EXCLUSIVE: Dougie Lampkin On Eighth SSDT Victory

dougie ssdt win in storySafely back at his family home in Yorkshire, having made the long return drive from Fort William immediately after last night’s presentation, eight times Scottish Six Days Trial winner Dougie Lampkin was kind enough to speak to TC this morning whilst he was enjoying tea and toast with his wife and kids.

 

“It was the early hours of the morning when I got back, but I always like to be back in my own bed especially after having been away for over a week, and although I am definitely tired this morning it feels good to have that winning feeling again. The Scottish is a big ask for me these days as I am not training anywhere as much as before and there is no forgetting that I am also getting older too. This morning, all the time and effort I have put into winning the Scottish again feels very worthwhile as there is no better feeling than lifting that trophy after having given so much. I went to Fort William with one goal, so it is a case of job done."

 

It felt like a long week this year, but I wouldn’t swap the opportunity of riding and having the chance to win for anything. Nowadays I am doing a lot of demos, exhibitions, filming projects and testing, which are all great especially at this stage in my career, but they are no substitute for actually competing and fighting for the win. It’s hard to explain that feeling, although when you see the likes of Ryan Giggs still playing for Manchester United at forty, you can understand why he does not want to give it up. It’s not about money, it’s about that winning feeling, it’s like a drug that us sportsmen have become used to for a long period of our career.

 

My desire to experience that winning feeling again is what gives me the motivation that you need to have if you are going to put yourself through the pain and effort that is needed if I am going to be able to challenge the younger guys like James Dabill and Michael Brown. On more than one occasion I did question why I was putting myself through it again as I sat on the hillside near Kettlewell with the rain coming in sideways and I was there training for the third time in a week. Scotland is all about the preparation, but equally it is also about the pressure of the actual week. That pressure comes from within, not anywhere else and it is something you need to be able to deal with if you want to win.

 

Last year I went into the final day with a comfortable lead, however this time it was much closer. After having the five on Friday when my hand came off the handlebar I only had a five mark lead over Dibs (James Dabill) going into yesterday. My overriding feeling was that I was not going to give up a whole week’s work and let the win slip away so close to the finish and that is what drove me on. Dibs rode well on Saturday and really kept the pressure on, but I somehow managed to find that extra gear and to keep him at bay. The sections on Ben Nevis and in Nevis Forest right at the end were tough, so to have come through those unscathed was a real relief.

 

Getting my hands on that big trophy late last night made it all very worthwhile, and whilst I am going to enjoy that moment for a few weeks to come in reality my life won’t be stopping for any prolonged celebrations. I’ve got a busy week ahead including spending time with my wife Nicola and sons Alfie and Fraiser – who were only up in Scotland for the first few days – before I then head off to Spain to continue my work with Vertigo so as you can see I am already starting to work for next year’s Scottish, as it will be fantastic to bring the new bike to the SSDT and to try and give it a winning debut. It will be a big ask not so much for the bike, but for me, but it is something I am already starting to think about as it would be nice to have that winning feeling at least one more time!

 

The boys want to be out on their bikes now, so it looks like I am going to be spending a bit more time out in the rain today. Before I go please can I finish off by saying thanks to all those people who have already sent me messages of congratulations overnight, I am still working my way through them and enjoying reading each and every one of them.”

 

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