Day One - Brown and Cabestany share lead
By G2F on 3rd May 10
The ninety-ninth Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) is underway, with the competitors being treated to sunshine once the early morning mist had cleared from the loch to reveal the fresh snow that had fallen on the hills over night. After the calm of yesterday this year's event very much came alive with a drama filled opening day. A new route created a challenging initial encounter for the competitors, with many incurring time penalties.
This was not the story for the Sherco factory riders Michael Brown and Albert Cabestany who dropped a mere three marks apiece and arrived back in the parc ferme within their allotted time. Brown actually tops the table ahead of tomorrow's trial after a lengthy tie break process decided in his favour. Having both recorded the same number of cleans, ones, twos, threes and fives, Michael then got the nod having travelled the furthest before losing his first mark. However Cabestany has already confirmed himself as a real contender with a stunning ride on his first ever day at the SSDT.
Ironically both riders dropped marks in the first group of the day at Leanachen, where Cabestany parted with a soft dab in section three whilst Brown needed his dab to get back on line in the very next hazard. The third and fourth hazards proved to be a popular draw for the spectators with a large crowd turning out to see the riders getting their respective campaigns underway.
Whilst last year's winner Dougie Lampkin - Beta started the day well, his assault for a third win in a row began to fall apart after the lunch stop as he picked up an uncharacteristic five when his bike misfired just before a double step. This electrical problem was to manifest itself as the day wore on, with Lampkin's bike coming to a complete halt with the final two sections still to ride. Although roadside repairs put Dougie back in the trial, he suffered hefty time penalties that will probably rule him out of the top order for the rest of the week. He currently lies in sixty fifth place on thirty eight marks.
Lampkin has much work to do to ride himself back into contention, with the top ten currently separated by just five marks. Ian Austermuhle - Beta who finished in third place last year, again holds this position after day one. Austermuhle is locked on five marks along with the almost unknown Craig Robinson - Gas Gas, with the 2009 runner up Alexz Wigg - Beta completing the initial top five.
Scotland's Gary MacDonald - Gas Gas once again signalled his intent to become the second only Scot to win this event with a solid opening performance to leave him in eighth spot and just four marks off the lead. With Dougie Lampkin not featuring in the leading group, cousin James is up holding the family name in ninth place, as the 2007 winner James Dabill - Gas Gas completes the top ten after Monday's initial test.