Meet Loris Gubian

Check out this cool video by our friends at Moto Verte giving an inside look at the daily routine of our rider Loris Gubian! Click Here.

Team USA Prepares For Trial des Nations In Italy

USA TdN Teams. Photo by Rebecca DuVAl

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), in partnership with the North American Trials Council (NATC), has announced the men's and women's teams for the 2011 Trial des Nations in Tolmezzo, Italy, on Sept. 18-19.

The U.S. men's team is composed of riders Keith Wineland from Fountain, Colo., Bryan Roper from Glendale, Ariz., Karl Davis Jr. from Ormond Beach, Fla., and Eric Storz from Ventura, Calif., with Andrew Oldar from Aguanga, Calif., as an alternate. For the U.S. women's team, the competitors are Louise Forsley from Bernardston, Mass., Sarah Duke from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Caroline Allen from Norton, Mass., along with alternate Rachel Hassler from Albuquerque, N.M.

"MotoTrials continues to attract new riders to the sport every year, and much of that has to do with the inspirational rides and increased international recognition our riders earn at events such as the Trial des Nations," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "The Trial des Nations brings together the best trials riders in the world, and it is an honor for AMA racers to compete at this event. We're looking forward to a strong showing in Italy this September."

Brian Behling, CEO of the NATC, said that he expects experience to play a role in the U.S. team's showing.

"We are very proud to be taking a young and eager team to represent the United States at the Trial des Nations," Behling said. "Both the men and women will be led by experienced Trial des Nations veterans in Keith and Louise, as well as Sarah and Caroline, so expectations are high for a good result. They have all worked hard to achieve success in the AMA/NATC National MotoTrials series and will do their best to make U.S. MotoTrials fans proud of their efforts."

Kip Webb will be the men's team manager, and Behling will serve as the women's team manager. The team selection process and other background information about the U.S. Trial des Nations effort is outlined on the NATC's website at MotoTrial.us.

The sport of trials involves riders navigating their motorcycles over seemingly impossible terrain. The Trial des Nations began in Europe in 1983 as a way to bring the best trials riders from each country together to compete as teams, and it has evolved into one of the most anticipated motorcycle events of the year. Each competing country fields two teams: a men's team consisting of four riders and a women's team consisting of three riders.

Smage Takes 2011 Trials Title At TTC

Pat Smage is the 2011 champ! Photo by Rebecca DuVal

Patrick Smage collected his fourth national title in five years and along with it claimed the prestigious Geoff Aaron Achievement Award with a 1-1-2 performance at the final three rounds of the 2011 AMA/NATC National MotoTrials Series held at the Trials Training Center, in Sequatchie, Tennessee, topping defending champ Cody Webb to do so.

The Sherco USA-backed rider came into the weekend riding a wave of momentum after having won the previous three rounds in Texas and Pennsylvania, and by doing so started the finale weekend with a 10-point advantage over the American Beta-backed Webb in the series standings.

Set in the rugged mountain terrain of central Tennessee, the three-round finale was technical and tough, and featured numerous sections set in an extremely slippery rocky creek bed, which claimed instant fives from any rider venturing off his intended line.

The event would also use a modified format, which saw the Pros ride two laps of 12 sections in the morning, instead of the normal three, and then in the afternoon the top five riders would tackle four exhibition-type sections, set in a location easily accessible by spectators. This portion of the event was called the “Shootout” and these sections were much more difficult and spectacular than those ridden in the morning.

On Saturday, Smage got the ball rolling by cleaning the first four sections. Meanwhile, Webb put himself in a hole right off the bat when he carded a two in the second section and then a five in the third. From that point on Smage held the upper hand and needed only to match Webb ride for ride for the rest of the day to take the win.

Heading into the Shootout, Smage held a 10-point lead over Webb, and while Smage finished out the day with a pair of fives, the Wisconsinite took the win by an 11-point margin, finishing the day with 11 points compared to 22 for Webb.

Gas Gas USA’s Keith Wineland rounded out the podium with 52 marks, followed by Karl Davis Jr. (Shr) with 56 and Bryan Roper (Shr) with 61.

“Any day you can beat Cody it’s a good day,” said Smage. “He made a small mistake that allowed me to get ahead of him and I was able to turn in a good ride to take the win.”

Sunday’s event started off with Smage cleaning the first seven sections of the trial and finishing the opening lap with just three points. Webb came in with 15 marks, which included two fives. From that point on, the cast was set and Smage again cruised to a relatively easy win, finishing the day with a total of 10 points compared to 19 for Webb. The win locked up the title for Smage with one round remaining.

“It feel really good to get the title back,” said Smage, who won three-straight titles in ’07, ’08, and ’09, before Webb beat him out in 2010. “This has been a stressful and exhausting year, but it all paid off in the end.”

Surprisingly, Will Ibsen, who has been retired from national competition for two years, decided to give the Tennessee rounds a go and finished Sunday’s round with a solid third on Gas Gas after taking a total of 36 points.

Wineland was fourth with 57, with Davis taking fifth win 69 points.

During Monday’s final round, Webb was finally able to get untracked to claim his second win of the year, his first coming at the series opener in Texas. With the title already in the hands of Smage, Webb rode with virtually no pressure and easily headed an obviously depleted Smage, who afterwards admitted that it had taken all he had to win the previous two days.

At the end of the day, Webb turned in a nine-point card, while Smage struggled to finish the day with 32.

“I just made too many mistakes this weekend, but Pat rode well,” said Webb. “On Sunday afternoon, I decided to just ride and have fun and I started riding better, and I was able to get the win on Monday. I was able to ride for the crowd, which was pretty cool.”

Roper finished out Monday’s ride by taking his first-ever podium finish, the rookie Pro from Arizona dropping a total of 41 points to edge out Wineland, who also had 41 points, on the number of ones.

Smage finished the year with 200 points to take the title, with Webb accumulating 185 for second. Wineland was third in points with 141, while young Roper beat out Davis for fourth, 126 points to 111.

Photo Report: Pennsylvania Nat’l Trials

Shan Moore photos from the Pennsylvania Nat'l MotoTrials.

[View with PicLens]

Smage Sweeps Pennsylvania Trials

Valley View, PA, June 11, 2011 - Patrick Smage took a big lead in the 2011 AMA/NATC National MotoTrials Series title chase with a double win at rounds three and four of the series in Valley View, Pennsylvania, this weekend.

The Sherco USA-backed rider edged defending champ Cody Webb by just two points during Saturday’s competition, taking advantage of a couple of mistakes by Webb to take the advantage. However, for the most part the two title contenders were fairly even over 12-section course.

Webb held the slight edge after Saturday’s opening lap, posting a 16-point score on his factory Beta, while Smage dropped 17 on his Cabestany Replica. Surprisingly, Webb’s 16-point total included a five he took in section six when he crashed off of a large step and badly cut his lip and tongue. Smage, by the way, posted a clean ride in six on the first lap.

The crash in section six must have rattled Webb as the California rider failed to make it through the section on the second lap as well, which turned out to be his undoing. Smage scored a one in the section en route to an 11-point lap, while Webb turned in a 19-point total for the lap.

On the third and final lap, Webb managed to clean section six and went on to score 12 points for the lap, which was exceptional since a hard rain had turned the difficult sections into nearly impossible ones. However it was too little too late as Smage’s 16-point final lap gave the Wisconsinite the victory by just two dabs, 44 points to 47.

Gas Gas USA’s Keith Wineland turned in several stellar rides and rounded out the podium with a total of 106. Meanwhile, Arizona youngster and Sherco USA rider Bryan Roper was fourth with 120.

With a win under his belt, Smage looked even more confident on Sunday, and turned in a nearly flawless performance considering the difficult conditions. Smage’s first lap consisted of a three and four ones for a total of seven, while Webb suffered a costly five in the difficult eighth section and a three in number seven.

Smage trimmed the fat on his second lap to post a three-point scorecard, which was three less that what Webb came in with.

Smage’s final lap was phenomenal, as the three-time champ cleaned every section but one for a one-point card, giving him the overall victory by 10 points over Webb, who had a four-point final lap.

Wineland once again finished third with Roper fourth and Florida Sherco rider Karl Davis Jr. in fifth.

With just three rounds remaining on the schedule, Smage holds a 10-point lead over Webb in the series standings. The last three rounds will take place at the Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tennessee, on June 25-27.

Smage Wins Day One In Pennsylvania

Patrick Smage attacks one of the slippery steps in PA.

Valley View, PA, June 11, 2011 - Patrick Smage took a narrow, two-point win over Cody Webb at round three of the AMA/NATC National MotoTrials Series in Valley View, Pennsylvania, today.

Webb and Smage squared off on the rocky and slippery course, which was made even more treacherous by an afternoon rain shower. For the most part the two title contenders were fairly equal over the 12-section course, and at the end of the opening lap, Webb held the slight edge, posting a 16-point score on his factory Beta, while Smage dropped 17 on his Sherco USA-backed Cabestany Replica. Surprisingly, Webb’s 16-point total included a five he took in section six when he crashed off of a large step and badly cut his lip and tongue. Smage, by the way, posted a clean ride in six on the first lap.

The crash in section six must have rattled Webb as the California rider failed to make it through the section on the section lap as well, which turned out to be his undoing. Smage scored a one in the section en route to an 11-point lap, while Webb turned in a 19-point lap for lap two.

On the third and final lap, Webb managed to clean section six and went on to score 12 points for the lap, which was exceptional since a hard rain had turned the difficult into nearly impossible ones. However it was too little too late as Smage’s 16-point final lap gave the Wisconsinite the victory by just two dabs, 44 points to 47.

Gas Gas USA’s Keith Wineland turned in several stellar riders and rounded out the podium with a total of 106. Meanwhile, Arizona youngster and Sherco USA rider Bryan Roper was fourth with 120.

Karl Davis Jr. (Shr) was fifth with 132, while Gas Gas USA’s Eric Storz finished sixth with 141 and Sherco USA’s Andrew Oldar was sixth with 145.

OSSA in the USA

The US finally received it's first batch of 20 OSSA TR280i last week. Mike Komer, at the Tryals Shop, decided to adopt one of them as his new personal ride, finally retiring his trusty 2008 Scorpa. With a few days ride time now on the new mount, Mike reports that he is really impressed with the bike's performance, look, and build quality.

At this time, there are bikes, out of the first batch, still available. Contact the Tryals Shop (www.ossa-usa.com) or Lewisport USA (www.lewisportusa.com) to grab one for your own, as the cool factor is certainly high on these new babies.

Bou Back On Top On Day Two In France

Normal service was resumed when Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa claimed an emphatic win on the second day of the French Grand Prix, held at Breal-sous-Montfort close to the city of Rennes. Bou went totally clean on his final lap to eventually run out the clear victor ahead of a rejuvenated Albert Cabestany - Sherco. Day one winner Adam Raga - Gas Gas was third on this occasion, as round two of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship came to close after two days of hot competition.

Saturday's runner up Jeroni Fajardo - Ossa lost valuable time as he was forced to return to the paddock to make running repairs to his bike on the first lap, and was finally beaten to fourth place by Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa who placed one position better than yesterday. French rider Loris Gubian - Gas Gas gave the huge home crowd something to cheer about as he took a well deserved sixth spot on day two after riding well throughout the weekend.

Britain's twenty-year old Jack Challoner - Beta recorded his best ever result since moving up to the World Pro class, for the start of this season after winning the 2010 Junior title. Jack's seventh place put him ahead of his compatriots Michael Brown - Gas Gas and James Dabill - Beta who finished in eighth and ninth spots respectively. Matteo Grattarola - Gas Gas from Italy completed the top ten.

Today's Trial was very much a tale of two halves. At the end of the first lap Cabestany led Bou by a single mark after they both fived section eleven, the man-made waterfall. All the World Pro riders, except Alexz Wigg - Sherco failed this hazard on their initial visit. Behind the leading pair there was a tie for third, with both Fajardo and Fujinami having dropped seventeen marks apiece, making it a four way fight for the win, with Raga slightly off the pace on twenty marks at this stage.

The second lap was all about Bou, as the reigning and four times SPEA FIM Trial World Champion showed his true class by cleaning all fifteen sections to take the win by eleven marks from Cabestany. Raga mounted a fightback on lap two, however this was not enough to take the runners up spot, although it was sufficient for him to demote Fujinami to fourth. Fajardo's closing tour was an absolute disaster, and he can perhaps count himself lucky to have hung on to a top five placing.

For the second day in a row the Junior class podium was a Spanish lock out, with Alfredo Gomez - Montesa taking his third straight win of the season to open up an eleven point lead at the top of the general standings even at this early stage. This time around Gomez was joined by Francesc Moret - Montesa, who holds second in the series, and Pere Borrellas - Gas Gas who sits in fourth place in the table just behind Pol Tarres - Gas Gas, who finished off the rostrum today.

Matching Bou's closing performance, Jack Sheppard - Beta also went clean on his last lap to maintain his 100% record in the Youth category. Despite riding with a wrist injury, Sheppard was a clear winner today, finishing nine marks in front of Giacomo Saleri - Beta. France's Steven Coquelin - Gas Gas completed the podium, as Jack's main rival Cedric Tempier - Sherco was demoted to fourth spot on the second day of his home GP. Sheppard will head to the next round in Spain, next month, with a thirteen point margin over Tempier.

Info and photos courtesy G2F Media.

Trials and Enduro News Front Page

Raga Rules Day One in France

Just seven days after failing to make it on to the podium at the opening round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, Adam Raga - Gas Gas bounced back brilliantly with an important win on day one of the French Grand Prix. In hot and dusty conditions Jeroni Fajardo - Ossa also went some way to making amends for his poor form in Germany, as he took the runners up spot today ahead of an off colour Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa, who could only make third spot this time out.

Whilst only five marks separated the top three riders, a tense first day of competition was experienced at the purpose made Trial Park just outside Breal-sous-Montfort. The leading trio had a clear advantage over the other challengers. Like so many riders Albert Cabestany - Sherco suffered several fives for just touching markers, as the new rule really came into play after being of no significance in Gefrees. Cabestany eventually ended up in fourth position and three marks ahead of Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa, who completed the top five.

British riders James Dabill - Beta and Michael Brown - Gas Gas finished sixth and seventh respectively, leaving French hopeful Loris Gubian - Gas Gas down in eighth spot after he had threatened to do much better during the early stages in front of his home fans. Veteran campaigner Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas was a noticeable absentee, as the ex multi FIM Trial World champion missed his first GP since 1993, due to his ongoing ankle injury sustained at the recent Scottish Six Days Trial.

Bou and Raga were locked on fifteen marks apiece at the end of the first lap of fifteen dry sections, that were a mixture of natural hazards and man-made affairs. Both riders dropped two fives on their opening tour, Toni recording his second failure in section eleven. The reigning champion was also to start his closing lap with yet another mistake as he added five more marks to his total in only the second hazard, which he had cleaned earlier in the day.

Knowing that he was in with a chance of the victory Raga looked strong during his second lap, until he lost a soft five in the seventh hazard. Thankfully the twenty-nine year old held his nerve to finish two marks in front of Fajardo, as Bou suffered one more disaster in section nine to demote himself to the lower step of the podium. Last week's runner up Cabestany was never really in the running and can perhaps count himself fortunate to have taken fourth spot in the end.

In the Junior class the rostrum was an all Spanish affair, with Alfredo Gomez - Montesa making it two wins from two starts, to take control of the general standings even at this early stage in the season. Gomez's margin of victory today was seven marks, as Pol Tarres - Gas Gas recorded his best result since moving up to this class, by taking the runners up spot ahead of the more experienced Francesc Moret - Montesa.

Jack Sheppard - Beta matched Gomez's 100% feat, as he too took his second win of the series in the Youth category. Sheppard's single mark on the last lap was enough to seal the win from Cedric Tempier - Sherco who made the most of his home advantage. Steven Coquelin - Gas Gas made it two French riders on the podium, as he took third spot just one mark behind his compatriot Tempier.

Info and photos courtesy G2F Media.

Trials and Enduro News Front Page

Gas Gas Releases Raga Pro

Here's a look at the new Gas Gas Raga Pro:

Bou Wins World Trial Opener in Germany

Toni Bou

The 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship got underway with a superb opening Grand Prix in Gefrees, Germany that was won by reigning SPEA FIM Trial World Champion Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa. Although Bou was the victor once again, his route to the top of the podium was far from easy, in what proved to be a difficult Trial after rain on Saturday night drastically changed conditions out on the course.

In front of several thousand German fans Albert Cabestany - Sherco fought hard all day long, after an initial electrical problem had cost him an hour of valuable time at the start of the competition, to finish as runner up on the day. Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa completed the podium and came close to snatching second place as he rode himself back into contention, thanks to a stunning second lap, that was the best of the Trial.

Albert Cabestany

Adam Raga - Gas Gas and Jeroni Fajardo - Ossa gained fourth and fifth places respectively as both produced far better closing laps as conditions out on the course became drier, when the light rain that had been present in the morning finally disappeared. The Spanish duo were the last two riders on anything like winning pace, as James Dabill - Beta finished some twenty-seven marks behind Fajardo and down in sixth spot.

The high scoring theme continued with Matteo Grattarola - Gas Gas, Michael Brown - Gas Gas and Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas being the final three riders with totals under one hundred marks, as the rain made the sections ultra slippery on the opening lap. Lampkin, who sustained an ankle injury at the Scottish Six Days Trial just a week ago was forced to take several fives in order to not damage his ankle further.

Having finished second in the Junior class last year, Alfredo Gomez - Montesa confirmed his intent to go one better this season, as he opened his 2011 campaign with a solid win. Gomez's winning margin was ten marks over Francesc Moret - Montesa, and perhaps could have been more if he had not made unforced errors on his last lap. Pere Borrellas - Gas Gas was the third part of a Spanish rostrum lock out, as he demoted class newcomer Pol Tarres - Gas Gas into fourth place by a single mark.

It was a similar story in the Youth category, as 2010 vice World champion Jack Sheppard - Beta started his title assault with a convincing victory in conditions that seemed to suit the British rider. Despite winning the European event twenty four hours earlier, Cedric Tempier - Sherco was well defeated on the day, however still managed to finish ahead of third placed Giacomo Saleri - Beta as the battle of the younger stars got underway.

A total of sixty-three riders across the three classes confirmed the healthy state of the series, which will continue at pace as the second round of the championship takes place over two days in France next weekend.

Be sure to look for a full report in the June issue of Trials and Enduro News...  www.tandenews.com

RYP Radio

If you have yet to check it out, be sure to look up RYP Radio and listen to online interviews with a ton of the Trials industries biggest names! Click Here!

World Trials: Bou Set To Defend Title

Toni Bou will try to defend his title in 2011.

Reigning SPEA FIM Trial World Champion Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa will look to defend his title, as the 2011 campaign gets underway in Gefrees this weekend. Passing through no less than eight different countries over a period of five months, the championship kicks off in East Germany this coming Sunday. Having not featured on the event schedule since 2005, there is added excitement surrounding the German Grand Prix, especially with it being the opening round of the new series.

The now twenty-four year old Spaniard shows no sign of slowing down with him taking his fourth consecutive SPEA FIM X-Trial World Championship earlier in the year, winning each and every round along the way. Last year’s outdoor series was declared a huge success by all concerned, and with this in mind only minor tweaks have been made ready for the new campaign. This year riders will be allowed ninety seconds to complete each section, providing them with more time to show their amazing talent.

2011 also sees the introduction of a minimum bike weight, in order to limit the use of exotic and expensive materials and thus maintain the affordability of this great sport even at the highest level. 125cc machines must be no less than sixty-five kilograms, whilst the larger capacity machines are restricted to sixty-six kilograms.

With only a week separating the first and second events of the championship, the teams will pack their trucks after Germany and head immediately South-West into France for round two of the series. Breal-sous-Montfort is located only an hour away from the port of Saint Malo and marks the first of two, two-day events in the 2011 calendar – the other being the rescheduled Japanese GP in August.

The riders then have a four-week break before they arrive in Pobladura, Spain for the third Grand Prix of the year. Spain remains one of the most important stops on the tour, and will see countrymen Albert Cabestany - Sherco, Adam Raga - Gas Gas, Jeroni Fajardo - Ossa and current World champion Toni Bou all fighting for a win at their home GP. Once again the riders and teams will be on a tight schedule with the next round located in Sant Julia, Andorra being just seven days later.

Two weeks after Andorra the international entourage will land in Montecrestese, Italy for the fifth round of the championship followed by Fort William, Great Britain later the same month. After the recent chain of natural disasters in Japan the seventh and penultimate round of the series will now take place on August 20-21st at the fabulous Twin Ring circuit - Motegi. Following five months of trials and tribulations the championship comes to rest in Myslenice, Poland during the first weekend of September.

In the World Pro class all eyes will be on Toni Bou and the chasing pack of podium contenders, whilst in the Junior class Spaniard Alfredo Gomez - Montesa will be amongst the favourites, with last year’s champion Jack Challoner - Beta having now moved up a class for 2011. However Frenchman Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco or Spain’s Francesc Moret - Montesa are also aspirants, as is the case with 2010 Youth champion Pol Tarres – Gas Gas who will be once again looking to make his mark.

Similar to the Junior category the Youth class has also seen the path cleared with the departure of Tarres, leaving Jack Sheppard - Beta as the most obvious successor. However Sheppard’s task will be far from easy with Italian Giacomo Saleri - Beta also hungry for success. All will become clearer, when the action gets underway in Germany this weekend.

SSDT: Dabill Wins!

Overnight leader James Dabill - Beta held his nerve brilliantly to secure the win during a tense and close finish to the centenary edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT). Riding at the front of the field Dabill lost marks as early as the second group at Upper Mamore to see his advantage reduced to just two marks and then saw things come far too close for comfort as he dropped a further dab at Leanachan. Holding just a one mark lead going into Ben Nevis, Dabill showed great composure by cleaning all six sections in what looked like a certain winning performance until he parted with another dab at Nevis Forest to leave him tied on the same marks overall as Alexz Wigg - Sherco.

Further down the running order Wigg was more than aware of what Dabill was doing ahead of him and was showing the same steely determination that had netted him the win last year. Twelve months ago Alexz went clean on the final day to secure the victory, and as he exited Ben Nevis still unpenalised this time around it looked like history was about to repeat itself. Hasty calculations, with Wigg just three sections from home, revealed that he and Dabill were now tied on the same marks, but Alexz would be declared the winner due havinghad the most cleans throughout the week.

Dabill's wait back in the parc ferme was a long and agonising one, but the cheers within the Beta camp were both loud and immediate as news came through that Wigg had lost a dab in the very same section as James at Nevis Forest, thus confirming the twenty-five year old from Leeds as the 2011 SSDT victor. Alexz's day was about to go from bad to worse when his chain came off in the very last section of the trial at Town Hall Brae. His total of six marks on the day and nineteen overall cruelly demoted him to fourth in the final standings.

Graham Jarvis - Montesa actually tied on the same points as Wigg, as he too had his own disaster when he fived the top section at Ben Nevis within inches of the ends cards. These were the only marks the ex winner lost on day six, and this was sufficient for him to claim the last podium place as he returned to the SSDT after a two year absence. Initial leader Michael Brown - Gas Gas produced a strong closing ride to snatch second place overall and recover from a mid week bad patch that saw him slip down the order temporarily. Brown's single dab ride today was the best performance on day six. Local rider Gary MacDonald - Gas Gas finished in a highly respectable fifth position overall.

In the female class, the winner was far more clean cut with Emma Bristow - Ossa leading from the first day until the last and in the end beating her main rival Rebekah Cook - Sherco by a comfortable margin. 2002 SSDT victor Amos Bilbao - Montesa made a winning return to the event after being absent in more recent times when he took the top spot in the Over 40 category after a week long battle with John Shirt - Gas Gas. The newcomer award was won by Spain's Alfredo Gomez - Montesa, with Amos' riding partner moving well clear of Jack Sheppard - Beta over the closing two days.

All in all the one hundredth running of the Scottish Six Days Trial was a real success with exceptionally hot weather at the start of the week followed by a most dramatic conclusion. However a century on, the entrants remain the most important part of this great competition, with the two hundred and seventy six riders from around the globe who started on Monday each playing their part in creating this incredible moment in the history of what remains the most famous trial on the planet.

Results available at www.ssdtresults.co.uk

SSDT: Still Dabill

After a tough fifth day of the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) James Dabill - Beta remains ahead of his nearest rivals following a confident performance that saw him drop only two marks in the thirty observed sections, which were spread around today's seventy-nine mile peninsula based route. Dabill, who is the reigning British Trials Champion and is currently undefeated in this year's domestic series, holds a four mark advantage over Alexz Wigg - Sherco going into the final day.

Wigg, who himself was victorious at last year's SSDT, matched Dabill mark for mark today as he too parted with two dabs during his penultimate excursion in the Scottish Highlands. Twenty-one year old Wigg from Aylesbury in Oxfordshire started the week slowly by losing seven marks on the first day, which put him down in twelfth place, but has gradually ridden his way into contention as he looks for a second win in a row.

After one hundred and fifty sections Michael Brown - Gas Gas is on one mark more than Graham Jarvis - Montesa who dropped seven marks on day five, but was struck down by bike problems within sight of the parc ferme. Jarvis will need to use the thirty minutes working time tomorrow morning in an attempt to bring the four-stroke machine back to life. Whilst Jarvis's woes were late on, Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas endured problems all day long as he battled on with a badly injured left ankle. The five times former winner will not contest the final day in order to prevent further damage to his swollen joint.

Brown, who led the trial during the early part of the week, has at least kept his hopes alive with a solid showing during his early day when going out first on the course was ultra tough. His five mark ride today puts him two behind Wigg and six off Dabill going into the deciding encounter tomorrow. Brown's daily total was made up of five single dabs as he tried to keep himself out of trouble in the slippery conditions.

On what was the toughest day of the week so far, scores were much higher than the other days with some of the top ten riders losing as many marks in one day as they had done to date. Scotland's lone hope of a home win, disappeared as Gary MacDonald dropped eighteen marks including one on time today, which sees him slip to sixth position. It was a similar story for Ben Hemingway - Beta, Ian Austermuhle - Beta and James Lampkin - Beta who tumbled down the order as they too failed to shine on day five.

Today also proved to be decisive in terms of the sub-plot, for the supporting class awards. Emma Bristow - Ossa maintained a healthy advantage over Rebekah Cook - Sherco as the leading lady, whilst Alfredo Gomez - Montesa got one hand on the newcomers trophy as Jack Sheppard's - Beta challenge was derailed. Spain's popular rider Amos Bilbao - Montesa now looks to have the over 40 award in his grasp as John Shirt - Gas Gas endured a nightmare of a day.

So once again it appears that the SSDT winner will be decided on Ben Nevis on the final day, and by early tomorrow afternoon the identity of the centenary victor will be apparent and history will have been made.

Keep up to date with the latest news at www.ssdt.org

SSDT: Dabill Leads After Day Four

Under the first rain of the week, the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) welcomed its third different leader in three days as James Dabill - Beta moved to the top of the cumulative standings after only dropping a single mark earlier today. The recently turned twenty-five year old from Leeds, West Yorkshire who won the SSDT back in 2007, lost his mark at the top section at Gorton and now holds a one mark lead over Graham Jarvis - Montesa at this critical point in the trial.

Jarvis continues to enjoy a successful return to this event, and remains very much in contention to take his fifth win, after he also parted with just one dab, his being at Lochs Wood. Last night's leader Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas now sits in third place overall following a bad five at Fersit that saw the five times former winner badly damage his left ankle. Despite sustaining severe ligament damage Lampkin will attempt to ride and defend his position tomorrow after attending hospital earlier this evening.

Early event leader Michael Brown - Gas Gas recovered from his poor performance yesterday with a two dab ride today to leave himself locked on ten marks overall along with local rider Gary MacDonald - Gas Gas. The young Scottish rider also finished the day on two marks as he continues to keep himself amongst the front runners and in with a real chance of stealing a shock and historic win. 2010 victor Alexz Wigg - Sherco also remains in the hunt just one mark further back as he dropped three marks on day four out of six.

Ian Austermuhle - Beta produced the best ride of the day by completing the one hundred and twenty miles and thirty sections without loss. Austermuhle's clean showing moves him up to seventh spot in the overall standings. James Lampkin - Beta also enjoyed a good day four by losing one mark and in doing so now slots into eighth position in the combined results.

With a score of eight marks on the day Ben Hemingway - Beta endured his worst outing of the week so far and slipped down the leader board to ninth place. It was a similar story for Dan Thorpe - Gas Gas who also added eight to his tally today, to cling on to tenth position overall.

A mistake in the final section of the day cost teenager Jack Sheppard - Beta two marks, as he out pointed his main rival Alfredo Gomez - Montesa on this occasion in the race to become the best newcomer. Sheppard now trails Gomez by three marks overall with just two days of competition remaining. Emma Bristow - Ossa continues her domination of the female category and now looks set to defeat the pre-event favourite Rebekah Cook - Sherco if she can hold it together in the closing stages.

Tomorrow will mark the penultimate day in the centenary edition of the SSDT, with Friday's route covering seventy-nine miles around the peninsula. With more rain forecast, the day is sure to be both damp and dramatic once again.

Keep up to date with the latest news at www.ssdt.org

SSDT Day Three: Lampkin Takes Control

Dougie Lampkin - Beta signalled his intent to take a record breaking sixth win as he took over the lead of the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) as the centenary event reached the halfway stage. Thirty-five year old Dougie from Silsden, West Yorkshire dropped one mark in today's thirty sections to move to the head of the standings, as Tuesday's leader Michael Brown - Gas Gas endured his worst day thus far and fell back to fifth place overall. A soft five at the last section at Annatt cost Brown dearly as he dropped six marks on day three.

Things could not be tighter at the top, with Lampkin only having a slim advantage over James Dabill - Beta who rode himself back into contention with a single dab performance on the third of six days. The 2007 winner lost his only mark at Loch Shiel B post the lunch stop. Lampkin and Dabill are now closely followed by Graham Jarvis - Montesa who sits on seven marks in total after he parted with just a single mark in the difficult opening section at Inversanda. Last year's victor Alexz Wigg - Sherco went unpenalised today and now holds fourth spot on the same marks as Brown and Gary MacDonald - Gas Gas.

MacDonald kept his dream alive of becoming only the second ever Scottish rider to win this epic six day adventure, as he went clean on day three. Bob McGregor is Scotland's lone winner of the SSDT to date, his two successes being recorded way back in the 1930's, so a home win is long overdue. Gary currently sits in sixth position, but only four marks off the lead. A mere three marks then separates the next four riders, one mark between each, who complete the overall top ten. Ben Hemingway - Beta, Dan Thorpe - Gas Gas who also went clean today, Ian Austermuhle - Beta and James Lampkin - Beta are certainly a quartet locked in battle.

Two hundred and fifty two of the original two hundred and seventy six riders who started remain classified at the mid point in the competition with the warm weather and dry going being kind to both the entrants and their bikes. The three women riders who began the week are all still going, with Emma Bristow - Ossa continuing to extend her lead in the female category and sits well inside the top one hundred overall. Spain's Alfredo Gomez - Montesa remains as the best newcomer, just five marks ahead of Jack Sheppard - Beta. In the over 40 class John Shirt - Gas Gas currently leads ex SSDT winner Amos Bilbao - Montesa by three marks.

At one hundred and twenty miles, tomorrow's route is the longest of the week, and if history is anything to go by, then Thursday is often a defining day in deciding the eventual winner of the SSDT. The next three days are beautifully poised to create a dramatic and close finale to the one hundredth edition of this World famous event.

Keep up to date with the latest news at www.ssdt.org

Photo: Texas Nat’l Trials Sunday Images

Here are some of Shan Moore's images from Sunday's round of the National Trials in Texas.

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