SPAIN: St. Joan de les Abadesses, 21-22/04/01

The pain had been delayed by having the British first round cancelled due to foot-and mouth disease, but it was only putting off the inevitable: Dougie Lampkin - a one-man epidemic of his own - defeating the field in the World Championship Trials Series. Riding in the snow (in late April!), the Montesa rider topped the field on both days of competition, despite the fact that all of the English riders' preparation had been seriously hampered by the much-discussed livestock problem (Lampkin and countryman Jarvis warmed up in the Spanish championship, while Steve did so in Italy). Much of the precompetition attention was focused on King Lampkin, who had been leading -but not dominating - the Spaniard events. Had his rivals improved, or was he more human - defeatable? The answer to that question is still not determined, as Lampkin was brilliant only at the end of day two.
Day 1
The weather was sunny on Saturday, but very cold, with snow even falling toward the end! At the halfway mark, Lampkin led with 25 points, ahead of Spaniard Albert Cabestany, who had notched 29 mistakes. Behind them, seven riders were within just three points: Jarvis and fellow Spaniard Jose-Manuel Alcaraz had 30, David Cobos, Takahisa Fujinami and Marc Colomer were at 31, Colley had 32 and Spaniard Marc Freixa was at 33.

Anything was possible! On the second lap, run very fast, Lampkin confirmed his skill and again scored the best result: 24 marks. Behind him, Cobos was the best. His score of 25 launched him to the runner-up position ahead of Jarvis. It was a bad lap for Japanese Fujinami, ending with a crash from a jump in the last indoor section
Day 2
Saturday afternoon's snow continued all night, stopping only with the sun of Sunday morning. Many sections had to be modified - some thrown out altogether - but the competition was saved by postponing the start time by a half hour (the first rider out left at 10:30 a.m.). The eliminated sections were three, 12 and 13, while two, five, eight, nine and 11 were altered, rendering the competition easier. At the end of the first lap, the man of the moment - Cobos - was ahead with only seven mistakes. Behind him, with nine points, was Jarvis, and only in third place sat Lampkin with 10 marks. Freixa and Kuroyama were tied with 11 points, then Fujinami at 13. Cobos was unlucky on the second lap, getting a flat in section two and losing five points (and, more importantly, concentration). Lampkin, however, cranked up his focus and showed everybody his safe riding style that has allowed him to win so many grand prix. His second lap, with just one point dropped, was superlative. He won, but his countryman Jarvis was not far back, having scored four points. In third place at "Fujigas", now more confident. Cobos slipped to sixth position.

Briefly…
· It was nice to see Graham Jarvis completely recovered and ready to fight for the top positions. The surprise was David Cobos, now riding a Montesa, finishing as runner-up on Saturday and leading for more than half of Sunday's competition. (the other riders who had switched brands didn't shine).
· The week before this trial, one of the most famous trials competitions was held in the same location. Called the Three Days of Santigosa, the event was won by Amos Bilbao, who last year had said that he would not contest the World Series anymore (he lied!).
· The ground was very slippery in Spain. All of the sections, except the last, indoor-style zone, were featured in mountainous woods, with many streams and wet, round stones.

Buses were available for the spectators (3,500 on Saturday: approximately 5,000 on Sunday).
· There was a healthy rider turnout, with 47 entries. Many of them were youngsters, competing for the Junior Championship, both days of which were won by Taichi Tanaka, with Josep Manzano on second and Sam Connor third. The Junior results were based on only 10 easiest sections.
· Amos Bilbao retired from the first day after crashing in a stream in section four on the first lap, water-logging his bike. It did not restart, even after some hard work by his mechanics!
· Marc Colomer rode a completely new Gasgas. A very narrow engine saves significant weigweight over the old model (22 pounds less!). The transmission is still a six speed, but the clutch has just three plates.