SSDT Day Six - Hemingway in with a chance
By G2F on 8th May 10
Thirty-two year old Ben Hemingway - Beta goes into the final day of the 2010 Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) with a strong chance of winning what remains the most famous trial in the World. Hemingway from Leeds, West Yorkshire is no stranger to being in this position having been runner up at the SSDT on no less than three separate occasions.
The Beta rider has stood on the second step of the podium in 2003, 2005 and 2006, and came within a single mark of winning in the middle one of these three years when he was then Montesa mounted. The annual trip to the Scottish Highlands is in the Hemingway's blood with Ben's father John having ridden in the past, and his brother Dan being a regular competitor alongside him.
Despite the potential pressure Ben remained his happy self and was pleased to explain the following. "It's nice to be in this situation, but I have been here before, so this time I am going to take it as it comes and keep looking and riding as we have done all week."
"The main thing is to be happy, I am obviously desperate to win, but you just have to see how things go and see if it is going to be your day or not. I hope it's different this time as I am quite fed up with being second, so hopefully everyone will drop a few marks today and will make it easy for me." Ben laughed.
"It's going to be a tough day, the group before Ben Nevis can be tricky and I am sure there might be an odd surprise on the Ben too. As I said before you have just got to take it in your stride and keep doing as we have done all week. It's simple, look and ride, and forget about the pressure."
"I haven't been riding too well prior to coming here, but I am really enjoying riding my bike at the moment. I love the four stroke Beta, it is fantastic in these types of sections and gives me a great feeling each time I throw my leg over it."
"I have been doing a lot of riding before coming to the SSDT, and I think minding for Micheal Brown out at the World Championship events has really helped too."
"Riding with my cousins Dougie and James Lampkin plus my brother Dan is a massive boost. Dougie has been riding in front and when he cleans a section you know in your own mind you can and must do the same. Dan and James are also doing a great job of keeping an eye out for me."
"Winning the Scottish Six Days Trial is all I think about ever and I really mean that. Having been second three times makes me think about it even more. Maybe its my turn this year?"
2010Results
Day 5 - Daily Positions / Scores
1: Dan Thorpe - GasGas - 1
2: Ross Danby - Gas Gas - 2
3: Dougie Lampkin - Beta - 2
4:Jonathan Richardson - Sherco - 2
5: Sam Connor - Beta - 3
6: IanAustermuhle - Beta - 3
7: Michael Brown - Sherco - 5
8: Ben Hemingway -Beta - 6
9: Gary MacDonald - Gas Gas - 6
10: Alexz Wigg - Beta - 6
11:James Dabill - Gas Gas - 7
12: John Shirt - Gas Gas - 8
13: Sam Haslam -Gas Gas - 9
14: Jan Peters - Beta - 9
15: Richard Timperley - Sherco -10
Overall Positions / Scores
1: MichaelBrown - Sherco - 15
2: Alexz Wigg - Beta - 15
3: Ben Hemingway - Beta -15
4: Ian Austermuhle - Beta - 18
5: James Dabill - Gas Gas - 20
6:Gary MacDonald - Gas Gas - 21
7: Ross Danby - Gas Gas - 27
8: AlbertCabestany - Sherco - 30
9: Jonathan Richardson - Sherco - 32
10: DougieLampkin - Beta - 35
11: Sam Connor - Beta - 35
12: Dan Thorpe - Gas Gas -35
13: James Lampkin - Beta - 38
14: Sam Haslam - Gas Gas - 39
15:John Shirt - Gas Gas - 41