Lampkin Takes World Title – Again
Paul Carruthers | September 7, 2002
Radson Montesa’s Dougie Lampkin clinched a historic sixth successive World Outdoor Trials Championship today when he recorded a result that gave him his crown at the final round of the series in Japan.
Lampkin won the title with one round remaining tomorrow at the Motegi circuit.
“Having lost out on the indoor championship due to injury in the early part of the season, I was always determined to make sure that I retained my outdoor crown,” Lampkin said in a release. “I think because of this, it makes this championship all the more special. Every year the younger riders are getting stronger making my job more difficult as the seasons go on, but I am really enjoying the challenge.”
Today’s title moves Lampkin within one championship of equalling Jordi Tarres’ record of seven outdoor titles, although Lampkin already holds his own record for the most successive titles, his total of six being double what Tarres achieved during his reign.
“My ultimate goal remains to beat Tarres’ record, but that still is quite along way off. There is no way I can allow myself to focus on that overall achievement, it’s just a case of taking each event and each season as they come. I’m certainly under no illusion that it is going to be easy, I’m probably going to have to work harder than ever this winter to maintain the advantage I have over my rivals at this time.”
In wet and difficult conditions, Lampkin had to concede today’s victory to his teammate Fujinami, who made the most of his home advantage, by the margin of just two marks after thirty slippery sections.
“My philosophy is win, win, win so I am never happy when I am beaten, but in the whole context of things I’m not going to let today’s result, all things considered, tarnish the fact that I have won the championship again. There is still one more trial to be won, and that is my priority now. Tomorrow is a new day and I will be looking to end the season in style. Finally 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 and girlfriend Nicola as they all deserve a big chunk of the applause and recognition.”
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.
