World Trials Championship
Round 10
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Dabill
Having already achieved one of his 2006 goals by clinching
the European championship earlier in the season, James Dabill
completed his second target for the year by finishing in the
World’s top ten. A solid eighth place at today’s
final round held at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium gave James
ninth position in the overall standings, in this his first
full campaign at this level.
Just three points separated Dabill from taking eighth in
the championship, as despite finishing ahead of him today,
James finally lost his season long battle with Polish rider
Tadeusz Blazusiak by the smallest of margins. Two consistent
laps saw James beat the Scorpa rider by a clear twelve marks
today.
As was the case here twelve months earlier, the course comprised
of mainly man made sections set around the outside of the
tarmac circuit. Rain in the days prior to the trial had left
the ground damp and caused mud to drag on to the large boulders.
Although the overcast skies threatened rain at times, the
weather kept dry, but did not prevent the hazards becoming
very slippery as the day played out.
Four fives on the first lap, and then five further maximums
on the second visit to the fifteen sections confirmed the
severity of the event, as James fought hard to pull his way
up the leader board after a mixed start to the day. A strong
finish to his debut World championship campaign has put Dabill
in good form ahead of next week’s Trial Des Nations
event in France, where he will represent Great Britain as
part of a four rider team.
Reflecting on today and the rest of the season, James was
positive about his performance overall.
“It is a nice way to finish off with a reasonably good
result, and although I would obviously liked to have taking
eighth place, ninth is still an excellent achievement in this
my first real attempt.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the
Top Trial Team for all their efforts, my family for their
kind support and also my girlfriend Emma for doing her bit
too.”
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