Teenager Jack Sheppard finished in fourth place in the Junior class on the first day of the second round of 2012 FIM Trial World Championship, held in Australia for the first time in the series' long history. It was a solid result for the Jitsie factory Beta rider, who was just three marks adrift of third spot despite riding with a wrist injury that is still not one hundred per cent following surgery during the winter.
The weather in Mount Tarrengower was far from the typical images of sunshine and beaches that are synonymous with Australia. Jack had to wrap up warm prior to lap one as the temperature dipped to ten degrees, while light showers made the sections even more difficult. However, even though the elements were against him Jack started the trial strongly, cleaning the first two sections. Sadly, though, the eighteen-year-old could not maintain this momentum as the lap progressed.
Disappointed with a poor first lap that, with hindsight, cost him a podium position, Sheppard was intent on maintaining his focus and making fewer mistakes during the second circulation. He executed the lap with much more composure to beat his previous score by eleven marks and finish a comfortable fourth.
"I started off well with two cleans on the first two sections," said Sheppard. "But then I fived the next one and it went downhill from there. I was just making too many mistakes and I fived quite a few hazards, which was disappointing. The second lap did not start off great, but I kept steady and it turned into quite a good lap compared to the first lap. The sections were great and I really enjoyed the trial, but I made too many big mistakes.
"The crowd today were excellent today," continued Jack. "Whether you cleaned a section or fived it there were big cheers from them, so that was great. It was a fantastic event and it is good to be here, it is just a shame I could not do a little better. However, despite the mistakes I still finished fourth, which is not too bad – it could have been worse.
"Naturally, I am hoping to improve tomorrow. If I can start a little better and carry that through to the finish then I should be okay. Hopefully the sections will not be changed too much. I have heard the organisers may make a few alterations to make it a little easier, but I would prefer it if they left them reasonably hard as I really enjoyed myself today - it was a great lap."