Lampkin Seals Historic Tenth SSDT Win
By TMX Archives on 8th May 16
History was made once again as the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) came to close with Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) sealing an unprecedented tenth win.
Lampkin took a six-mark lead into the final day and looked well in command having only parted with a single dab before arriving at the much revered sections on Ben Nevis. Riding at the front of the field Dougie faced an incredibly tough and tense task as he battled his way through the remaining slippery hazards for the loss of a further four marks.
Lampkin's total of five on the day proved to be Saturday's best performance as his main rival Michael Brown (Gas Gas) failed to capitalise on his late starting position that meant the sections were in much better shape by the time he arrived at the two decisive groups ahead of the final test back in the centre of Fort William.
Brown's score of eight for the day was enough to secure him the runner-up spot overall, nine marks back from Lampkin, but still six marks in front of third-placed James Dabill (Vertigo) who matched Michael's tally on the last day.
Former World Youth Champion Jack Sheppard (Beta) rounded off what has been his best week in the Scottish Highlands with yet another strong showing, his seven-mark total on day six saw him claim a well-deserved fourth spot overall.
Sam Haslam (Gas Gas) out-rode his team mate Alexz Wigg (Gas Gas) on the final day to end the week four points clear of his friend and rival as this southern based pairing secured fifth and sixth spots respectively.
The southern theme continued in seventh place too, with previous SSDT winner Sam Connor (Beta) moving up two places on the last day of the competition much thanks to a solid closing performance. His late success was at the expense of local favourite Gary MacDonald (Scorpa) who eventually ended up in perhaps a slightly disappointing eighth place after having threatened the higher order earlier in the week.
It was a similar kind of story for Monday's leader Joe Baker (Sherco) who slipped to ninth position overall come the finish, leaving Tom Sagar (Sherco) to round out the top ten rankings.
Young Tom Hooper (Sherco) signed off on an outstanding SSDT debut by claiming 20th place overall and easily winning the award for best newcomer despite riding a small capacity bike in what is still regarded as one of the toughest events in the trials calendar.
Equally impressive was the performance of reigning Women's Trial World Champion, Emma Bristow (Sherco) who sealed 42nd place overall while also dominating the fight to be the best female rider by a huge margin.
Gary MacDonald ended the week as the highest placed Scottish rider, which was hopefully some consolation for his final position overall.
Fitting, it was Dougie Lampkin who added the best Over 40 award to his main prize to reinforce the scale of his achievement.
Dougie's tenth SSDT victory coming a little over a month after the sad passing of his father Martin, who was a former three-time winner of the Scottish himself, and whom will have been heavily in Dougie's thoughts throughout what has been an extraordinary week for the veteran champion even by his standards.
To find out more about the Scottish Six Days Trial, please visit the official website at www.ssdt.org.
Results – Day 6 – Saturday
1 Dougie Lampkin (300 Vertigo) 5 + 12 = 17
2 Michael Brown (300 JST Gas Gas) 8 + 18 = 26
3 James Dabill (300 Vertigo Factory ) 8 + 24 = 32
4 Jack Sheppard (300 Beta UK) 7 + 32 = 39
5 Sam Haslam (300 Gas Gas) 9 + 38 = 47
6 Alexz Wigg (300 JST Gas Gas UK) 13 + 38 = 51
7 Sam Connor (300 Beta) 10 + 41 = 51
8 Gary MacDonald (300 Scorpa) 13 + 39 = 52
9 Joe Baker (300 MRS Active Bikesport Sherco) 12 + 41 = 53
10 Tom Sagar (300 Sherco) 7 + 53 = 60
11 Ben Hemingway (MRS Sherco) 17 + 55 = 72
12 Jonathan Richardson (300 Beta) 25 + 49 = 74
13 Ross Danby (300 TRS UK) 12 + 63 = 75
14 Guy Kendrew (300 Beta) 15 + 65 = 80
15 James Stones (300 MRS Sherco) 26 + 54 = 80
16 Dan Thorpe (300 Gas Gas) 10 + 71 = 81
17 James Lampkin (250 Beta UK) 25 + 57 = 82
18 Luke Walker (300 MRS Sherco) 10 + 75 = 85
19 Declan Bullock (300 Beta) 14 + 71 = 85
20 Tom Hooper (125 MRS RCM Sherco) 17 + 70 = 87
21 Amos Bilbao (249 Montesa) 25 + 66 = 91
22 Chris Pearson (300 MRS Splat Sherco) 19 + 92 = 111
23 Andy Chilton (260 Montesa Honda) 21 + 90 = 111
24 Thomas Hick (300 Acklams Beta) 20 + 92 = 112
25 Dan Hemingway (300 Beta) 24 + 93 = 117
Best Newcomer: Tom Hooper (125 MRS RCM Sherco) 17 + 70 = 87
Best Lady : Emma Bristow (300 MRS Sherco) 48 + 128 = 176
Best Services: Phil Wiffen (300 Acklams Beta) 46 + 274 = 320
Best Over 40: Dougie Lampkin (300 Vertigo) 5 + 12 = 17
Best Scot: Gary MacDonald (300 Scorpa) 13 + 39 = 52
Best Scottish Newcomer: Lewis Byron (125 Putoline Beta) 45 + 236 = 281
