Lampkin to steal the show!
By TMX Archives on 22nd Dec 06
JUST incase anyone out there hasn't noticed, the 2007 Sheffield Indoor Trial takes place in 2006! Friday, December 29, 2006, to be precise and if you want tickets to the best Indoor Trial in the International calendar then you had better look sharp! Yes folks, following the 2006 epic in January, won with a last-gasp surge by first-timer Toni Bou, whom the Sheffield crowd took to their hearts, history is being made with a second event in the same calendar year. The 2007 Sheffield event is NOT a round of the World series and so, to avoid a probable clash with Championship dates, the Sheffield organisers moved a week forward from the usual first weekend in January to the last Friday in December.
The date change simply ensures the best possible line-up and the six-man field is as good as it gets. Britain's own multi-world champ and Yorkshire family legend Dougie Lampkin naturally headlines and the Repsol Montesa pilot is challenged by his team-mate Takahisa Fujinami, by reigning World Indoor and Outdoor champ Adam Raga (Gas Gas), former Indoor World Champ Albert Cabestany (Sherco), by '06 Sheffield winner Toni Bou (Beta) and up-and-coming Leeds ace James Dabill (Beta).
With no World Championship points to worry about the name of the game for Sheffield is ENTERTAINMENT and section-plotter Martin Lampkin is laying out his course to allow the contestants to express themselves and to provide some awe-inspiring rides. The dual-lane head-to-head races should have us all out of our seats and screaming for our favourites! The races will be spread throughout the two laps and the contenders will really go for it. One thing's for sure, there will be none of that silly tactical riding that spoils so many World Championship races!
There will be maximum value for money too as ALL six riders will take part in both laps. The opener will effectively set the starting order for the final. And the opening lap will be 100 per cent fair to all riders as well as each rider will take his turn to ride one of the sections first.
There is added interest also as both Bou and Dabill will be making their final appearances on Beta machinery as both are moving-on to new rides in the New Year. Both riders will want to sign-off with a winning ride!
Half-time entertainment is courtesy of eight-time World Cyclo Trials Champ Marc Vinco. If the sections look hard on a motorbike, check-out the effort required to do them without an engine!
This is, incredibly, the 12th consecutive Sheffield Indoor trial – and Dougie Lampkin has ridden in every single one. To make sure you catch him and that you don't miss a fantastic night-out, ring the Sheffield Box Office NOW on 0114-2565656.
See you all there!