The return of the Lejeunes
By TMX Archives on 20th Jan 11
The lucky two hundred and seventy riders have now had their entries confirmed for the centenary edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), which will take place in early May. Amongst the many famous names are three brothers whose return will make this year's event even more special. Triple FIM Trial World Champion and trials legend Eddy Lejeune will be joined by his well-known brothers Eric and Jean-Marie as the Belgian trio are set to be reunited with the Scottish highlands after an extended absence. Fittingly Eddy will celebrate his fiftieth birthday just one month before the SSDT enjoys its one hundredth anniversary, as the ex factory Honda rider returns to this unique event for the first time since the mid eighties. Although Eddy remains one of only seven riders to have ever won more than one World trials title, the spectacle-wearing multi-champion never actually managed to win the SSDT, with fourth place being his best finish in 1986. This was in a year when the podium was filled by Thierry Michaud, Steve Saunders and John Lampkin respectively.
Eddy's older brother Jean-Marie, who is now sixty-one years old, has only competed in the Scottish on one previous occasion way back in 1975. Jean-Marie will face a huge challenge to record a finish alongside his two younger siblings, which is the Lejeune's main goal this time around. At forty-five years old Eric maybe the youngest of this much loved trials trio, but has faced his own battle to be ready for May's event. Having recently undergone an operation to reduce the size of his stomach, Eric has shed an incredible thirty-five kilos due to a new eating and exercise regime to fulfil his own dream to re-visit Fort William as a bonafide competitor.
The return of the Lejeunes to the parc ferme in the West End car park during this special year will be an added bonus for many trials fans who flock to this Mecca each Spring, and whilst the brothers are not likely to feature at the top end of the results no one should underestimate their passion to succeed. Back when the Lejeunes were a real force to be reckoned with Eddy, Eric and Jean-Marie recorded a unique feat as all three brothers finished in the top ten at the Belgium GP held at the famous Bilstain venue.
An incredibly happy Eric Lejeune was eager to explain more about their forthcoming Scottish adventure. "It has been a long road back for Eddy since he had the big road crash back in 1998 and trials has been an important part of his recovery. To see his face when I showed him this year's Scottish entry list was a special moment for him and our family. This is really a dream that has come true for us three brothers."
"The story to return to the Scottish begun at the French trial GP in 2009 when the Lejeune brothers met by chance Martin and Dougie Lampkin in a bar close to the paddock." Eric continued. "Obviously Dougie was not drinking, but we shared a beer with Martin and the dream began. For Eddy to hear Dougie call him the King was a moment of great respect and something my brother will remember for ever. For us to ride with Dougie in the Scottish will be another special moment and one we are looking forward to very much."
Marking its centenary, the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial will take place in and and around Fort William between Monday 2nd and Saturday 7th May - for more details please visit www.ssdt.org
Previous winners - 1972-2010
2010 - Alexz Wigg - Beta
2009 - Dougie Lampkin - Beta
2008 - Dougie Lampkin - Beta
2007 - James Dabill - Montesa
2006 - Graham Jarvis - Sherco
2005 - Sam Connor - Sherco
2004 - Graham Jarvis - Sherco
2003 - Joan Pons - Sherco
2002 - Amos Bilbao- Montesa
2001- Cancelled - Foot + Mouth
2000 - Steve Colley - Gas Gas
1999 - Graham Jarvis - Bultaco
1998 - Graham Jarvis - Scorpa
1997 - Steve Colley - Gas Gas
1996 - Dougie Lampkin - Beta
1995 - Dougie Lampkin - Beta
1994 - Dougie Lampkin - Beta
1993 - Steve Colley - Beta
1992 - Steve Colley - Beta
1991 - Steve Saunders - Beta
1990 - Steve Saunders - Beta
1989 - Steve Saunders - Fantic
1988 - Steve Saunders - Fantic
1987 - Jordi Tarres - Beta
1986 - Thierry Michaud - Fantic
1985 - Thierry Michaud - Fantic
1984 - Thierry Michaud - Fantic
1983 - Toni Gorgot - Montesa
1982 - Bernie Schreiber - SWM
1981 - Gilles Burgat - SWM
1980 - Yrjo Vesterinen - Montesa
1979 - Malcolm Rathmell - Montesa
1978 - Martin Lampkin - Bultaco
1977 - Martin Lampkin - Bultaco
1976 - Martin Lampkin - Bultaco
1975 - Mick Andrews - Yamaha
1974 - Mick Andrews - Yamaha
1973 - Malcolm Rathmell - Bultaco
1972 - Mick Andrews - Ossa