LAMPKIN PLACES SIXTH AT ERZBERG RODEO
EISENERZ, AUSTRIA
Sunday 01/06/14

Red Bull athlete Dougie Lampkin riding his Eurotek Hope KTM placed sixth at today's Erzberg Rodeo extreme enduro in Austria. The big Yorkshireman, having turned thirty eight years old last birthday and better known for his exploits on a trials bike, once again showed that he can still mix it with the best off road riders in the World with another solid performance at this ultra tough event.

The slow speed trials specialist booked his place on today's front row after securing a top fifty placing in the fast flowing prologue that was contested on both Friday and Saturday. This is used to determine the starting order for the five hundred brave warriors that fight out the main race, with only a very small number eventually making it to the finish.

Last year at the same race, Dougie's day was over before had even began when he drowned his bike only seconds after sprinting away from the start line. Although Lampkin made a better start this time around, his initial progress from the floor of the huge quarry was not what he was looking for and the twelve times FIM Trial World Champion soon found himself in heavy traffic as he began his fight up the leader board from just inside the top forty.

Two early crashes on the higher speed sections of the rocky course were also to hamper Dougie's initial progress. However, even these series of setbacks could not keep the big man down as he started to come into his own on the more technical and demanding parts of a race that would last just under two hours for Lampkin.

Typically Dougie was in no mood to give in and slowly but surely made his way up the order with some great riding in the 'no help zones' to record a worthy and very credible sixth place against a World class field of specialist and far more experienced enduro riders. The level of Lampkin's achievement become even more apparent when more than one thousand five hundred competitors from forty countries and five continents contested this weekend's event.

Speaking at the finish Dougie said. "I actually feel good, perhaps the best I have ever felt at the end of this race."

"My start was shocking, there was simply too much going on for me. Us trials riders are used to riding on our own, not racing with five hundred other guys."

"I made it hard work for myself as I got stuck behind so many slower riders going into the woods and then when I tried to push on the faster sections I had two big offs."

"The technical and no help zones is where I was best and is where I made up the most ground."

"All thing considered, I am happy with sixth and more importantly just to be all in one bit." Ended Lampkin.

Lampkin prepares for Scottish assault

Red Bull athlete Dougie Lampkin is now in the final phase of his preparations for this year's Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), which will take place from 5th to 10th May inclusive from its now traditional base in Fort William. With Lampkin having stepped down from the FIM Trial World Championship, the SSDT is now his single most important event in his year. 2014 will see Dougie contest the SSDT on his own branded DL12 machine.

Having already won what remains regarded as one of the toughest motorcycling events on the planet on a record previous seven occasions, Dougie is still equally hungry and passionate about picking up the famous winners' trophy for an eighth time. Over recent months the thirty-eight year old ex multi FIM Trial World Champion has spent many hours back in the saddle, as he looks once again to keep his younger rivals at bay when he heads to the Scottish Highlands in a week's time.

Speaking ahead of only his second competitive outing in the year to date Dougie explained. "There is no doubt that the Scottish is now the biggest and most important event of my year. I have always liked the event and you can like it even more when it doesn't rain and you win it." "It takes such a massive effort to win the SSDT both before hand and during the actual week, plus you also need a bit of luck on your side too. I am happy with the way that my preparations have gone so far, I feel good on the bike and I know I have put the hours in that are needed if you want to ride well up there."

"I also know that it has been said a hundred times before, but you do have to take it day by day, as anything can happen in the Scottish. The weather does play a big part, as if it is wet and the water is high in the burns it can become a bit more of a lottery."

"I am sure the other guys are equally as keen as I am to win, and there are a few riders who can ride well in Scotland so nothing is a given. Having finished as runner-up to me on the last two years I am sure that James Dabill will be out for revenge. Last year I beat him quite comfortably, but in 2012 it was a real nail biter between us, thankfully I came out on top."

"Although its always a tough week up in Fort William, it is always a week I enjoy very much, as I get the chance to ride with my cousins and friends, whilst still competing for the win. There are not many events where you can do that, especially in such stunning terrain too."

Lampkin rounded off by adding. "When you see how many times the Lampkin name is engraved on the winners trophy, you can then understand just how much it would mean to both me and my family if I was able to win one more time."

GRUELING FIRST OUTING FOR LAMPKIN
SHREWSBURY, GREAT BRITAIN
Saturday 19/04/14

Dougie Lampkin's debut aboard his Eurotek Hope KTM proved to be a gruelling affair as he placed eighth at the Tough One extreme enduro held at the famous Hawkstone Park motocross circuit near Shrewsbury earlier today. The fast and sandy conditions were not ideally suited to Lampkin's more technical style and trials back ground, and were in stark contrast to the going at the nine previous editions of the event that were held at Nantmawr quarry.

The three-hour long race that took in most of the well established and undulating motocross track also utilised the steep wooded areas that edge the Shropshire venue. Lampkin struggled from the off and found himself with poor visibility as he tried to make his way through traffic on the initial lap. Having only had limited time on his new orange machine due to his many other commitments, Dougie rode tense early on and took some time to settle into a rhythm.

With his arms freed off Dougie then began to ride more relaxed and found a pace that he was comfortable with and that he could sustain on the increasingly rough and sandy course that was being covered at some speed by the front runners. With no major instances or problems Lampkin held his position within the top ten to the flag. Whilst the former multi FIM Trial World Champion would like to have featured higher than his eventual eighth spot, the thirty-eight year old was realistic and relatively satisfied with his overall performance when all was taken into consideration.

With a smile still on his face at the finish Dougie said. "That's been tough, but after the first few laps I actually enjoyed it out there today. Obviously I would have like to have been a few places higher, but given my lack of time on the bike it was probably the best I could have hoped for if I am honest."

"The sheer speed of the leaders has been incredible and something I was never going to be able to match on this type of course, I have never been fast on a motocross track and today was no different." Continued the trials legend. "It goes without saying that I would have liked it to have been more slow and technical, but I knew that was never going to be the case when the event was moved to this venue."

Lampkin added. "The good news is that I am still in one bit and although I am sure that I am going to be sore in the morning, my body is in good shape and the skin on my hands is still in tact which was a real worry going into the race, and especially with the Scottish now not too far off."

"Being ready for the Scottish six days is now my priority, but once that is out of the way I will be back on the enduro bike so that I can be better prepared for Erzberg in June." Ended Dougie.