Dabill Settles For Second at British Championship Round 8

Factory Vertigo rider James Dabill remains very much on track to claim a second British Trials Championship for the marque as he finished runner up at round eight of the series to maintain his thirty-nine-point lead in the series with just three counting days to go. Unfortunately, Dabill on board his two stroke fuel injected Combat was unable to extend his 100% winning run in the 2016 campaign as he placed second to eventual winner Jack Sheppard this time out. 

Just six marks away from his eighth straight victory James was forced to ride most of the final lap in second gear after a heavy impact on the gear lever caused damage to the internal gear selector mechanism. With no time to effect a repair the defending champion elected to finish the event by riding the remaining sections in the only gear available, which ultimately was far from ideal and stopped him challenging for top honours on this occasion. 

The North Yorkshire venue close to the famous seaside resort of Whitby provided a suitable test for round eight of the current series with ruts and rocks being very much the order of the day. The opening hazard on a greasy banking was then followed by a trio of stream based sections in a nearby wooded area with the remaining hazards then being located on the exposed moor side. Light, but persistent rain throughout the competition added another ingredient to the test and ensured a good level of severity across the twelve hazards that were tackled three times. 

Sheppard's victory means he is now Dabill's closest challenger in the general standings as previously second placed Jack Price could only manage fourth spot today as up and coming Toby Martyn kept the recently crowned World Trial2 series winner off the podium. If James can increase his lead from thirty-nine points to over forty at the next round in Devon next month, he will secure his seventh domestic title ahead of the final two-day event in Scotland come October. 

Reflecting on his day Dabill said. "Obviously I am disappointed to have been beaten today and to have lost my 100% record, but on the other hand I am also just pleased to have been able to finish and especially in second place after I broke the gear selector. Nine times out of ten you clout the gear lever and do no damage, but today that was not the case. Being stuck in second gear on the last lap was far from ideal and definitely cost me marks." 

"The good news is that I have kept my points lead in the championship, and have a good chance of wrapping things up at the next round, so all in all its still a very positive position to be in." 

Both James and his fellow Vertigo factory team mate Jeroni Fajardo will return to the international stage next weekend as the final round of the 2016 FIM Trial World championship plays out over two days in the Italian hills. Vertigo will look to secure their second position in the manufacturers Championship in this only their second season of competing at the highest level.