Jack's factory ride
By TMX Archives on 14th Jan 11
JACK Sheppard (17) who finished as runner-up in last year's SPEA FIM Youth Trial World Championship during his first full international season, has been rewarded with direct support from the Italian Beta factory and the assistance of trials specialists Jitsie for 2011.
The teenager from Ipswich, Suffolk who also took second place in the European and British championships in 2010, will look to lift all three titles this time around on works machinery prepared by the Florence based company.
With British Beta importer John Lampkin weighing heavily in his corner, the Italian factory was keen to retain Sheppard's services with the youngster having made an instant impact on the World scene at his first full attempt. Jack will also compete in the British Expert championship, the Scottish Six Days Trial, the Scott and other selected national events for Beta UK. Jack will also contest the 2011 SPEA FIM Youth Trial World Championship, the majority of the 2011 Euro series plus other international events as his schedule permits.
Jack will travel to Beta UK next week to take delivery of his first ever full factory bike. He will familiarise himself with his new Evo 125 with a few days testing in Yorkshire before heading off to Spain for a month long training period. Sheppard will join other international class riders as the British youngster hopes to make the most of the warmer climate and more typical World trials terrain.
2011 will see Jack with leading trials brand Jitsie, with the teenager using their clothing - both competition and casual, helmet and hard parts on his factory bike. Sheppard will once again look to exploit his close relationship with trials legend and Jitsie ambassador Dougie Lampkin, whose advice and support has been invaluable in the early stages of this young rider's professional career.
Obviously excited by imminent arrival of his factory bike Jack stated. "It's incredible to think this time last year I still didn't have a contract to do the World championship, and now just twelve months later I have full factory support. I am really looking forward to getting my bike next week and to putting it through its paces. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michele and Top Trial Team for all their help last year, and to thank John Lampkin, Beta and Jitsie for giving me this incredible opportunity. I really hope I can get the results to repay the faith everyone has shown in me.”
John Lampkin added. "We are really pleased to have kept Jack on board, as from what we have seen to date he looks like he has a bright future. Hopefully we can help Jack to win his first major adult title this year, and that this will be the first of many to come for both him and Beta working together as a team.”