Alexz Wigg 2010 SSDT
Trial Magazine was still in its early years when Alexz Wigg won the 2010 Edinburgh & District Motor Club Limited Scottish Six Days Trial. We used to publish the report in the magazine two months after the event. That was until my good friend and avid supporter of the magazine, the late Neil Crosswaite, pointed out the obvious; it needed reporting on ASAP after the event. As always, I listened to his solid advice. Since then, we have gone into overdrive aiming to publish, by the end of the May, the best possible coverage, with excellent images, to aid the SSDTs success further. With Eric ‘EK’ Kitchen supplying pictures for Trials and Motocross News, I would rely on my good friend John E Shirt and the new kid on the block, Andrew Stewart, in 2010. Andrew was a family friend and loved his motorcycle trials; he produced some superb work for us in our early days, as did John. With the SSDT cancelled due to the coronavirus, we take a reflective look at the 2010 event and speak with Alexz about his rather dramatic week where he ticked the box on what so many riders dream about of achieving: a Scottish Six Days Trial victory.
In 2010, at what stage was ‘Wiggy’?
I will rewind the clock a little to my early trials days. I had enjoyed my time in the learning process on a Yamaha TY 80 before moving to the Gas Gas in the youth championships. I had been fortunate enough to enjoy success with many ACU titles under my belt. I exited the youth process at the end of 2006 as the FIM World Youth 125cc Champion as it was then named, which was a very proud moment for me and my father, Julian. I was also voted the winner of the Pinhard prize. In 2007, I joined the adult world of motorcycle trials.
Was this an eye-opener?
With my family by my side, we had some fantastic times travelling in Europe and around the world as my career progressed. These are very fond memories. The Gas Gas was a fantastic machine, and I am eternally grateful to my many sponsors who made it all possible in those early days. It was a steep learning curve.
My first time at the Scottish Six Days Trial as a rider, I was in a group riding with John R
Shirt and Wayne Braybrook. What a week, and what a way to learn about the event! They were both more than happy to pass on their years of experience. I was all ears; believe me. I was very grateful. As it happened, at the end of the six days, I was the highest placed Gas Gas rider and also the winner of the Best Newcomer Award, finishing sixth. In the FIM Junior World Championship, I finished second and, in the BTC, I finished fourth.
You then moved to a four-stroke for 2008.
Yes. Looking back, the Future TRW Team in Italy was a mistake. It all looked good on paper, but things did not work out as I expected, and in Scotland, I slumped to 11th. My results in the world and British championships remained the same, so the year was not a total disaster. For 2009, I stayed focused on my trials future and made a move to another Italian team, Top Trial Team on the Beta, with additional support from Beta UK. I was much happier to be back on a two-stroke and, with Harold ‘Harry’ Crawford by my side, I was much more confident.
Is this when you got a taste for a Scottish win?
Yes. 100%. I missed the win by a single mark, finishing behind Dougie Lampkin. It was a very wet week, even as Scotland goes, but I felt good and the Beta, as always, was excellent in this event; the handling and power are made for this trial.
After Wednesday, I was on 17 and Dougie on 10; I was wondering just what would happen, but I remained focused. I was enjoying myself.
On the final day, the scores remained the same, and I thought that second behind the legend that is Dougie Lampkin, was a good result. As it happened, I did finish second, but by only a single mark. In the closing stages of the event, Dougie’s tubeless tyre came off the wheel rim. He had to get his feet down and push the machine out, which meant a two-mark loss. I was riding behind him; it certainly made me try even harder.
On the last section of the Ben Nevis hazards, the pressure became even more intense. Dougie fived the final hazard as he slipped off a step! I remained focused but with a single-mark loss for the day and I missed the win by – you guessed it – one mark.
Tell us about your 2010 win.
The year had started as a difficult one as there were not many good financial contracts about, so I stayed with the same Beta setup as 2009. I was quite happy with this. I arrived in Fort William knowing that, with some good fortune, maybe, just maybe, I could challenge for the win.
I had a very different opening day, parting with six marks as Michael Brown led on three marks lost. In dramatic fashion, I was unseated for a quick five in one of the Blackwater hazards; it certainly woke me up! On the other hand, after machine problems, Dougie Lampkin was down in 65th position on 38 marks lost!
Tuesday was a good day as I remained feet-up and showed that I meant business. ‘Browny’ did the same, putting us first and second by just three marks.
On Wednesday, approaching the close of the day, I had to use all my strength and experience to make the best of a single-mark penalty when I got off-line on the sections at Mamore, which kept me in touch with the leaders — right under the nose of John Hulme. Remember, John?
Were you nervous at this point?
No, not really. When the news came to me that Michael had incurred a five-mark penalty, when the machine would not start in the morning, I started thinking ‘maybe, just maybe’. The scores were in his favour at five playing seven.
Riding confidently, Thursday allowed me the first chance to take the coveted yellow leader’s front number board. I remained consistent and shared the lead on nine marks lost with Ben Hemingway.
Friday was my early day riding at the front of the entry, but I managed to hold on to the lead as the three main contenders tied on 15 marks as we headed towards the final day; it was all to play for! I had spoiled a good day when I lost an extra mark on time for putting my machine into the Parc Fermé late. It really annoyed me at the time. I put it in my mind that the trial would not be over until the final hazard had been ridden.
Not parting with any further marks on the final day. As my rivals buckled, I took the win! I was so proud and emotional, and so happy for my family who have always supported me. Wow, I had won the Scottish!
The final word
I had really enjoyed the event, and winning it was a schoolboy dream come true. The Beta had been good all week, and the fantastic support team, led by John Lampkin, had kept me focused. With my father, I decided to use
Michelin tyres. We would only use three rear tyres. If we were problem-free, we would turn it at the end of each day to have the leading edge at the front. It worked a treat. I used three fronts as well. I was riding in a group which included my right-hand man, Harold Crawford, and Ben Morphett. As a very strong character, ‘Harry’ kept me on the ball all week, especially when I needed some moral support; he deserves a huge thank you. I think the hug I gave him at the end said it all.
The Scottish Six Days Trial is a roller-coaster ride of emotion, but I must admit that the win in 2010 was the highlight of my trials career. As they say, it was a huge tick on the ‘bucket list’ of life that I had achieved. Even though it’s 2020, I would still like to thank everyone who contributed to my win. Thank You.
“We would only use three rear tyres. If we were problem-free, we would turn it at the end of each day to have the leading edge at the front. It worked a treat.”