Italian Outdoor Championship
Round 3 – 20/04/08
Valmalenco, Italy
James Dabill maintained his 100% record in the 2008 Italian
outdoor championship, with another win at round three, to
make it three victories from three starts. Dabill’s
margin of success on this ocassion was a massive twenty-four
marks over runner up Maurino. With James’ nearest title
challenger Lenzi pegged back to third place this time out,
Dabill has further extended his lead at the top of the general
standings.
With just three rounds completed Dabill on board his Future
TRW Montesa now holds a commanding twenty-three point advantage
over Lenzi, and currently looks the clear favourite to retain
the title he first won last season. The latest event held
at Valmalenco consisted of the normal Italian domestic format
of three laps of ten sections, which all had to be ridden
within an overall time limit of six hours.
Dabill signalled his intention of remaining undefeated in
this year’s championship with a solid opening lap, which
put him four marks clear of Grattarola despite some initial
nerves. From this point, James dominated proceedings with
two further improving laps. His lap scores of eleven and nine
marks respectively over the two closing tours were both by
far the best performances of the trial.
This latest win comes at an important moment, as Dabill looks
to restore his confidence after a couple of below par showings
at the opening two rounds of the 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World
championship. A pair of eighth positions has left James in
the same place in the series, in a season when the youngster
from Leeds is looking to break into the World’s elite
top six.
Dabill will remain in Italy, before travelling with the team
to the USA later this week, for the third round of the World
championship, which will take place over both days of this
coming weekend.
Pleased with his latest win Dabill stated “This is
a good result for me, as it is just the kind of boost I was
looking for ahead of going to America. Whilst I was always
favorite to win, the winning margin is the important fact
for me today.”
“It has been a disappointing start to the World championship
for me. In both events so far, I have struggled to find any
kind of consistency, with one good lap being spoilt by one
poor lap. I am hoping the trip to the USA will bring better
fortunes, and that I can now properly get my campaign underway.”
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