World Outdoor Trials Championship Mancha Real, Spain
Round 1 Day 1 Sunday (1 day event) 01/04/07
 Dougie
Lampkin started his 2007 World outdoor assault with a battling
third place at the opening Grand Prix of the new season held
in Mancha Real, Spain earlier today. Lampkin made a strong
challenge for his 100th World win and actually led the trial
in the early stages as he looked very much at home in the
wet and slippery conditions. However his fight faded during
the second lap, and in the end Dougie had to defeat his Japanese
team mate Fujinami on a most cleans tie break to hold on to
a well deserved third place.
Lampkin was one of the few riders smiling yesterday afternoon,
when the heavens opened and turned an already difficult course
into an impossible mess. Credit must be given to the organisers
for working hard to create a good event as rain throughout
the night threatened to wreck the first Grand Prix of the
campaign. All the sections, with the exception of the final
two man made affairs, were situated on the outskirts of the
town that featured steep limestone outcrops. The combination
of awkward steps with muddy run ups created some hefty scores.
After the first fifteen sections Dougie held a close third
place behind Raga, and eventual winner Bou, despite having
had to take a five at the penultimate section to finish within
his allotted time. Whilst both young Spanish riders improved
their scores on the final lap, Lampkin fought to remain in
contention and actually recorded a tally one mark more than
his morning performance. This however was just enough to take
the final podium position.
Lampkin commented. “Unlike many riders
I was actually happy to see the rain yesterday, as I knew
this would make the conditions better for me. Thankfully the
organisers decided to change the sections due to the weather
otherwise it could have been a real disaster. Whilst I am
happy to be on the podium at the first GP of the year, perhaps
I should have taken more advantage of the wet sections. Overall
it has not been a bad day, although we have to be aware of
the riders’ safety now we can have only one minder in
such a tough event.”
|
