ERZBERG EXTREME ENDURO - ERZBERG, AUSTRIA
Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas finished second at the notorious Erzberg extreme enduro, held in Austria despite suffering from a serious ankle injury picked up back in May. Regarded by many as one of the toughest off-road events in the World even for fully fit riders, Dougie's achievement is even more incredible when he has not competed in an enduro competition since early February due to his SPEA FIM Trial World Championship commitments.
After finishing third at Erzberg twelve months ago, thirty-five year old Lampkin was determined to fight for the top step of the podium and knew that starting the main event on the front row of the grid was his priority. Low temperatures and continuous showers over the past couple of days has seen the usually dusty quarry transformed into a more manageable venue, although a revised course layout provided a new headache for the ex multi FIM World Trial champion.
Qualifying was made up of two separate runs over Friday and Saturday, prior to the main event which took place earlier today. Aware that both man and machine would have to remain in good condition to be in with a chance of taking a podium finish, Dougie adopted a calculated approach to place twenty-sixth out of over one thousand, four hundred entrants during the qualifying prologues, and in doing so reserved a spot on the front row in the process.
With his damaged ankle heavily strapped Dougie got a good start off the line and was quick to move into third position behind countryman Graham Jarvis and race leader Tadeusz Blazusiak. Passing through the 'help zones' without any real problems Dougie soon found himself at the part of the course where outside assistance was forbidden. Applying his extensive trials skills he navigated the mass of near vertical boulder-fields on board his factory Gas Gas EC 300, continuously pushing for second position.
Despite his best efforts Dougie was unable to close the gap on the two front runners, with the Gas Gas runner crossing the line in a provisional third place. An exhausted and slightly disappointed Dougie was then informed that Jarvis had been disqualified for missing a check point for the second year running, therefore promoting Dougie into second position with Brit Jonny Walker rounding out the top three.
Lampkin explained. "When I came across the line I was sure that I had finished in third and if I'm honest I was a little disappointed as that was my position last year. When I was told I had actually finished second I couldn't believe it - Erzberg is both mentally and physically draining, so the second step on the podium feels like a just reward."
"I've thoroughly enjoyed the event, right from the very start it looked great and to come away with second is a brilliant result, but this was by far the hardest edition of the event that I've ridden. My ankle has given me no end of problems recently and I had serious reservations how it would fair in this type of extreme, punishing environment, however I'm pleased it held out." Said Dougie
"Alpinestars provided me with some specially modified boots, which have helped a lot and to be fair my foot wasn't really an issue during the race - it's only now I've finished that it has started to really hurt."
"My bike has been absolutely brilliant all weekend and did all I asked of it. Erzberg is a special event and taking second is a dream come true in my current condition." Ended Lampkin.
Results: 1: Tadeusz Blazusiak (KTM); 2: Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas); 3: Jonny Walker (KTM)
