Lampkin lands emotional title
By Sean Lawless on 11th May 16
Dougie Lampkin clinched a record-breaking and emotional 10th Scottish Six Days Trial win on Saturday.
The 40-year-old, whose father Martin died of cancer in April, successfully defended his SSDT title with a nine-mark win from Michael Brown. He now holds the record for being both the youngest and oldest winner having first won the event in 1994 aged 18.
After a steady opening day he moved ahead on Tuesday but was forced to surrender the lead on Wednesday night. However, by close of play on Thursday he was back in control.
"It's difficult to put into words just how I feel right now as it has been an incredibly tough week both mentally and physically,” he said. "Just a few weeks back I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to ride but after my mum had a word with me there was no chance I was getting out of it.
"It's been a massive week for my whole family and especially for my brother and my mum. To have Harry ride with me all week has been brilliant and then for my mum to come up and be at the sections later in the week was something very special and strong.
"It has been hard to keep my head together this week but there was a job to be done and that was even more important when it came to Saturday. The ride back from Nevis Forest to the final section at Town Hall Brae was definitely a strange feeling, especially when I thought about my dad.”
Lampkin, whose father took a hat-trick of SSDT wins in the 1970s, is now eying up a sixth consecutive victory in 2017.
"It's certainly been an emotional roller coaster,” he added, "but I want to come back next year and try and defend my title again as, after all, the Scottish has been a big part of my life and a big part of the Lampkin family life now for well over 50 years.
"To have won a 10th SSDT title and a second for Vertigo feels amazing and is something I will remember for a long time and is hopefully in some small way a fitting tribute to my father.
"I can't thank my team enough for their support over the last few weeks both prior to the event and throughout all six days, they have played a massive part in this win.”
