JD's Blog: 2014 SSDT Tuesday
By John Dickinson on 7th May 14
Day two of the 2014 Scottish Six Days Trial and Dougie Lampkin stands alone at the top of the results sheets, the only rider in the 288 strong entry which started the trial on Monday to remain unpenalised having now ridden 60 observed sections absolutely clean.
Doug's clean on Tuesday was matched though, by Northallerton clubman Guy Kendrew and the recent Chris Carter National winner is on fire at the moment and holding a superb fourth place on just three in total.
The nearest challengers to Doug, who were both still clean on Monday evening, Sam Connor and James Dabill again finished the day dead level but this time on one mark each. Dibs dropped his in the fifth section of the day, at Forest Gate which saw many cleans right down the entry while Sam's prod came out on the moors at Meall Danh before the big spectator group of the day, Creak Lundie.
Nigel Birkett, looking to finish his 43rd consecutive SSDT was in trouble before the first section, Laggan Locks, when his Ossa just stopped. He pushed off the moors and had the engine out by the side of the road, discovered the fault, and was away again some two hours behind schedule. Needless to say Birks finished albeit with 47 time marks having caught-up over an hour. Not bad for a 60 year-old!
Tuesday was a typically Scottish day with alternating heavy showers and dry spells but with the moors very wet anyone in less than top condition was going to struggle - and did.
Up at the sharp end of the field Alexz Wigg was detuned with a five at Forest Gate and a couple of other prods saw Wiggy finish on seven for a total of eight. Sam Haslam and Michael Brown, Gas Gas riding team-mates, are locked together on three apiece after two days.
After a relatively poor start Eddie Karlsson had a much better day on four marks but not as good as Welsh 17-year-old Iwan Roberts who dropped a mere three on his 125 Beta.
As Wednesday dawned heavy rain was battering the parc ferme and it is due to stick around all day, meaning another tough 90 miles for the survivors!
