Irish set the World in motion
By TMX Archives on 1st Apr 09
THE eight-round 2009 SPEA FIM World Trials Championship gets under way this weekend in Ulster, when the Lightweight MCC stage the opening event at Donard Park, Newcastle. This is a brand new venue for trials and the east coast town is around 60k from Belfast. Like the British round, which represents the third round of the series in May, Ireland has been granted a two-day event so there's World Championship action on both Saturday and Sunday. At time of going to press just 13 riders are contesting the full World Championship class (there's 55 entries in total including Juniors, Youths and Guests) headed by the usual suspects including reigning World Champ Toni Bou on the latest version of the factory Repsol Montesa. His main opposition is sure to come from Adam Raga (Gas Gas), Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Montesa), Albert Cabestany (Sherco 4T), Jeroni Fajardo (Beta) and of course Britain's Dougie Lampkin. Doug, armed with the latest factory Beta EVO, is really looking forward to the 2009 outdoor season on the EVO and is looking to improve on last year's sixth place finish.
Brits James Dabill and Michael Brown, currently ranked eighth and ninth in the World, are looking to really challenge the Big Six this year and in the process nudge aside veteran Spaniard Marc Freixa who finished seventh in 2008. Both Brits have switched machines from last year and Dabill in particular has looked sharp early season, beating Lampkin in both opening British Championship trials. The Dibster is looking for a big improvement this year and really looks the part on the Gas Gas Pro.
Meanwhile, Michael appears to be suffering slightly from a traumatic World Championship Indoor season - as has happened to other Brits in the past - but should soon get back on song outdoors and looks good on the two-stroke Sherco. Third Brit in the Championship class in Ireland is Shaun Morris and his switch to Beta has given Shaun's career a new impetus although he is still struggling with his damaged eye, particularly in windy conditions.
There's plenty of British interest in the Juniors with Beta team-mates Alexz Wigg and Jack Challoner plus Ross Danby (Gas Gas) looking to be up at the sharp end backed-up by James Fry (Sherco), Ben Wibberley (Gas Gas), George Morton (Beta) and Craig Robinson (Gas Gas).
Brits make up a mighty quarter of the 16-strong Youth class quota with the two battling Jonathans, Richardson (Sherco) and Walker (Gas Gas) urging each other on, plus Ben Morphett (Beta) and Manx lad Josh Brain (Gas Gas).
Riders can commence official practise on the designated area on Friday, April 3, at 10.30am, while the trials on both Saturday and Sunday will commence at 11am with the presentation both days taking place at 4.15pm.
Don't miss T+MX next week for a full report on how the opening round went, plus of course Eric Kitchen's unmatchable pics.