JD's Blog: 2014 Scottish Six Days Trial Saturday
By John Dickinson on 11th May 14
Dougie Lampkin claimed his eighth Scottish Six days Trial premier, finishing the 2014 event in style by posting the lowest score of the day on the final day, Saturday, just a single mark on Ben Nevis, the toughest group of the day, deliberately set hard by the section plotters to test the leaders.
James Dabill began the day just five marks behind Doug but a one and a three on the Ben saw Dibs have to give best once again as Doug, on his DL12 machine, stretched his eventual advantage to eight marks having seen his challengers off one by one as the week progressed.
Sam Connor had also kept in touch going into the final day but a round dozen dropped by the Hook Woods ace saw Sam take the final podium slot, just four marks clear of Guy Kendrew who pipped Michael Brown on the tie-break with Jotagas duo Jordi Pasquet and Ross Danby just five marks apart after riding the whole week together.
The battle for the Newcomer award was one to watch all week with James Stones and Iwan Roberts glued together. The final margin, in the Yorkshireman's favour was just four marks, James 108 and Iwan 112.
Swede Eddie Karlsson made a storming finish, just seven on the final day against Stones 31 and Roberts' 32 but had been too inconsistent to post a real challenge.
Adam Norris, whose only trial of the year is The Scottish, was a runaway winner of the Over 40s dropping just 85 to the 117 of runner-up John Shirt. It had been thought that Jordi Pasquet was the leading Over 40, until it was discovered that he is only 35. Pasquet took the Best Foreign rider in sixth overall.
After a very wet, rain-damped 2014 Scottish the sun came out right on cue on the final day to ensure that competitors ended their week in a good frame of mind and despite a succession of tired riders ending their trial on the Finish ramp saying it had been tough and they were 'knackered' the majority were keen to sign-up for 2015.
Winner Lampkin was first to say, "See you next year!" as he told the assembled crowd that he'd really enjoyed his week and made only one mistake, the five he collected on Friday, but was pleased to finish strong. And ominously he was quick to say that he would definitely be back next year with only one aim in mind - another win!
