Dabill Signs Off In Style

Factory Vertigo rider James Dabill brought to a close his title winning season with two more wins at the closing weekend of the 2016 British Trials Championship held north of the border in Scotland. Having already secured his second domestic crown on board his Combat and his seventh home title in total at the previous round, Dabill rounded off his campaign in real style by dominating both days of competition at the purpose developed Bob MacGregor Trials Academy to further extend his winning margin at the head of the final order. 

Confirming the performance and suitability over all types of terrain of the two-stroke fuel-injected engine, over the eleven counting days James was beaten only once and ended the series some fifty-four points ahead of his closest rival Jack Price. 

Glorious sunshine and bright blue skies defined Saturday's event, despite the cold morning temperatures. Whilst conditions overhead were dry, the sections were anything but with rain in the days prior to the event having soaked the rocky landscape and leaving the going very slippery for the opening encounter of the weekend. One five, that being in the fourth hazard on the first lap, spoiling an otherwise strong early showing by Dabill as he edged himself clear of his rivals ahead of two further laps of the twelve testing sections. 

James was to record two further failures at section four over the remainder of the day, but this would not dent his overall performance as he ended Saturday seven marks clear of eventual runner up Jack Price who kept Dabill honest throughout the tenth counting day of the series. 

Sunday played out in a similar fashion, with unusually good weather still shining on the compact venue that showed its true scope as the organisers introduced a number of new sections and some revisions to the hazards that were repeated on day two. Wanting to round out his campaign with yet another victory, Dabill in dominant form on the closing day of the championship delivered three exceptional laps in the continued greasy conditions to run out a clear winner over Price for the second day running. This time out James' winning margin was an impressive nineteen marks.  

Speaking after having scooped up his latest armful of silverware, James said. "Sometimes when you are not under any pressure you don't produce your best riding and that could have been the case this weekend with me having already taken the title. However, I really wanted to end the season on a high and to add more wins to my total." 

"Despite the slippery going I was able to take the two wins as I hoped and really finish the championship off in the way I had planned. Looking back on the series, it has been another good year for both me and Vertigo and I would like to thank everyone in the team who has helped me throughout 2016. Although I am really happy with how things have gone, it was just a bit of a shame that I missed out on making it a clean sweep. Anyway at least I have got that to go for in 2017."