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I reckon that next year’s British Trials Championship could be a real cracker, and I would be surprised if the double defending champion James Dabill gets it all his own way in 2011.
There’s no doubt that he had a fantastic year this time, winning every round, which was a superb achievement – and I can’t recall when or indeed if that has
been achieved in the past.
The reason for my optimism is the significant changes in machinery and rider combinations recently announced, and whilst they are now common knowledge, let’s go through them and analyse why, in my opinion, it promises to be such a good season when the series kicks off early next March.
The most recent announcement has been Dabill’s move from Gas Gas to Beta. Having been successful on Gas Gas you have to ask why he made the move. Well, as I understand it, he was never going to be the Gas Gas number one with the factory whilst Adam Raga continued to finish in front of him, so therefore I am presuming that with Jeroni Fajardo moving to the new Ossa concern from January 1, that left a vacancy at Beta for a new number one on the world stage for the Italian factory. And Lampkin still on Beta for 2011? Sorry, can’t divulge that yet.
It appears that Dibs has been offered that place, with full factory prepared and delivered bikes for both the indoor and outdoor rounds with factory mechanics at trials to support him. Assuming that both Beta and Gas Gas machines are equally competitive, that is obviously an attractive proposition.
However, are both marques equally competitive? Frankly, I don’t know and only a rider in his position can make that decision, so I guess they may well be. Assuming they are, his move must be a good one.
But – and here’s the big but to me; will Dabill be the same rider without Jack Lee minding for him (and arguably he is probably the best minder at present, not only in riding ability but also in physical presence); equally, will Dibs be as forcefully encouraged to ride as hard as he has been by John Shirt, who has chased and harried him to his undoubted success whilst he has been on Gas Gas? Time will tell, it’s as simple as that.
Michael Brown has been the most consistent challenger to Dabill this year, but he has now moved to Gas Gas from Sherco, so will benefit from massive encouragement from John Shirt matched to Kevin Hipwell’s undoubted bike preparation talents. Could Browny displace Dabill from the UK number one spot when mounted on a Gas Gas? Who knows, but in my opinion he is likely to be stronger on the Gasser than he has been on the Sherco – which is not a criticism of the Sherco, simply my opinion that the Gas Gas will suit him better.
Equally, I think the Sherco will suit Alexz Wigg well, especially as the latest incarnation of the bike that first appeared in its “revolutionary” form two years ago, will now have been fully sorted. It’s strange, but I can “see” Wiggy being a force on the Sherco, and he brings a third face into contention for the championship.
There are not that many lads who are able to contend with the difficulties of the premier class in UK trials with just 11 taking part this year. To be fair, it’s unlikely any of them will win a round let alone the series, but Ross Danby and Sam Haslam, fourth and fifth this year, need to watch out for George Morton and Jonathan Richardson in particular. Both are improving significantly and it will be as interesting to watch the battle for the lower placings as much as for the outright winner.
And don’t forget Jack Challoner is likely to tackle some rounds when they don’t clash with an Italian Championship event.
Having just written all of the above, I was about to file it to Andy for publication, because whilst I knew of Dougie Lampkin’s plans, it would not have been pertinent for me to divulge them prior to an official press release. Private information indulged to me does not become public until the appropriate time.
Well, you will have read the press release about Doug’s plans, which in my opinion are absolutely fantastic, and I can see, probably for the first time since he left Montesa, Lampkin being on a machine that could take him to his world win number 100. From behind the spectator ropes, (and if you ignore what Bou does), a Gasser always looks to be the best bike at that level, and for Lampkin who has never previously been a Gas Gas rider, it’s a challenge that he will revel in.
Not only riding and winning of course, but managing the team, which must be a big bonus for Browny as well as Raga. If he stays injury free, I can see Lampkin winning a world round and claiming a podium spot on the Indoor enduro championship.
And if you are a trials fan, that lot makes 2011 a season to relish and it’s barely three months away.
