LAMPKIN GOES BACK TO SCHOOL
MANCHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN
THURSDAY 18/08/11
Despite still suffering from a serious injury picked up earlier this year, thirty-five year old Dougie Lampkin successfully held his World famous annual Master Class Trials School last week. Taking place over the 12/13/14 August, this was the thirteenth consecutive year that the ex multi FIM Trial World Champion has conducted his training sessions. As popular as ever, all three days were fully booked with eager riders who had travelled from as far afield as Australia and Cornwall to learn from the undisputed King of Trials.
Trials enthusiasts of all abilities took advantage of Lampkin's vast experience as he passed on some of the skills and knowledge that has seen him enjoy a long and illustrious career spanning over seventeen years. Having claimed no less than twelve FIM Trial World Championships to date there are few other riders who can boast the credentials that the Gas Gas teamster holds.
Joining Dougie as guest instructors for the sessions were current British Trials Champion James Dabill and his World championship minder Ben Hemmingway. In addition to this, 2010 FIM Youth Trial Vice World Champion Jack Sheppard and ex World championship minder Woody Hole were on hand to pass on their vast wealth of knowledge and catch any stray bikes.
Having recently bought his first Trials bike, fifty-two year old Geoff Newman commented after a day at the school, "That was absolutely amazing. Dougie wasn't anything like I expected him to be, I'm not sure what I thought he would be like, but he was just really approachable. I mean where else can you spend a day with a twelve times World champion! He and the rest of the instructors had a really good understanding of what I was finding difficult and how to help me. I've come away with so much more confidence, I'll definitely be coming again next year."
It was during the centenary edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial in May that the Gas Gas factory rider initially injured his left ankle, eventually causing him to retire from the event. With no quick fix available Dougie was forced to miss the second round of the 2011 FIM Trial World Championship in France, marking the first time he had failed to start a GP since making his World series debut in Luxembourg back in 1993.
Despite moments of greatness, such as when he claimed an impressive second place at Erzberg extreme enduro, Dougie has continued to struggle with his injury for most of the season. With this in mind the Yorkshireman has been ruled out of the forthcoming Japanese GP this weekend, however Lampkin has still travelled to Motegi to act as Gas Gas Team Manager.
Dougie has already proven his ability as a mentor this year, after guiding Gas Gas number one rider Adam Raga to his first win of the season at the opening day of the French Grand Prix. Currently fifteen points behind series leader Toni Bou, Raga will look to take advantage of Lampkin's wealth of experience, as will the rest of the Gas Gas riders.
Prior to the Japanese GP Dougie said, "Obviously I'm disappointed not to be riding in Japan, it is a great event and somewhere I have previously won, but my ankle just isn't right and won't let me be competitive. We need to turn this situation into something positive and I feel I can help Adam in his championship campaign. He is a great rider and proved that in France when he took a strong win. I'll also be in a position to help the other Gas Gas riders such as Lois Gubian and Michael Brown should they need it, so it will still be a very worthwhile trip for me."
