Top Doug

The two Yorkshire aces ended their week locked on 15 marks each and a count-up revealed that both contenders had accumulated exactly the same number of cleans, ones, twos, threes and fives. 

 

The tie-break then went to furthest clean and Doug finally claimed victory, as he made it to the 17th section on Wednesday before finally conceding a big dab admitting, "I needed every inch of it!” 

 

James had dropped his first mark at the 10th section on Tuesday morning.

 

Doug led for most of the week and on Thursday had built-up a three mark cushion, as Dabill dropped 10 on his early-start day. 

 

But it all turned round again on Friday as Dougie, Michael Brown and Alexz Wigg faced their early start and Dabill's brilliant clean at the back of the field brought him right back into contention. 

 

With Lampkin 12, Dabill 13 and Michael Brown on 14 it couldn't have been closer with everything to win – and lose.

 

And with Doug and Browny right at the back of the field with Dibs 20 minutes ahead of them a mega nervous day was the prospect.

 

Dabill did absolutely everything he could, staying clean right up to a pair of absolute stunning sections at Achintee. 

 

James made a brilliant ascent, losing just a single mark in the upper sub, but then was caught on section 28 in Nevis Forest for a further single.

 

Doug had already dropped a one at Pipeline and an amazing pressure ride at Achintee, which he cracked for two dabs, put him level with James – and the countback began which would ultimately see Doug win a record-breaking sixth SSDT.

 

Said Doug, "After the last two years with a mechanical problem in 2010 and having to drop out after injuring my ankle in the Centenary year I thought I would never win another Scottish again.

 

"I really wanted this win for Gas Gas and I can tell all my rivals that I'll be back again next year for a seventh!”