from there I will be focusing on climbing up the ladder and being up there with the likes of Pol Tarres and Alexandre Ferrer as one of the front runners in the Junior category.
So until next time it's bye for now.
You can read how Jack got on at the French Trial GP on pages 12-14.
