Strong opening day for Vertigo at SSDT
By TMX Archives on 5th May 15
The continuing path of the Vertigo Combat project took another historic step as no less than six prototype machines embarked on the massive challenge of the World famous Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), which got underway in Fort William yesterday.
Still regarded as the single most important event in the trial calendar, more than one hundred years after the competition first took place, the Vertigo team took its place alongside more than two hundred and eighty riders from across the globe.
The arrival and presence of the all-new Vertigo Combat machine in the parc ferme over the weekend drew the crowds as many people got their first opportunity to see the revolutionary bike in the flesh. Backed by a full compliment of technical staff housed in the new Vertigo team truck and awning, the riders made a few last minor changes to their set up for the six day task that lies ahead before they weighed their bikes in on Sunday afternoon.
Under damp skies, which is not unusual conditions for the Scottish, all six prototype Vertigo Combats rolled out of parc-ferme yesterday morning to embark on what is scheduled to be the toughest test to date for the all new machine. With the weather improving and even the odd period of sunshine the six Vertigo team riders made good progress around the opening day that consisted of thirty sections and that took them on a route of around seventy miles.
Vertigo factory riders Dougie Lampkin and James Dabill, both former winners of the SSDT, confirmed themselves as strong contenders to repeat their respective successes at this event as the Yorkshire duo each parted with only a single mark on day one to position themselves towards the top of the leader board at this early stage of the almost week long competition.
Former top-level rider and now Vertigo team technician Gabriel Reyes showed he still can compete on the international stage as he dropped just seven marks on the first day of six. Cumbrian Paul Dixon adapted well to his new mount to place inside the top one hundred despite having to contend with an injured shoulder. Both Axel and Manel Jane safely piloted their Vertigo Combats to the finish on Monday to make a strong opening day for the Vertigo team.
Speaking on Monday evening Vertigo Sports Team Manager Dougie Lampkin said. "We really could of not hoped for a better first day with all six bikes performing perfectly and finishing without a single problem. As we know the Scottish is a tough event and I am sure the rest of the week will show us that, but right now we are in good shape.”
"Both James and I have enjoyed a relatively straight forward opening day, which is good as now we should have got the nerves out of the way and can get on with the rest of the week. We have made some small adjustments ready for tomorrow from what he have learned today, as the Scottish remains a unique event, and as we continue to develop the Vertigo Combat in a competitive environment.”
"There is a long, long way to go and much can happen, but right now we can be pleased with how the whole team has performed in what is without doubt the biggest test for the project to date.”
