Lampkin Wraps It Up

Paul Carruthers | July 16, 2001

Englishman Dougie Lampkin clinched the 2001 World Trials Championship at Julia de Loria in Andorra yesterday, with second place finishes in both rounds putting the title beyond the reach of his nearest challenger Takahisa Fujinami, who finished fourth in both the Andorran rounds.

Saturday’s round was won by Spaniard Marc Freixa with Lampkin second and Graham Jarvis third. On Sunday, Jarvis took the win on his Sherco, topping Lampkin and Freixa. With one round remaining in the Czech Republic on September 1-2, Lampkin has 298 points to Fujinami’s 235.

“I’m obviously delighted to have taken the championship early, and I thought I had done enough to win today, but to be fair to Graham [Jarvis] he must have had a brilliant last lap as I rode well this afternoon,” Lampkin said in a release issued by Honda. “I like to win every trial I ride in, but I must learn to accept I will be beaten on occasions. It’s been a fantastic season again. My dad and my cousin, James, have worked really hard at every round, and the guy’s at Montesa HRC have also given me great support. I know it’s an individual sport, but I would like to thank all my team for helping me to the title again. All in all I am very pleased with how the season has gone, but it has been difficult this weekend for one reason or another. After I have celebrated with my family and friends a little, my next task is to win in the Czech Republic in a few weeks time. The championship may be decided, but there are trials still to be won and work to do if I want to continue to win again next year.

“Each year there will riders who are going to challenge me, and this year has been no exception, especially with the improved form of both [Marc] Freixa and [Adam] Raga, but over a whole season I still believe I have the strength and consistency to hold them off. I just hope I can do this for a few more seasons and reach my overall goal of beating [Jordi] Tarres’ record of seven outdoor titles, although I already have a new record having won five in a row compared to his three.”

Paul Carruthers | Editor

Paul Carruthers took over as the editor of Cycle News in 1993 after serving as associate editor since starting his career at the publication in 1985. Carruthers has covered every facet of the sport in his near-28-year tenure at America's Daily Motorcycle News Source.