DAY 2: SO CLOSE

The two men on form were James Dabill and Dougie Lampkin, who both kept their feet on the footrests through the 30 hazards laid out over the 76-mile course. The day started in overcast conditions, but as the riders crossed over the Corran Ferry, the weather turned for the worst, to heavy rain. Riding in pretty close company with Dabill at number 150 and Lampkin at number 193 the hazards remained very much the same for both of the riders. Riding at the front on his early day Jack Price spoiled a good score with the addition of a five-mark penalty which put him on a total of six marks lost and pushed him away from the top positions. It was only day two of the six-day event, and with the top ten positions covered by a mere six marks, it was still all to play for as the riders entered day three. In the ladies’ class, Emma Bristow continued to show why she is the best female trials rider in the world, with a clear lead. With a weather forecast showing more rain coming into the area the riders knew that the week’s riding would be much harder than the sun-blessed previous year.