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DOUGIE'S WHEELIE

RED BULL ATHLETE ATTEMPTS TO WHEELIE ENTIRE IOM TT COURSE

Red Bull athlete Dougie Lampkin will take on one of his toughest ever challenges, even in the context of his long and illustrious career, when he attempts to wheelie continuously around the entire Isle of Man TT course on Saturday 24th September 2016. This momentous occasion will be shown LIVE on Red Bull TV, when viewers from around the globe have their first ever opportunity to watch LIVE TV coverage of the mountain course as Dougie bravely endeavours to navigate the two hundred plus corners that lay ahead of him.

Leaving the famous start line in front of the TT Grandstand at 5pm Lampkin will look to use all his incredible bike control and experience as he sets out to complete the thirty-seven point seven miles of undulating tarmac riding purely on his rear wheel. Although the entire course presents a real challenge Dougie has already identified a number of parts that stand out in terms of the difficulty they pose - click here to learn more.

Whilst the World renowned mountain course is better known for its high speed exploits, with the current lap record standing at just under seventeen minutes thanks to an average speed a touch shy of 134mph, Dougie's historic passage will be at a more sedate pace as the ex multi FIM Trial World Champion hopes to complete his challenge in a time under 2-hours with an average speed of around 20mph.

Confirming the sheer scale of this challenge Dougie has been in training and involved in testing for over six months as he has prepared his mind, body and bike for this daunting conquest that will test both him as a human and the mechanical aspects to the absolute limit. Lampkin's standard Vertigo Combat two-stroke fuel injected trial machine has been greatly modified and adapted for the challenge of riding solely on the rear wheel over this prolonged distance. More bike modification details to be released in due course.

Thanks to the kind co-operation and permission of the local authorities this unique challenge will take place under a rolling road closure order (left hand lane only - course direction 5pm to 8.30pm), with safety and warning vehicles positioned to both the front and rear of the short convoy that will protect Dougie's position in the middle of this slow moving cavalcade. Lampkin's own team of advance motorcycle riders will keep him advised of forward conditions via a mobile communication centre, whilst Police outriders will ensure his uninterrupted passage through all the major junctions on the extended route.

BBC Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh will be joined in the onsite studio by the renowned mountain bike commentator and trial fanatic Rob Warner as the lively and knowledgeable duo host various guests, whilst LIVE coverage - captured by the pursuit motorcycle and helicopter - is beamed back to our screens. Adding another dimension to the whole experience, viewers will have the opportunity to play along via a free smartphone simulator game that will be released for download ready for the challenge date on Saturday 24th September 2016. More game details to be released in due course.

With just over a month to go before he embarks on this amazing challenge, Dougie said. "I have taken on some big tasks before, but this one is absolutely massive as there are so many unknowns. Over the last six months it has given me a lot of sleepless nights, and although we have made good progress in more recent weeks I am under no illusion just how tough it is going to be on the day. What started out as just an idea, which I have had for a few years now, will soon become reality thanks to the support of Red Bull once again. Like everything I do, I will be giving it 110% to do my best to succeed."

Images Red Bull