The FIM SPEA Trial World Championship
By G2F on 3rd Apr 08
Grand Prix of Ireland - Bangor, Northern Ireland 5th / 6th April 2008. Round 2 - 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship. (Incorporating Round 1 2008 UEM Trial European Championship).
This coming weekend will see the FIM SPEA Trial World Championship return to Ireland for the first time since 2004, with the seaside town of Bangor hosting round two of the 2008 series this Sunday. Adding further weight to the occasion the event will also incorporate the opening round of the UEM Trial European Championship just twenty four hours earlier over a similar, but modified coastline course.
The2008 World series promises to be one of the most exciting of the modern era,with the first round of the championship held in Luxembourg last Sundayproducing close finishes in all three classes. Reigning World Champion Toni Bou– Repsol Montesa HRC from Spain opened the defence of his title with a narrowwin over his arch rival Adam Raga – Gas Gas who won the championship in both2005 and 2006. The great news for British fans is that Dougie Lampkin – Betawas back near his best in Luxembourg, and was challenging for the win rightuntil the closing stages.
With his outdoor debut onhis new two stroke Italian machine now out of the way, Lampkin will arrive inBangor full of confidence and eager to maintain momentum. The twelve timesWorld champion, a tally that includes seven outdoor titles, remains stuck onninety nine Grand Prix wins, and would so dearly love to capture number onehundred on home soil. No one more than Dougie will appreciate the importance ofa vocal home audience, and will be looking towards the many thousands ofexpected fans to cheer him towards that magical and historic victory.
Lampkin will arrive in Bangor on Thursday afternoon ready for Friday morning's first official practicesession, which he will use to familiarise himself with the terrain and to setup his factory bike. After last weekend's fourth place Dougie is eager to hitthe top spot this Sunday, and spoke about the task that lies ahead.
"I can't wait to get toBangor, it's going to seem like a long week, as I am desperate to be back on mybike. I am very confident that the Lightweight Motorcycle club will put on agreat trial, and I know that North Down Borough Council are focussed oncreating the best event of the series. Hopefully I can put my home advantage togood effect, so that I can stand on top of the podium on Sunday afternoon. It'sa tough ask, but one I want so badly. So roll on Bangor.”
Preparationsfor the event are already at an advanced stage, with work on the course makinggood progress and this isbeing matched back in the paddock, where all the maininfrastructure and organisation is in place. Bangor is set to welcome no lessthan sixty-two competitors representing twelve different nations, fromcountries as far away as America, Japan and New Zealand.
For full event andtravel details, please visit www.bangorworldtrial.com or call the Bangortourist office on 02891 270069.
Click here to buy Trialsworld issue 10 - The official programme of the FIM SPEA 2008 Trial WorldChampionship Grand Prix of Ireland GP at Bangor.
