Scottish Six Days Trial Fort William, Scotland
By G2F on 11th May 08
Dougie Lampkin romped to a comfortable win at the World famous Scottish Six Days Trial, making it a victorious return for the ex multi World champion after an absense of eleven long years. Lampkin was never headed throughout the six days of competition and came home with a score that was half of that recorded by the eventual runner up Michael Brown.
This classic event that is based out of Fort William enjoyed fantastic weather for the duration of the trial with Dougie making the most of the hot conditions. Despite having not competed in the Highlands since he last won the event back in 1996, Lampkin was soon back in the groove and making light work of the thirty rocky hazards that make up each day.
Whilst the severity of the sections is short of those found at the World championship, the Scottish Six Days Trial presents it own challenge with the riders covering over one hundred miles on some of the days routes. The event is a real mix of endurance, concentration and consistency, with the winner being the rider who can cope best with all aspects of this unique competition.
Dougie confirmed his intention of making a winning return during the early part of the week, with the Yorkshireman remaining unpenalised until day four. The long, slippery and difficult opening double section at the remote Gorton group was the first to claim any marks from Lampkin, with him requiring two safety dabs to ensure his route to the end cards.
Friday saw Dougie lose three further marks to take his tally to five, as the 1996 winner battled his way around the peninsula on his early day. With less than twenty riders ahead of him, Dougie was faced with almost virgin conditions and with the rocks in their most slippery state. Despite this Lampkin actually recorded the joint best performance of the day to maintain his lead at the top of the leader board.
Absorbing the immense pressure that is associated with this prolonged event, Dougie kept his nerve well to close out the week with two clean rides on the final two days of competition. This was sufficient to give Lampkin his fourth Scottish Six Days Trial victory, and to extend his family's strong history with this great trial.
Speaking about his win Dougie stated. It's been a tough week both physically and mentally, but thankfully I have come through the test well. This is a fantastic result both for the team and I. I would like to congratulate Michael Brown on putting up such a strong challenge, as he has certainly kept me on my toes right to the end.
Hopefully this has helped restore some of my confidence, and that I can take this kind of form on to the next round of the World championship in Japan later this month.
Final Results:
2008 Scottish Six Days Trial
1: Lampkin 5
2: Brown 10
3: Dabill 23
4: Pascuet 23
5: Braybrook 23
6: Haslam 27
7: Walker 33
8: Jarvis 35
9: Macdonald 36
10: Thorpe 40
Dougie Lampkin's next event:
31/05/ + 01/06/08 Saturday / Sunday Japan, Rnd 4 World Trials Championship