Colonial National Trial - Rosedale Valley
By G2F on 11th Feb 07
Reigning European champion James Dabill opened his account on board his Sandiford supported, Future TRW Montesa Cota 4RT with a winning debut ride. After several weeks of testing and training with his Italian team at their Bergamo base, Dabill returned to the UK for his first competitive ride at the Colonial national, an event that he won last year.
Despite the switch in machinery over the winter period, the youngster from Leeds was in no mood to surrender the winners' trophy, as he once again romped to a convincing victory at the first important national trial of the season. James came home well clear of World Junior champion Alexz Wigg and ex Beta team mate Ian Austlemuhle.
Heavy snow and severe frost in the Rosedale valley in the days prior to the trial meant the original one lap forty section course had to be shortened to a more compact loop that featured twenty hazards that were ridden twice.
Whilst the ice and snow had melted by the time the first rider got underway, conditions were heavy, with swollen streams and very muddy bankings being the order of the day. Dabill had already put himself clear of his rivals with a first lap total of thirteen marks, and further extended his advantage as he dropped a mere four marks on his closing lap.
Showing that he has adapted well to the four stroke power, James completed the day without a single five. He dropped just two threes, with the remainder of his marks being lost through two and one mark rides.
Delighted with his winning start Dabill commented. " I am over the moon to have won first time out and by such a comfortable margin. I think there were a few people who were concerned about me making the switch to Montesa in a similar manner to the way they questioned Bou's move. Hopefully like the way he has responded, my win will send out a message just how good the bike is at national level as well as World level. It is going to be a long and tough year, and one win is not enough to base the season on, but it is great start and has given me good confidence to move forward without any doubt in my mind what so ever, that I can be equally competitive on the four stroke as I was on the two stroke.”
Colonial National Trial 11 February 2007 Rosedale Valley
1: James Dabill 17
2: Alexz Wigg 30
3: Ian Austlemuhle 30
4: Michael Brown 35
5: Sam Ludgate 37
6: Dan Thorpe 38
2007 Calendar
March
03-04 Brinanza Italian Two day event
11 Italian Outdoor, round 1
18 Italian Indoor, round 1
April
01 Outdoor World Championship, round 1, Mancha Real – Spain
15 Italian Outdoor, round 2
21-22 Outdoor World Championship, round 2, Guatemala – La Antigua
29 Italian Outdoor, round 3
May
07-12 Scottish Six Day Trial, Fort William
20 Italian Outdoor, round 4
27 Outdoor World Championship, round 3, Senez – France