Fabulous, absolutely fabulous. A great venue, with some superb riding, combined with brilliant organisation, produced a fantastic display, and a result from the first day that came close to the best possible from the Brits – second place in all three classes from Dougie Lampkin, Jack Challoner and Jack Sheppard.
And if you haven’t yet picked up what I’m writing about, of course it’s the World Trial GP from Nevis Range, Fort William – and I hate calling it a Trial GP
We’ve been waiting a long time for Dougie Lampkin to post his 100th world round win, and the hot belief prior to the trial starting was that if he could do it anywere, it would be in Scotland. He didn’t manage the achievement, but how can you criticise second place. Even Doug said that he had ridden well, and if it not had been for Toni Bou, that 100th victory would have been his. Bou was again at his brilliant, stunning best, and despite a shaky start, was soon into the form that nets him win after win.
But it was certainly world trials that was the winner from Scotland, because the 15 sections came as close as they possibly can be to no-stop, traditional Scottish hazards. Inspection of the sections by the riders takes place on Friday afternoon and whilst the first seven were tight turns over classic Scottish boulders, sections eight through to eleven were straight up a steep, moss covered stream just five minutes walk from the gondola station on Aonach Mor. “Too easy” was heard from some riders, amazed that section planner Martin Lampkin had picked a classic Scottish stream to test the world’s best. And test them it did, with marks cast aside on the most innocuous of rocks that club trials riders face every Sunday.
To see such natural sections in a world championship event was a joy for the bulk of the spectators who thronged the grassy hillsides to see the action though the nasty Scottish midges were a real pain under the trees.
Bringing the world trial to Scotland was a big gamble for L + M Events, for despite having much success at Hawkstone Park, taking the trial out of an area with a big urban population was always going to be risky. But they persuaded big sponsors to come on board and despite the problems faced with organising a motor sport event on land that is only host to MTB events, they promoted a competition that far exceeded anything previously seen at a world trial in the UK.
So well done to them, well done to Rio Tinto Alcan for giving permission and well done to the sponsors for putting their faith and money into the organisation. And having given Dougie plaudits for his efforts, well done to Jack Challoner and his namesake, Jack Sheppard for keeping the British flag flying in the Junior and Youth World Championship classes.
This is being written on Saturday following the first day of action, and as explained in last week’s column, I’m not in Fort William for day two, so I trust that all the good things that have come out of day one are repeated for day two. Maybe Dougie will make it 100 wins. Who knows?
I don’t normally use this column to promote specific events apart from those that affect all enthusiasts of the sport, but I’ll make exception to remind northern based riders that after an eight (nine?) year lapse, the Hardaker national trial makes a welcome return to the Glaisdale area of North Yorkshire.
The Hardaker used to be held in mid January, I think 2001 was the last one, but the organising Guisborough Club lost the use of the land due to illegal trail riding. However, it is back following some hard work by various local bodies and will take place on July 25. The club deserves some support as it’s not often that a big trial can be resurrected following an extensive demise.
Provide that support if you possibly can.