Dougie Lampkin heads British armada at Santigosa Three Day Trial
By John Dickinson on 4th Apr 18
A large British contingent headed for Spain over the Easter holidays to take part in the Santigosa Three Day Trial, headed by 12-times World Champion Dougie Lampkin who made his competition debut on the new, limited edition Vertigo Dougie Lampkin Replica.
The 47th running of the event, staged in Catalunya in the Girona Province by the St Joan de les Abadesses club, comprised three different days routes with 31 sections each day. And in contrast to the wet weather endured in Britain over Easter the Santigosa was blessed with fine, sunny days - although it was cold in the mornings!
It was a battle of nerves for the top spot with very low scoring and it was teenager Gabriel Marcelli who eventually triumphed on a Montesa from Jorge Casales on the factory Vertigo and a surprise third for Jotagas signing Oriol Nogeuera.
Dougie finished a fighting fifth overall on just nine points, sandwiched in between the Montesas of Francesc Moret and Toby Martyn, the Cornish rider making an excellent showing as he makes the transition to four-stroke power.
And making it three Brits in the top 10 from a mighty starting line-up of 233 (and over 50 riders failing to make the cut) was Tom Affleck who dropped just 26 marks. Other notable performances were Martin Crosswaite and Ben Hemingway in the top 20, Steve Saunders finishing 23rd overall and top Veteran B and best Youth performance from Harry Hemingway in 86th overall on 139 marks but riding the same course!
Laia Sanz, 13 times World Ladies Trials Chanp, but these days concentrating on her Rallye riding, made a rare trials appearance and showed she still has the silky skills -as well as phenomenal speed in the Dakar - to top the Ladies class and finish 17th overall on just 45 marks.
Santigosa Three Day Trial Results
Overall: Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) 2, Jorge Casales (Vertigo) 3, Oriol Noguera (Jotagas) 6, Francesc Moret (Montesa) 7, Doug Lampkin (Vertigo) 9, Toby Martyn (Montesa) 12, Joan Pons (Beta) 15, Sondre Do (TRS) 26, Matteo Poli (Vertigo) 26, Tom Affleck (Vertigo) 26... 14 Martin Crosswaite (Beta) 39, 16 Ben Hemingway (Beta) 41, 23 Steve Saunders (TRS) 57, 24 Dan Hemingway (Beta) 51, 32 Oliver Smith (Gas Gas) 60, 86 (Best Youth) Harry Hemingway (Beta) 139.
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