Report: 2014 SSDT Tuesday
By Team TMX on 7th May 14
Day two of the 2014 SSDT, sponsored by Hope and Ossa motos UK Ltd, started at Laggan Rocks which is the furthest start point of the week from the Parc Ferme at 24 miles out. In fact Tuesday is to be the longest loop planned for the event at a leg and arm aching 95 miles.
Overnight heavy rain and cloud had largely cleared for the start and until shortly before midday many of the groups were bathed in broken sunshine, but the rain showers started again and would form the pattern for the rest of the day.
Whilst helping to wash the rocks clean the rain made the moor crossings much harder work with many of the lower ranked riders finding themselves dropping behind their start positions as a result.
The three way tie of the lead after Monday has now moved to a two mark advantage for seven-time winner Dougie Lampkin over Sam Connor (Beta) and James Dabill (Beta), Dougie having remained clean on the day again. Will it be win number eight for the former world champion? A lot can happen over the next four days but once Dougie gets a lead and his mind set he will take some beating.
Behind these three scores are just as tight, Guy Kendrew (Beta) weighed in with a clean ride for the day to join Michael Brown (Gas Gas) and Sam Haslam (Gas Gas) on three in total and Richard Sadler's (Sherco) one mark lost enabled him to claim seventh and also open up a four point gap between him and eighth placed Alexz Wigg (Gas Gas). Alexz spoiled his score card with a maximum at the last section at Forest Gate.
Jordi Pascuet (Jotagas) survived a moment after he attempted to move a large rock with his clutch casing and the resulting damage required time to make good, even though he was rushing a little to make up this time his day score of one five and a two means he is in 14th place and keeps a healthy lead in the over 40 class.
Eddie Karlsson (Montesa) was much more settled and at ease today and his four mark total for the day has gone a long way in making up for his opening day's score, he now lies 24th on 21 marks lost. Eddie is still in contention for the newcomer award which is so far being led by James Stones on his 125 Sherco.
Emma Bristow (Sherco) pulled away from Becky Cook (Beta) by another 10 marks today, Becky by her own admittance finding the long road work and heavy moor crossings hard work. Although acquiring 12 marks on time Katy Sunter (Gas Gas) maintained a healthy lead over SaraTrentini (Ossa) for third place in the Female awards.
The likes of James Dabill, Jack Sheppard and Dougie Lampkin all start in the earlier time slot tomorrow and this could mix things up a bit at the top of the leaderboard, with scores as tight as they are just one mistake could prove decisive come the final day.
Wednesday's loop is 22 miles shorter than today's and the first riders should reach Callart at 8am where there are five sections before moving onto Callart Falls a couple of miles further on. The weather is looking to be wet again with a few bright outbreaks.
