Scottish Six Days Trial: SSDT update - day five
By John Dickinson on 9th May 15
Well, Dougie Lampkin silenced all the doubters that he might just slip-up on his early start day by actually extending his lead in the 2015 Scottish Six Days Trial and finished the day with a seemingly unassailable nine point lead over Sam Haslam with top Scot Gary Macdonald just a further point adrift.
Doug dropped just three marks on the day where he circulated towards the front of the field as it made its way in a 100 mile loop round the Moidart peninsula and the sections are never easy for early arrivals.
Surprisingly, in the morning Doug was riding very defensively and lost his three marks in almost nervous prods as he tackled the sections slowly and deliberately.
But he must have had a word with himself at the lunch halt at Salen and the afternoon so the return of aggressive Doug and he took on the sections with confidence and made some amazing cleans to finish on a total of three.
James Fry's day was spoiled with a five in the top sub at Piper's Burn and a total of nine dropped the Sherco ace to fourth. Super Sam Haslam, at the back of the field today dropped just five while Gary Mac matched Doug's three mark total - as did Doug's team mate James Dabill as Dibs made his way up to sixth following Tuesday's time related debacle that dropped him down to 35th.
It was a bright sunny day in the Highlands which made things easier for riders, many of whom are now very tired and with many tough sections, there are no easy ones these days, it is a long week for some. So all credit to the girls, Emma Bristow, Becky Cook, Sandra Gomez and Jess Bown all of whom just take it in their stride and always with a smile.
First timer Jess is revelling in the event, so as they head into the final day, with the traditional final group on Ben Nevis, before a run up Town Hall Brae in Fort William and a final signing-off in parc ferme the dream of a debut SSDT victory for new manufacturer Vertigo, through their team manager Doug, is very much on the cards...
