Italian Outdoor Championship Round 3
By TMX Archives on 21st Apr 08
James Dabill maintained his 100% record in the 2008 Italian outdoor championship, with another win at round three, to make it three victories from three starts. Dabill's margin of success on this ocassion was a massive twenty-four marks over runner up Maurino. With James' nearest title challenger Lenzi pegged back to third place this time out, Dabill has further extended his lead at the top of the general standings.
With just three rounds completed Dabill on board his Future TRW Montesa now holds a commanding twenty-three point advantage over Lenzi, and currently looks the clear favourite to retain the title he first won last season. The latest event held at Valmalenco consisted of the normal Italian domestic format of three laps of ten sections, which all had to be ridden within an overall time limit of six hours.
Dabill signalled his intention of remaining undefeated in this year's championship with a solid opening lap, which put him four marks clear of Grattarola despite some initial nerves. From this point, James dominated proceedings with two further improving laps. His lap scores of eleven and nine marks respectively over the two closing tours were both by far the best performances of the trial.
This latest win comes at an important moment, as Dabill looks to restore his confidence after a couple of below par showings at the opening two rounds of the 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World championship. A pair of eighth positions has left James in the same place in the series, in a season when the youngster from Leeds is looking to break into the World's elite top six.
Dabill will remain in Italy, before travelling with the team to the USA later this week, for the third round of the World championship, which will take place over both days of this coming weekend.
Pleased with his latest win Dabill stated This is a good result for me, as it is just the kind of boost I was looking for ahead of going to America. Whilst I was always favorite to win, the winning margin is the important fact for me today.
It has been a disappointing start to the World championship for me. In both events so far, I have struggled to find any kind of consistency, with one good lap being spoilt by one poor lap. I am hoping the trip to the USA will bring better fortunes, and that I can now properly get my campaign underway.
Italian Outdoor Championship Round 3 20/04/08 Valmalenco, Italy
Results
1: James Dabill 12+11+9+2T=34
2: Daniele Maurino 21+18+19=58
3: Fabio Lenzi 23+19+18=60
4: Diego Bosis 25+14+22=61
5: Matteo Grattarola 16+27+21=64
6: Michele Orizio 29+23+27+2T=81
Championship to date:
1: Dabill 75
2: Lenzi 52
3: Vaccaretti 40
Next event:
World Outdoor Trials Championship Round 3 26-27/04/08. Sequatchie, USA