Doug's still Scott it
By TMX Archives on 25th Oct 13
DOUGIE Lampkin overcame the pain of a broken toe, sustained when he whacked his left foot on a rock out on the moors, to take a stunning win in the 2013 Scott trial on Saturday.It was the Gas Gas riders fourth victory in the epic Yorkshire time and observation event and it comes just six days after he finished second in the super-tough Lagares extreme enduro in Portugal.
Doug lost just nine marks on time but his miserly score
of 46 was way better than the opposition and he took the Premier trophy on just 55 marks in total.
A popular second was Ross Danby on the Jotagas to post his best ever Scott result after finishing fifth last year, while third was local hero Jonathan Richardson.
Jonathan had pushed the Ossa to its limits and beyond as he careered round the moorland course to set Standard Time in five hours 18 minutes which was just nine minutes longer than Michael Brown's time last year on his way to overall victory.
Jonathan was all-in at the finish, after giving his absolute all and a bit more, but had sacrificed his observation score for sheer speed.
It was always going to be a particularly tough Scott as persistent rain in the weeks leading up to the trial ensured the moors were soft, soggy and slippery while the streams were running full, making it tricky to plot a line in the sections.
The early morning mist was still thick as the 200 riders, headed by first man away Michael Chandler left the start at Feldom Range, outside the village of Marske, near Richmond, with the rest of the field leaving at 20 second intervals and in hot pursuit.
The experienced riders were all bunched at the back of the field and it makes for exciting spectator interest as the aces carve their way towards the front of the field.
With high water levels in mind the traditional early section at picturesque Orgate was marked straight across the river in front of the falls and to the photographers' dismay not a single rider took an early bath this year.
Alexz Wigg (#198) was last man through after picking up the first puncture of the trial - hitting a rock all of a quarter of a mile from the start!
The trial, after running in the ‘reverse' direction last year, was back to running the proper way round(!) and the thousands of spectators were out early picking their favourite sections.
Reels Head, the 14th sub, was the first popular spot while some kind of order was showing by the time Surrender, about a third of the way round with section 22, was reached.
First to arrive was local man Mark Willis (#20) at 11.10am and he went clean followed by Paul Jepson (#17) and then a big cheer for 18 year-old Chloe Richardson (#27) who was looking mighty determined.
The steep, narrow, gully was thronged with spectators who soon had plenty of action as riders arrived having completed the river at Roy's Rocks and there was soon quite a snarl-up at the Ins cards.
Welsh teenager and first-timer Iwan Roberts (#117) was well up on time on the revving 125 just ahead of local speed merchant John Sunter (#161) who shot up clean at 11.31am.
It was almost 10 minutes later that a higher number than Sunt arrived and it was James Fry (#164) closely followed by Ben Hemingway (#176), Ross Danby (#170), Michael Brown (#184).
Richo (#192) was clearly on a mission but stopped at the top to let Ossa importer Nigel Birkett fit a re-programmed electronic chip into the Ossa before speeding away.
Don't think it was going fast enough at that stage for Jonny! Emma Bristow (159) cruised through looking very unflustered and Doug (199) had it all under control.
Word had got round that James Dabill (#195) was out having had a mega crash while arriving at the petrol check. The Beta having gone off on full noise and Dibs with a suspected broken wrist.
Meanwhile the front runners had gone off over the infamous Grouse Moor and one hour 14 minutes - and 11 sections - later the first man arrived at By Pass where the pit crews waited with kit at the ready.
And it was Mark Willis still ahead on the road at 12.24pm but that man John Sunter, on the barking Montesa, steamed-up just three minutes later, having started the trial 47 minutes behind Mark!
The late starters had now forced their way to the front with Ben Hemingway just a minute behind Ross followed by Chris Tennant (#80) and Nick Morgan (#87) and two minutes later by Michael Brown and the flying 125 of Iwan Roberts.
Sam Connor (169) was clearly pushing on while Ross Danby looked to have the section bossed only to measure his length in the deep, cold, stream muttering something like "Oh dear!” as he kept the Jotagas running and out of the water.
Doug motored through with the exhaust blowing loudly followed by a bunch including Ian Austermuhle (196), the indomitable Chloe Richardson and Cumbrian first timer Joel Gowan who went on to claim a coveted Finishers certificate.
Survivors then took in Grand Canyon before heading up Arkengarthdale and old favourites Tank Trap, Black Hills, Whaw Bridge and the Punchard groups before crossing the road and heading up through Fagger Ghyll and Shaw Gutter to Bridge End and the man-made big steps set in the stream that made its debut in the Richmond club's three day trial back in the summer.
Again there were hundreds of spectators lining the banks and the sun had even made an appearance as at 1.40pm John Sunter arrived, making his was through the bridge under the road and eased through the big steps for just a dab. It was a full 10 minutes before Richardson arrived, took a big drink that was offered him and cleaned the sub with ease.
Sam Connor and James Fry were only a minute behind as was the ever consistent Ian Austermuhle while Danby, Lampkin (his exhaust now sounding sweet again) Ben Hemmo and Sam Haslam all arrived together with Browny right behind.
Michael took his time at the start of the section and eased his way in.
