Hot Doug's magnificent 7
By TMX Archives on 16th May 13
DOUGIE Lampkin rode to an emphatic victory in the 2013 Scottish Six Days Trial, which was staged around Fort William last week.This took Dougs number of wins to a stunning seven, now two up on the next highest, the five wins of SSDT legends Mick Andrews and Sammy Miller.
Doug's winning margin was eventually a yawning 15 marks over late-charging James Dabill, who bagged runner-up spot on the final day, while Kinlochleven's Gary McDonald also climbed onto the podium thanks to an excellent final day's effort.
A delighted Dougie said at the finish: "I was not on the pace at the beginning of the week, I was cleaning sections but not how I wanted to and I was definitely on the edge some of the time.
"But I did start riding really well towards the end of the week and I'm well pleased with how I rode Friday and Saturday.
"Thursday was the turning point but I haven't ridden a competitive trial since the Scott last October and although I've been out practising it is nothing like riding between the flags.
"I came to Scotland thinking that a win just might be possible but by Thursday I was really on it. After this I'm definitely coming back next year!”
Doug's rivals fell by the wayside as the week went on with Michael Brown the unluckiest.
Monday's leader went out on Thursday morning, as his knee painfully popped out of joint while kneeling down to check his front disc in the parc ferme.
Next thing Browny was off to hospital and out of the trial.
Sam Connor and Alexz Wigg were running one-two on Tuesday and hung in there but the southern duo dropped away at the end of the week.
Sam was forthright, "I've really enjoyed the week but I'm not a full-time rider and to be honest I struggled with my concentration on Friday and Saturday.”
James Dabill had a real slog to get onto the podium saying: "I had a bit of trouble on Monday and was down in 18th, which shouldn't have been a problem as I'd still only dropped eight marks.
"But by Wednesday I was still 16th and thinking, ‘I'm not actually going anywhere'.
"But this is the Scottish and anything can happen, even on the last day. All I could do was just ride each section as it came and I've finished the week well. Given how it's gone I have to be happy with second.”
Also moving up on the last day to take a popular podium was Kinlochleven rider Gary Macdonald who just pipped Ross Danby for third place.
One of the best performances of the week was by Best Lady Emma Bristow.
The Sherco rider not only beat nearest rival Becky Cook by over 100 marks, she also claimed a Special First Class Award for 47th overall, a superb result in its own right.
Gary Mac easily took the Best Scot Award, with young Jack Dignan taking Scottish Newcomer.
Yorkshire's Rob Waite made a brilliant debut to take Best Newcomer in 28th overall, as the wily Catalan Jordi Pascuet nailed the pot for Best Foreign rider.
The Over 40 award has the biggest entry by far and was taken by Bristolian Adam Norris from Gas Gas importer John Shirt and Cumbrian Clubman Richard Gaskell.
Adam's win is even more remarkable when you consider his previous competitive outing was...the 2012 Scottish Six Days!
