LAGARES EXTREME ENDURO
LAGARES PORTUGAL
SUNDAY 16/10/11
Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas was back to his winning ways as he triumphed at the Lagares Extreme Enduro in Portugal. The veteran campaigner who has been sidelined for most of this season due to an ongoing ankle injury, which he originally sustained back in May, used all his experience to top this gruelling event. Twelve times FIM Trial World Champion Lampkin has made a successful transition in to the sphere of extreme enduro after having already finished as runner-up this year at both Hell's Gate and Erzberg extreme enduros.
Whilst this was the first time Dougie had competed in this event, the tough Yorkshireman has visited the region that is approximately fifty kilometres east of the city of Porto, many times in the past having ridden in several Trial GPs in the area. The Lagares Extreme enduro utilised the typically Portuguese terrian to the maximum with the event featuring a wide range of tests that included rocky outcrops, slippery streams and some tough wooded sectors.
With one hundred starters lined up for action on Sunday, following Saturday evening's opening prologue, Lampkin knew he had a tough task ahead of him if he was going to feature towards the top of the order come the end of the day. Under brilliant sunshine and with temperatures in the mid-twenties, Dougie was strong throughout his three hour and thirty-nine minute ordeal and gradually extended his winning advantage to over ten minutes as he reached the flag. Lampkin was one of only ten official finishers.
Although Lampkin was delighted to taste the winner's champagne, his victory was slightly soured as he soon realised post event that his injured ankle had not faired well despite his extended period of rest and treatment prior to the competition. Dougie will return to the UK today to seek further and immediate treatment, but has effectively ruled himself out of this weekend's World famous Scott - time and observation trial in order to prevent additional damage to his injured joint.
Speaking about his victory and his ongoing injury Lampkin stated. "Winning always feels good, especially when you have been struggling and fighting with a bike in the hills all day long. It was a great event and one that I really enjoyed, so winning was certainly the icing on the cake. The downside is that after the event it became clear that my ankle is still far from good."
"Believe it or not riding enduros rather than trials is actually easier on the ankle. Firstly the enduro boot is much stiffer and has a lot more ankle support, which limits the movement of the ankle. Also you spend much more time sitting down on an enduro bike, so the ankle gets some rest. On a trials bike, the boot is much softer as you need much more movement and you spend all day stood up."
"I am totally gutted that I am going to miss the Scott as it is still one of my favourite events. Also I have some unfinished business at the Scott after having missed one year though injury and having had two years with mechanical problems, all in the last three years. That said it would be stupid for me to set off, as five hours of abuse would definitely be too much for my ankle the way it is at the moment."
"The most important thing is to get my ankle sorted, as I have got a busy schedule coming up over the next few months. Hopefully if the treatment goes well this week, at least I can be at the Scott on foot if nothing else, supporting the other riders." Ended Lampkin.
Results: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas) 3h39m 2: Alfredo Gomez (Husaberg) 3h53m 3: Xavi Galindo (Husaberg) 4h13m
