'WHEELIES SHOULD BE MADE LEGAL'
Dougie Lampkin MBE has won 12 World Trials titles and wheelied around the TT course
Q1. What are you currently riding? I’m swapping between a Vertigo 300, an AJS 350 and a Norton 500T. Q2. Which living motorcyclist do you most admire? Back when I was winning all the time I admired Mick Doohan, who I once met on holiday and bugged with questions for two days. Also Stefan Everts, who took the 250 and 500 motocross titles in one year, which was very impressive. And any TT rider. Q3. What’s your worst riding habit? I stick my tongue out. Not a great look. Q4. If you could have one riding super skill, what would it be? I’d love to be able to backflip a bike, but I doubt I’ll ever try it as I’m too old now. Q5. What’s the fastest you’ve ever been on a bike? 26 seconds slower than the lap record at Donington Park on a Blade. I got my knee down at the hairpin! I’mQ 6. a Whenbit too were sensible you to last scare scared? myself. Q 7. done How many miles have you in the last year? Moreway! I on take one the wheelkids to than school two in by an a Ariel long HT 500 sidecar, but it’s not that far. Q8. What’s the highest mileage you’ve covered in one day? I rode for about six hours around the Catalunya mountains one time with Honda on a Varadero, but I generally stick to off-road. Q9. What irritates you most? I’m not fast or good enough on the road. I’m OK off-road. Q10. You’ve got two weeks off: where are you going? Now I’d turn my phone off and head away with the family. Back in the day I’d love to have done a big bike tour somewhere really off the beaten track. Q11. Got one pearl of wisdom for new riders? Safety first. Q12. Ever fallen off in a car park (or somewhere equally embarrassing?) Yes. The British championship start ramp. It was a big platform and I hit neutral instead of a gear when I went to wheelie off. I went over the bars and broke the bike before I had even made the first obstacle. And I was world champion at the time, carrying the number one plate. Q13. Doyouhaveone indispensable item of kit? My Red Bull crash helmet. Q14. Which four people would you invite on a Sunday ride? Only four? Neil Hodgson because he’s useless but thinks he is brilliant. John McGuinness, Mark Webber as he is handy on a bike, and James Martin and Adrian Newey because we have been meaning to go out riding for ages and not got around to it. Q15. Do you have a tool you couldn’t live without? My mechanic Nick and Francesco at the Vertigo factory. Q16. Do you adjust your suspension? Yes. Q17. You can have one of your old bikes back. Which one? I’d love to have my world championship-winning Hondas back, but Honda crushed every one bar the last one, which I own. I did start crying when they took them away to see if my tears would change their minds, it didn’t. Q 18. What would you never buy? I don’t like Greeves bikes, sorry. Q19. Which road (or track) would you have built on your desert island? There is a place in Spain called Taradell, which is also known by locals as ‘the place God was born’. It’s an amazing off-road play park. Q20. If you ruled the world, what new law would you pass? Wheelies on the road would be legal!
‘I’d love to be able to backflip a bike, but I’m too old now’