Colonial National Trial 11 February 2007
Rosedale Valley
1: James Dabill 17
2: Alexz Wigg 30
3: Ian Austlemuhle 30
4: Michael Brown 35
5: Sam Ludgate 37
6: Dan Thorpe 38
Reigning European champion James Dabill opened his account
on board his Sandiford supported, Future TRW Montesa Cota
4RT with a winning debut ride. After several weeks of testing
and training with his Italian team at their Bergamo base,
Dabill returned to the UK for his first competitive ride at
the Colonial national, an event that he won last year.
Despite the switch in machinery over the winter period, the
youngster from Leeds was in no mood to surrender the winners’
trophy, as he once again romped to a convincing victory at
the first important national trial of the season. James came
home well clear of World Junior champion Alexz Wigg and ex
Beta team mate Ian Austlemuhle.
Heavy snow and severe frost in the Rosedale valley in the
days prior to the trial meant the original one lap forty section
course had to be shortened to a more compact loop that featured
twenty hazards that were ridden twice.
Whilst the ice and snow had melted by the time the first
rider got underway, conditions were heavy, with swollen streams
and very muddy bankings being the order of the day. Dabill
had already put himself clear of his rivals with a first lap
total of thirteen marks, and further extended his advantage
as he dropped a mere four marks on his closing lap.
Showing that he has adapted well to the four stroke power,
James completed the day without a single five. He dropped
just two threes, with the remainder of his marks being lost
through two and one mark rides.
Delighted with his winning start Dabill commented. “
I am over the moon to have won first time out and by such
a comfortable margin. I think there were a few people who
were concerned about me making the switch to Montesa in a
similar manner to the way they questioned Bou’s move.
Hopefully like the way he has responded, my win will send
out a message just how good the bike is at national level
as well as World level. It is going to be a long and tough
year, and one win is not enough to base the season on, but
it is great start and has given me good confidence to move
forward without any doubt in my mind what so ever, that I
can be equally competitive on the four stroke as I was on
the two stroke.”
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