British Trials Championship
Round 7 – Hook Woods, Surrey
James Dabill narrowly missed out on winning round seven of
the British trials championship by virtue of a most cleans
tie-break. Dabill on board his Sandiford supported, Future
TRW Montesa Cota 4RT had led the event for two, out of the
three laps of twelve sections, but a five at the fifth hazard
on his last visit left him tied with Shaun Morris.
Morris won the tie-break and duly took the victory having
recorded two more cleans than Dabill, after the Gas Gas rider
completed his final lap unpenalised. The day had started well
for James, with the young Yorkshireman adapting well to the
Southern conditions and only needing single dabs at sections
six and eight on his first lap.
Dabill actually went one better on his second lap, losing
just one mark at the fifth hazard this time around, to hold
a seven mark lead over Morris with just one lap to go. This
was the first time that the South Eastern centre had hosted
a championship round, with the mixture of earth bankings and
imported boulders creating a worthy venue for an event of
this status.
Having never looked in any real trouble in the dry conditions
on the previous two laps, Dabill’s failure at section
five on the final lap came as a shock to everyone present,
not least James. Despite this Dabill knew that Morris would
have to produce a special closing performance if he was to
rob him of the win. Unfortunately for the twenty one year
old from Leeds this proved to be the case, as Morris remained
feet up through all twelve sections.
A clash of date will prevent Dabill competing in the final
round of the British series, as James will be riding at the
last round of the Italian championship on the same day. Dabill
currently heads the overall standings in Italy by eight points
with just one round remaining. The weekend prior to this,
James will represent Great Britain in the Trial Des Nations
event on the Isle of Man.
Disappointed at being beaten by such a small margin Dabill
reflected on his performance after the prize giving presentation.
“Apart from that one mistake on the last lap, I was
happy with the way I was riding. I knew when we looked round
yesterday, that the trial was on the easy side, and that any
error could cost you the win.”
“That proved to be true, but I must congratulate Shaun
on a great last lap, as to clean everything was a good ride
especially when he was under pressure.”
|
