100 years war!
By John Dickinson on 5th May 11
Dougie Lampkin and Michael Brown clean at the end of day one...
THE 100th anniversary edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial got underway on Monday from the Fort William parc ferme with riders and spectators bathed in sunshine and the 276 official starters began the week with a 58 mile jaunt beginning at Leanachen Forest on Nevis Range, taking in the Blackwater moors, dropping into Kinlochleven and then out to seven testing sections at the spectator-packed Lagnaha group before finishing with a testy little hazard at Town Hall Brae in the town centre. And to begin at the end, Gas Gas teamsters Dougie Lampkin and Michael Brown ended the day as joint leaders having made it through the 30 sections split into 10 groups around the course.
The day began bright and early, 7.30am to be precise as number (1), Scotsman Neil Dawson followed by his pals Grant Adamson, Ian Shedden and honorary Scot Chris Lord, headed out of Fort William for the 15 minute ride to Leanachen Forest and four sections in the river bed with its big rocks. It was in rough form as well with big holes having been washed out through the winter. Graham Jarvis, (33) was on his early day and somehow kept his feet-up in the tricky second sub that claimed a maximum off previous winner Sam Connor and also John Shirt. Sam went on to drop just 10 for the day and Shirty 14 to lead the Over 40 class.
It was then out onto the moors to take in two subs at Bradileig and then over to Kinlochleven for three sections at Loch Eilde Cottage and two at Loch Eilde Mor. A quick refuel and it was off for five sections at Blackwater where the third sub was the mark taker and extracted the first mark of the week from top challengers James Dabill, Gary Macdonald and Ben Hemingway plus a two from Jack Challoner, now riding in his fourth SSDT. Notable cleans came from enduro ace Tom Sagar, Sam Haslam, Irish ace Michael Burton, Isle of Man first-timer Josh Brain, Jack Shepherd on the 125 Beta and Ossa pilot Guy Kendrew.
Four time winner Graham Jarvis, riding a four-stroke Montesa for the first time, dropped his sole mark of the day in the next group, Coire Mhorair, as did Gary Mac although much later in the day with number 199. Defending champ Alexz Wigg (39) was also getting his early start out of the way but he really didn't want the five that he picked-up in this section which spoiled an otherwise on-the-pace ride as he ended the day on a total of seven.
Lagnaha, with seven subs in total, coming at the end of the day is always tricky and was made even harder last year when many riders managed to arrive very late and had to rush the sections. This year the rough, climbing river beds proved as tough as ever and hit the Clubmen hard but still proved cleanable to the top men. Even so, only six clean sheets through the seven subs were recorded. Obviously Michael and Doug made it through feet-up and were joined by Graham Jarvis, Sherco-mounted Chris Pearson, Spanish ace Gabriel Reyes and Eboracum Clubman Thomas Hick who finished his day on just 18 marks lost.
All that remained was the single section up Town Hall Brae in the centre of Fort William. This used to be a formality but the club introduced several nasty rocks into what was previously a gentle path and marks can now easily be lost. Michael Burton spoiled what would have been a single figure final score with a three here while Dan Clark, Ricky Wiggins, Jack Sheppard and Diego Bosis also left cursing added marks.
At the end of the day just 15 riders were still on single figure scores with Dougie and Michael leading the way as joint Best on Day closely followed by Jarvis and the ever consistent Ian Austermuhle on one. Austy stayed feet-up until the 27th section, at Lagnaha, before finally having to part with a dab. James Dabill was next on three, Gary Mac and north east centre ace John Crinson four and Ben Hemingway and Ross Danby five.
Emma Bristow had a cracking ride on the Ossa to lead what is sure to be a closely fought Ladies class dropping just 31 marks - on her early day as well from Becky Cook on 44 and Katy Sunter 57. Gary Mac on just four is way out front for Best Scot with veteran Gavin Johnston is in second. It is very tight in the Newcomesr with Manxman Josh Brain holding one point lead over Spaniard Alfredo Gomez while Jack Shepherd and Richard Sadler are right behind on 15.
The Over 40s is sure to go to the wire as well with John Shirt, Diego Bosis, Phil Disney, Amos Bilbao and Phil Alderson all in with a shout. Phil Wiffen leads the Services class.
So that's Monday out of the way with a perfect start - for Dougie and Michael - to what is a truly historic week.
We'll be bringing you a full report of the 100th anniversary Scottish, with Eric Kitchen's unrivalled pics of course, in next week's issue!
scottish six days trial
Day One - Monday
MONDAY
1 Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas) 0.
1 Michael Brown (Gas Gas 0.
3 Ian Austermuhle (Beta) 1.
3 Graham Jarvis (Montesa) 1.
5 James Dabill (Beta) 3.
6 Gary Macdonald (Gas Gas) 4.
6 John Crinson 9 Beta) 4.
8 Ben Hemingway (Beta) 5.
8 Ross Danby (Gas Gas) 5.
10 Jack Challoner (Beta) 6.
10 Joe Baker (Scorpa) 6.
12 Alexz Wigg (Sherco) 7, 13 Tom Sagar (Montesa) 8, 14 Dan Thorpe (Gas Gas) 9, James Lampkin (Beta) 9, 16 Sam Haslam (Gas Gas) 10, Sam Connor (Beta) 10, Michael Burton (Beta) 10, Chris Pearson (Sherco) 10, 20 Gabriel Reyes (Gas Gas) 11, Aran Drachenberg (Beta) 11, Darren Brice (Scorpa) 11, 23 Adam Norris (Beta) 12, 24 Josh Brain (Gas Gas) 13, Dan Clark (Beta) 13.
Best Scottish Riders: Gary Macdonald 4, Gavin Johnston 31, Ian MacPhail 37, Lee Shankie 39, Neil Dawson 43.
Newcomers: Josh Brain 13, Alfredo Gomez 14, Jack Sheppard 15, Richard Sadler 15, Guy Kendrew 17.
Over 40: John Shirt 14, Diego Bosis 17, Phil Disney 17, Amos Bilbao 20, Phil Disney 22.
Ladies: Emma Bristow 31, Becky Cook 44, Katy Sunter 57.
Services: Phil Wiffen 45, Mick Croome 59, Billy Craig 59.
