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2002
World Trials Championship - Lampkin does it again September 8th, 2002 |
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2002
World Trials Championship - Lampkin does it again September 8th, 2002 |
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Montesa Honda rider
Dougie Lampkin retained his World Outdoor Trials Championship in Japan on
Saturday, the British rider clinched his incredible and historic sixth
successive world title when he finished runner up to team mate Takahisa
Fujinami at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit some 120 kilometres north of
Tokyo. With enough points in hand Dougie with still one day remaining at
the final and decisive eighth round, finished two points behind Fujinami
after some confusion over the results. The win was originally handed to
Lampkin as the pair were believed to have tied on 72 points, but after the
podium presentation a points recalculation handed Fujigas the win, it
failed to change the outcome of the championship, Lampkin was the 2002
World Champion.
Lampkin's sixth win brings the 26 year old Brit within one championship of equalling the record set by the great Spaniard Jordi Tarres, he holds the record of seven outdoor titles. Dougie already holds his own record for the most successive titles a total of six being the double of what Tarres achieved during his reign. Dougie said " My ultimate goal remains to beat Tarres' record, but that still is quite along way off and I have time on my side. I plan to just to take every event and season as it come and not focus on beating records." The conditions in which Lampkin won his title were wet and difficult, torrential rain drenched the 15 sections around the Twin Rings of Motegi which were shrouded in low cloud for the better part of the Saturday. The sections over looking the Moto GP and speedway circuits never had an opportunity to dry while those in the dense trees soon became very muddy making traction difficult if not impossible, riders were axel deep ruts on the approach to section. Section nine took five marks by Saturday's winner Fujigas, a steep pile of rocks set 'constructed' in a valley, while section ten took the other another maximum ten points, a slippery hillside with a severe rock staircase, only five riders managed to get through with the lowest score being a three. Fujinami was delighted to win in front of his home crowd, his fourth of the current season. Twenty two year old Fujinami said, "I have never won here at Motegi until now, I wanted to thank everyone who has turned out here and for those who have supported me not only at this event but while I have been competing overseas in Europe. I feel that this win was overdue, I have given Dougie an idea of my true capabilities this season, while I congratulate him on winning the World Title, I must warn him that I will come back stronger and wiser next season." Dougie Lampkin started Sunday's event without any pressure, "My job was done, I was here to try and help Cobos but I got off to a real bad start taking a five at section one, it was an eye opener for me." said Dougie. Climbing a steep rock face in front of a huge Japanese audience they let out a gasp as he lost drive on a small ledge. He soon recovered and by section seven had only lost seven points. "I felt that I was riding well but then Raga hesitated to let the mud dry out and that lost a little momentum for me while we all sat waiting for him to go. It was a waste of time the rain came ten minutes later and all the sections soon were streaming again." commented Doug. Japanese home favourite Fujinami also made the same mistake on both of his visits to section one, he ended trial with 49 marks lost two more than Lampkin but with a better second lap. He waited patiently while the points were added up and was openly disappointed to see victory go to Lampkin. "It has been a very close event, I had the most number of clean sections but I made a few mistakes which lost it for me, I would have been the perfect end to the season and been a form of consolation for losing the World Title had I been able to win here in Japan." said Fujinami later. A simple mistake was to cost Dougie Lampkin a five on section nine lap two, he hit a rock step in third gear when the front wheel lodged in a hole. His machine bouncing back on him, got some traction and rocketed into the air. The bike gathered height and came crashing done on top of Lampkin ripping his riding suit from his legs. "That was the biggest crash I have had in some time, I landed heavily on my knees, I feel really sore, the foot rest hit my shin and the rubber ripped my suit to threads. I had to sit down for five minutes just to get my head together, it was a real struggle to get round the final sections after that, I ache everywhere now." admitted Lampkin later. David Cobos overtook Graham Jarvis (Sherco) and Marc Freixa (Sherco) in Japan in the classifications, he climbed to the podium on Saturday and with a strong fourth on Sunday he clinched 5th position overall in the world ranking's, "I had a lot of help from Dougie and Fuji not just here but throughout the season, today they took very good care of me and showed me lines which I may have over looked. Fifth in the world allows me to compete in the Indoor World Cup which I am really looking forward too. I feel that Montesa Honda have really been helpful and supportive during my two years with them. Last year was very difficult after missing a full season after a knee I injury, it was a hard struggle but this season I have been competitive throughout, so I am pleased with fifth." World Champion Lampkin said, " I lost out on the Indoor Championship earlier this year due to injury, I was always determined to make sure that I retained my outdoor title, I think because of that, it makes this sixth championship all the more special. Every year the younger riders are getting and stronger making my job all the more difficult. I am really enjoying the challenge, I am looking forward to next season and we are already making plans for testing new parts for 2003." Dougie ended by saying, " I really want to take this opportunity to thank all my sponsors, the guys at Montesa-Honda-HRC and the family members of my team, my dad, mum, my cousin James, girlfriend Nicola they all deserve recognition and a rounds of applause for their help and support throughout this year." RESULTS - Saturday
RESULTS - Sunday
World Championship positions after 8 rounds - Final Standings 1. Lampkin, 298 ; 2. Fujinami, 266 ; 3. Cabestany, 213 ; 4. Raga, 193 ; 5. Cobas,157 ; 6. Jarvis, 153 ; 7. Freixa, 146 ; 8. Kuroyama, 133 ; 9. Colomer, 118, 10. Manzano, 80 ; 11. Alcaraz, 60 ; 12. Justribo, 49 ; 13. Tanaka, 45 ; 14. Colley, 44 ; 15. Pascuet, 43 ; 16. Nozaki, 35; 17. Connor, 29; 18. Fajardo, 15 ; 19. Ogawa, 11 ; 20. Shibuya, 3; 21. Re Delle Gandine, 3 ; 22. Blazusiak, 1 ; 23. Camozzi, 1
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Dougie
was delighted to retain his championship number one plate for yet another
year. " I have very happy to have the title, the controversy over the
points was disappointing but it hasn't prevented me winning the title
again. I wanted to win here in Japan but now the pressure is off me and I
hope that I can win on Sunday to end the season on a real high note."
Having succeeded the win on Saturday, Lampkin did just that and beat
Fujinami by two points to end the season with a 32 point advantage over
his Montesa Honda team mate to take the overall podium.