Macdonald takes a break from Six Days Trials
Excitement builds for another year of world-class trial riding as bikers gear up for the 2019 Scottish Six Days Trials (SSDT). This year’s competition, however, which takes place from Monday May 6 to Saturday May 11, will not feature renowned local rider Gary Macdonald.
Continuing its long history in Lochaber, 280 riders from the far corners of the world will descend on the base at Fort William’s West End car park to face the gruelling annual week-long trial bike challenge.
This hugely popular competition remains the most famous and one-off event in the international trial calendar more than 100 years after it was first run.
Not feature
Kinlochleven rider Gary Macdonald, who fought his way to a well-earned podium finish on the closing day in last year’s competition, will not feature at this year’s SSDT as he takes a break from trials competition.
Macdonald said: ‘It’s been a big decision but I’ve stepped back from trials and won’t be competing in the SSDT this year. I’ve dedicated 27 years to trials and I just want a break and to do other things I’ve missed for many years. I’ll be back in 2020 all going well.’
The complete entry list has been released by the
Edinburgh and District Motor Club organising committee, including the most successful SSDT rider of all time, reigning and 12 times winner Dougie Lampkin.
Lampkin said: ‘I am burning to win another Scottish to equal a record of World Championships set by Spanish racer Angel Nieto. He won 13 titles but being suLampkin perstitious he called it 12 plus one. It would be really cool to have 12 plus one Scottish Six Days victories.’
The stage is now set for a head to head battle between and fellow Brit James Dabill. However, a very strong line-up including brothers Dan and Jack Peace, Jack Price and Michael Brown will make for an interesting week of competition this year.
Eclectic
The Scottish Six Days Trials standing in the world attracts an eclectic overseas invasion and 2019 is no different with no fewer than 58 riders from outside the British Isles representing a total of 12 countries.
The continental threat looks like coming from young Spanish rider Francesc Moret while countryman and former winner, the ever popular veteran Amos Bilbao will ride a factory Montesa in the event.
Kevin Gundry and Gary Samson represent New Zealand while fellow Antipodeans Luke Anderson and Connor Hogan fly from Australia. Add this to several entries from Costa Rica and Daniel Santos representing Guatemala and you have a truly international field heading for Lochaber in May.
Full information, including the riders’ list, and regular updates are available on the event website ssdt.org.