SSDT: Dougie takes emotional tenth win
By John Dickinson on 8th May 16
USING all his years of experience to maximum effect, Dougie Lampkin, at the age of 40, pulled off a stunning final days ride to claim an emotional tenth win in the Scottish Six Days Trial, his second successive victory on the Vertigo machine he helped to develop. Dougs eventual winning margin over runner-up, Gas Gas star Michael Brown, was an impressive nine marks, 17 to 26.
It was a very difficult day for Lampkin as the rotating start order had put him towards the front of the field again (his real early day had been Monday) but due to the severity of many of the sections, especially on Ben Nevis for the final group, many early arrivals opted not to even attempt the sections, just taking their machines through the Begins cards and heading off towards the finish.
Doug's clean on the second of three subs on The Ben was absolutely stunning. He somehow negotiated the first half of the river, which was all nasty holes that snagged the majority of riders, then took a line previously not attempted, over slimy large round boulders, in a ride that ultimately ensured victory and encapsulated the Lampkin determination.
In contrast, Michael Brown was riding right at the back of the entry and looking relaxed and comfortable with team mates John Shirt and Alexz Wigg but even after a long, carefully studied inspection of the section, Michael fell foul of the nasty early part and had to settle for a three. But second overall was a great confidence boost for the Gas Gas rider.
And making it a great day for the Vertigo team James Dabill took third place, finishing strongly, as did Jack Sheppard in fourth. Sam Haslam slid his Gasser ahead of Wiggy to steal fifth, Sam Connor finished strongly in seventh, local ace Gary Macdonald took yet another top ten place, first day leader Joe Baker finished eighth, and enduro start Tom Sagar took a superb tenth.
Teenager Tom Hooper bagged the First timer award with a fantastic ride finishing 20th on his 125 Sherco and Emma Bristow ran away with the Ladies trophy ending her week in an impressive 42ndoverall.
There were 231 official finishers which meant that a total of 54 riders failed to complete the course.
