Dougie Lampkin - Hell's Gate press release
By G2F on 16th Feb 09
Dougie Lampkin continued his incredible run of results as he once again stepped on to the podium despite still being very much a rookie in the sport of extreme enduros. Lampkin faced his toughest challenge yet as he made his debut at the famous Italian Hell's Gate event, which reduced the eighty brave starters to just seven survivers come the finish. Dougie took third position overall, and was the first four-stroke home.
With Dougie's enduro experience restricted to just two indoor roundsand one extreme event, the trip to Italy was always going to test thelegendary trials rider's skill and resolve to the absolute limit. Theday began early with the first rider away at 07.00hrs. Lampkinacquitted himself well during the morning session, which comprised offour laps of over an hour a lap in the format of a traditional timecard enduro.
The going for this first part of the event was not particularlyextreme, but gave the riders the opportunity to record three specialtest times that would ultimately determine qualifying for the muchfiercer afternoon session that would determine the eventual winner.With three test times around the ten-minute mark Lampkin qualified in ahighly creditable sixth place just behind Tom Sagar and in front of awhole host of far more experienced enduro riders.
At 15.30hrs promptly the remaining thirty riders took their placeon the line for the final battle that would end in darkness around19.00hrs after four more laps, but this time of a much more extremecourse. The forty-five minute lap featured several rocky streams plusimpossible descents and ascents, where the riders were forced to manhandle their machines with the help of the thousand passionate Italianfans who lined the steep wooded hills.
Lampkin circulated in the top five during the early stages beforemaking his attack on the front-runners. Two strong closing laps sawDougie climb into third spot and mount his attack on eventual runner upAlessandro Botturi. However the ex multi World trials champion lostvaluable time when a rope that was used to pull him up one of the steephills became tangled in his front wheel. The offending object waseventually cut free, but important minutes had slipped by.
Despite this late drama Lampkin deservedly kept his place on thepodium, with the thirty-two year old being the third rider to crest theevil Hell's Peak for the fourth and final time. Tired, but delightedDougie commented. "No wonder they call its Hell's Gate, as it has beenone hell of a day. Despite it being one of the toughest events I haveridden, I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.”
"Second spot was a real possibility at one point, but I lost groundwhen I got hooked up in one of the many ropes provided by theorganisers. I have learnt so much today, so hopefully if I come backnext year I can be much better prepared.” Lampkin concluded beforestepping on to the podium.
Final Results
1: Taddy Blazusiak (POL-KTM)
2: Alessandro Botturi (ITA-KTM)
3: Dougie Lampkin (GBR-Beta)
4: Graham Jarvis (GBR-Sherco)
5: Tom Sagar (GBR-Husaberg)
6: Andreas Lettenbichler (GER-BMW)
7: Piero Sembenini (ITA-Gas Gas)
Dougie Lampkin's next event:
01/03/09 Sunday – Scarborough, England Rnd 1 British Trials Championship