Grand Prix of Ireland - Bangor, Northern Ireland –
5th / 6th April 2008
Round 2 - 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship
(Incorporating Round 1 – 2008 UEM Trial European Championship)
 Bangor
beckons for round two of the 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship
In a little over a week’s time the World’s elite
motorcycle riders will be in Bangor for the Grand Prix of
Ireland, which will form the second round of the 2008 FIM
SPEA Trial World Championship. The event that will take place
over the weekend of the 5th and 6th of April and will also
include the opening round of the European series on Saturday,
prior to Sunday’s World competition. The riders last
visited this beautiful coastline venue back in 2003 and 2004
when the competition was widely recognised as one of the best
competitions of the season on both occasions.
Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa – Spain, is the reigning
World Champion and is set for the challenge of retaining his
crown. “I remember Bangor very well, as it was the first
time I competed in the World championship, and the place where
I scored my first points. I liked the trial a lot, although
it is not similar terrain to my home country. It will be a
difficult competition as it is early in the championship and
all the riders will be strong. I will be hoping for the victory,
but I will still be happy if I am on the podium.”
Adam Raga – Gas Gas – Spain had to settle for
second place in the 2007 series behind Bou, after twice winning
the crown in 2005 and 2006. “I have some very good memories
of Bangor from when I rode there in 2003 and 2004. The thing
I remember the most is that the sections were very slippery,
but it was still a good trial. All the riders will want to
win, as that is normal, but the conditions may suit Lampkin.
I will be doing my best to win, as that is always my ultimate
goal.”
Dougie Lampkin – Beta – UK is looking for his
99th Grand Prix win, and to continue his winning run in Bangor.
“It would be great to achieve my 100th win at what I
would regard as my home GP. The sections should suit my riding
style, so I am hoping that I can repeat the victories I took
in Bangor in both 2003 and 2004. The younger riders may have
an advantage over me now, but I will be looking to use all
my experience to try and make it a special weekend.”
Alexz Wigg – Montesa – UK was the Youth World
Champion in 2006, and was runner up in the Junior class last
year, so he is the hot favourite for top honours in this category
this season. “With no GP on the mainland in 2008, and
with me having an Irish minder, I will be looking for plenty
of home support as that really helps. I have never been to
Bangor before, but I have watched the DVD’s from 2003
and 2004. It looks a good trial, and one that I can hopefully
win.”
No less than sixty-two riders representing twelve different
nations are scheduled to take part in the World event, from
countries as far away as America, Japan and New Zealand.
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