James Dabill – Beta is hoping for a similar performance when the 2013 FIM Trial World Championship continues in Pobladura, Spain this coming weekend, after he just missed out on a podium place by a mere four marks at yesterday’s Grand Prix in Andorra. Dabill is one of the riders who looks to have adapted best to the new no-stop rules, which were introduced at the start of this season and that have been successfully implemented during the opening three rounds of this year’s series. Twenty-seven year old Dabill who finished sixth in last season’s final standings remains confident that he can break into the all important top five on a more consistent basis under the new and more dynamic style rules.
Up until now James’ best result came at his home Grand Prix at the end of the 2012 campaign, when for the first and only time in his career to date he made it onto the podium with a well received third spot in front of his many British fans. Having tasted the associated champagne and that feeling once, it is something that the four times British national champion would like to repeat and he sees no reason why that cannot be in Spain this weekend, given his current form and liking of the no-stop format.
Speaking after his recent success in Andorra, Dabill explained his thoughts and expectations. “Yesterday was a great result for me, but in some ways I am disappointed too, as I was so close to being on the podium and perhaps felt that I deserved to be a part of the celebrations with the way that I rode.”
“I know that a lot has been said about me having an advantage over the other riders this year, with me having ridden and won the British championship under no-stop rules last year, but whilst it has certainly helped it has not made a big difference really. I think the real reason I have adapted so well so far it that as a youth rider I rode with no-stop rules, so that it is how I first learned the sport of Trial and has been with me ever since.”
“Again a lot has been said about the new rules, both positive and negative, but my attitude is that as a rider you should just get on with it and see it as a new challenge. As you can see already, everyone is adapting to the new rules quite well including all the Spanish riders who have certainly been working hard over the winter to be ready for no-stop.”
“I think in some ways no-stop has made the results more open and has certainly started to mix things up and perhaps has given me an even bigger chance of being on the podium again and to finally break into the top five come the end of the year, so I am certainly not moaning about the changes.”
“It is obviously going to be difficult to beat the Spanish riders at their home GP, but as always I will be giving 100% as I am also aware that whilst you can ride well on home soil, it also brings extra pressure to ride well in front of your home fans. I want to be back on the podium and show that I can do it abroad as well as at home.”
“I remember Pobladura from when we were there two years ago. It’s a good venue with some really testing river sections, so I am looking forward to it. The guys at Beta have worked hard to give me a good package, so I want to reward them with another strong result this weekend.”