World Outdoor Trials Championship
Round 1 – 30/03/08
Ettelbruck, Luxembourg
 James
Dabill made a disappointing start to his 2008 FIM SPEA Trial
World Championship campaign, with an eighth place at the opening
round of the series held in the small town of Ettelbruck,
Luxembourg. Dabill who has recently won the first two rounds
of the Italian domestic championship, looked strong in the
official practice sessions over the two days prior to the
trial, but failed to repeat this form in the competition itself.
Rain sodden ground made conditions very slippery on a course
that was almost entirely made up of man made sections. The
wet soil dragged on to the carefully positioned and imported
boulders to create a stiff challenge for the World’s
best riders. This reflected in James’ first lap score
of forty-six marks that included no less than eight maximums.
The large season opening entry on the compact course brought
its problems with the Youth riders tangling with James and
co early on the first lap, as the youngsters came round for
their second visit to the sections. Knowing that time would
be an issue Dabill opted to ride ahead of his rivals, without
the benefit of being able to watch his peers.
Despite a torrid first lap, Dabill found himself only two
marks off sixth spot and just ten marks behind Cabestany in
fifth at the halfway point. The warm and sometimes bright
weather brought a rapid change in conditions, as the mud turned
to dust in a matter of a few hours.
Although the soil was now mainly dry, it still offered little
grip, especially for James who struggled even more as the
competition wore on. Lap two saw Dabill fail to improve, with
nine failures to add to his tally this time around, to leave
him with a hefty lap score of fifty five marks.
Thankfully despite this poor closing performance, James managed
to hold onto eighth position, and in doing so finished just
ahead of his compatriot and friend Michael Brown.
Gutted by his riding on the day, Dabill spoke of his disappointment.
“This is a massive kicking after having ridden so well
at the opening rounds of the Italian championship. I felt
good in practice, and thought that the British like conditions
were going to suit me well.”
“ All day I have struggled to find grip, and never
got enough speed up on the approaches to the steps. The second
lap was a real disaster, with one five after another. I need
to do some more training in the wet, so that I can be better
equipped for Bangor next weekend.”
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