SHEPPARD MAKES A SECOND VISIT TO THE PODIUM AT JAPANESE GP

Round 3 (Day 2) - 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship
Motegi - Japan - 06/06/10

Round 3 (Day 2) - 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship
Motegi - Japan - 06/06/10

Although he could not repeat the feat, auspicious youngster Jack Sheppard proved that his first ever SPEA FIM Trial World Championship victory was no fluke by finishing day two of the Japanese Grand Prix runner-up to his newfound nemesis Pol Tarres - Gas Gas. However, the result saw Jack lose a little ground in the Youth class’ title race, as he now trails Tarres by ten points with five rounds to go.

After his victory on Saturday Sheppard was first to start on day two, which did not prove to be an advantage as the sections were still slippery from the previous day’s rain. Despite this, Jack was second only to his arch rival Tarres after his first lap, which took the riders through steep, dense woodland and over a various array of exposed rocky outcrops.

“I started the day okay and felt comfortable on section one, but then I fived section two, which should never have happened,” said Jack. “After that the remainder of my first lap went okay really, other than another five on section seven. I fived section eleven as well, but then I think everyone else did too. Starting off first was not brilliant because the deep mud between the rocks was really slippery, and I was always the first to hit it. In many of the sections it was hard to get the traction you need to launch yourself off the ground, onto the rocks.”

With another victory still on the cards Sheppard rode a mature second lap, dropping just fifteen marks, ten of which were lost at the now notorious sections seven and eleven. Sadly his confident ride fell short of Tarres’ effort, and the Ipswich-based rider had to settle for second place, and seventeen World championship points.

“There was a lot more grip on lap two and I found it much easier,” confirmed the sixteen-year-old. “I think I only dropped fifteen marks, which was much better. Sadly, though, Pol Tarres had a much better first lap and he won. It is a shame because I think I could have done better, but I am still in the hunt for the title and the next round is in Scotland, so I am really looking forward to that.”

“Overall I am happy with how the weekend worked out,” continued Sheppard. “It was great to get my first ever Grand Prix win, and obviously that will stay with me forever. I am a little disappointed because I think I could have won on day two too, but when you take everything into consideration I had a good two days. Now I must focus on winning more often and closing the gap on Tarres.”

That gap has now stretched to ten points, Tarres has ninety points to Sheppard’s eighty, while today’s third placed rider, Carles Traviesa - Gas Gas, remains sandwiched between the pair on eighty-two points. The next round in Fort William, Scotland on June 26/27th is another where double-points are up for grabs, and Jack will travel north from East Anglia with his family knowing that another good result will keep the pressure on Tarres as the season hits its midpoint.

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