World Outdoor Trials Championship La Rabassa, Andorra -
Dabill
After a month long break from International duties, James
Dabill returned to the FIM World outdoor championship with
a tenth place finish at the Grand Prix of Andorra. The event
set high in the mountains of the small, but famous principality
marked the penultimate round in the ten trial series, that
will conclude in Belgium later in the month.
Although not one of his best performances of the season to
date, James battled hard in difficult conditions to make safe
his ninth position in the overall standings, in this his first
full year in the World championship proper. Having already
won the European title, and now guaranteed himself a place
in the World top ten, the twenty year old from Leeds, West
Yorkshire has achieved the two tough tasks he set himself
at the start of this season.
Dabill posted two consistent lap scores to miss out on ninth
place today by just five marks. James’ latest result
leaves him just four points behind his season long Polish
rival Tadeusz Blazusiak going into the final Grand Prix. A
strong result in Belgium could just see Dabill move up a position
in the final championship standings, which would be an unbelievable
achievement for the Top Trial Team rider.
With the temperature just under thirty degrees Celsius, James
begun well in the opening hazards, his single dab ride in
section three only being bettered by eventual winner Cabestany
and runner up Fujinami. However a string of fives during the
closing hazards, as he rushed to beat the time limit pushed
him down the order.
It was a similar story on lap two, with five fives in a row
in the last five sections spoiling what was looking like an
improved performance. A little disappointed, Dabill reflected
on his day.
“ I have not been at my best today, I started well
on both laps, but faded as the lap wore on. I think that was
because I was having to rush and did not have time to recover
properly between sections.”
“ The high altitude certainly took its toll on me,
but I know it was the same for everyone else, so that is not
an excuse, but simply a fact. I hope Belgium will bring better
things.”
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