Despite a recent break in competitive duties Dougie Lampkin's schedule continues to be as hectic as ever. The soon to be thirty-six-year-old, who will celebrate his birthday later this week, has spent much of the early part of the year commuting to and from Spain to fulfil his various functions within the Gas Gas team. Lampkin's wide ranging role encompasses bike development both for production models and factory machines, as well as mentoring the official trial team riders. The latter duty has seen Dougie travelling with Adam Raga and Co to the first five rounds of the FIM X-Trial World Championship during the last three months.
As well as competing in a series of international extreme and indoor Enduro events, Dougie has also completed an ever increasing number of personal appearances and demonstrations, with the multi World Champion continuing to be a man very much in demand. Lampkin's ongoing broad appeal can be illustrated perfectly by his schedule during the last week or so.
Dougie's latest adventure saw him make a flying visit to Majorca to do his bit at an FIM X-Trial event, before briefly returning to the UK to take part in the press day for the Goodwood Festival of Speed ahead of flying off to South America for a demonstration in front of twenty-two thousand fans. This epic journey was rounded off with Lampkin conducting a trials school in Costa Rica before heading home.
Despite his hectic schedule Dougie is always keen to find time to visit the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, with the Festival of Speed held within the impressive grounds of the famous house each summer having become one of his favourite events in his packed calendar. Lampkin joined a whole host of motorsport legends and celebrities for the official media launch of this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, which will actually take place from 28th June to 1st July. As the UK's longest serving Red Bull athlete Dougie will once again be a part of the GAS action sports arena at the four day long event that will also welcome fellow Red Bull athlete and current Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
"Although it's been a few weeks now since I actually rode in a competitive event, my schedule has been busier than ever" Lampkin explained and continued, "obviously I still want to be competitive in events where I can still challenge for the win, but on the other hand it is clear that my priorities are now changing."
"Goodwood press day was as special as ever and something I am really proud to be included in once again, as it is totally unique and an event I thoroughly enjoy each time I am invited to be part of it. This year's Festival of Speed looks like it is going to be another great occasion, and is definitely going to be one of the big highlights of this summer." enthused Dougie.
Lampkin went on to say."The XKnights event in Costa Rica was a real eye opener and much, much bigger than I ever expected. It is not a country I have visited before, so it was nice to explore somewhere new and to find some of the best trials terrain on the planet. It was also good to catch up with my old riding buddies Marc Freixa and Marcel Justribo who were out there, as its been a few years since we last saw each other."
"I am now looking forward to a few days off and enjoying my birthday before my hectic schedule all kicks off again." Dougie ended.
Imageset 838