UK World Trial declared a real success

After two years in the planning the UK leg of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship finally took place at Nevis Range, Fort William over 25/26/27 June. The superb venue that sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis proved to be the perfect setting for round four of this year's global series, with the inaugural three day event being declared a real success across the board. The combination of the permanent facilities at the ski resort and the surrounding terrain helped L+M Events deliver what is being regarded as one of the best Grand Prix events the championship has seen in its thirty five year history.

Friday saw the action begin with two incredible performances by Scotland's You Tube street trial sensation Danny MacAskill in front of a packed audience, with an equally large crowd also enjoying a re-run of BBC's famous Kickstart programme that included past masters such as Martin Lampkin and Malcolm Rathmell going head to head once again. 1982 Junior Kickstart winner Woody Hole was the eventual winner of this initial competition before the stage was handed over to the current stars of World trials for Saturday and Sunday.

Trials legend and hero Dougie Lampkin - Beta gave the many fans plenty to cheer about on day one of the competition as he went head to head with reigning FIM Trial World Champion Toni Bou - Repsol. The thirty four year old Red Bull athlete was within touching distance of Bou at the halfway point and looked in with a real chance of clinching his 100th GP win. In the end Lampkin had to be content with second place as Bou held on for the win and Japan's Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa claimed the last podium place. In the Youth and Junior classes British riders Jack Sheppard - Beta and Jack Challoner – Beta matched Lampkin's performance respectively, as these two youngsters also finished the opening day on the second step of the rostrum.

Sunday saw the biggest crowd of the weekend flock into the Scottish Highlands, and irrespective of how far they had travelled to be there they were treated to a day of drama and action as up to six riders fought for the lead. Although Lampkin was not amongst the front runners on day two, the fans adopted Fujinami as their own and cheered him to an emphatic victory that included a stunning ride in the very last section of the day. Saturday's winner Bou had to settle for third this time out as Albert Cabestany – Sherco slotted into the runners up spot. There was even more for the home fans to scream about when both Challoner and Sheppard went one better than the day before as they both topped their respective classes.

Challoner’s weekend was made even better as he walked off with the Red Bull F1 prize by being the best young British rider through the Red Bull sections over the two days of competition.

Talking about the event, Jake Miller from L+M Events said. "This event has been a long time in the planning, so it was great to see it finally come to life. Overall it has been a real success. The course and sections were well received and enjoyed by the riders, and the FIM jury made up of delegates from several different countries had nothing but praise about what we have delivered on every level. Also the initial feedback from the public, sponsors and funding partners has been excellent, so we are really pleased about how the event has gone. This is year one of a three year venture, so now the foundations are in place to build on in the future, when we hope we can attract even more people to this wonderful part of the World."

Reinforcing Miller’s comments Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland said: “The Nevis Range in Fort William is already famous throughout the world as for mountain biking and its credentials were further boosted by staging the UK leg of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. Once more Scotland demonstrated why it is consider the perfect stage for events as thousands of spectators watched the thrilling action.”

With the first event now completed, plans have already begun for top level trials to return to Nevis Range in September 2011.

For those who were not lucky enough to enjoy the action first hand or for those who just want to re-visit the three days of sheer entertainment please click here for a selection of images captured over the weekend.

Nevis Range hosts hot opening day.

Bou back on top and Lampkin second in Scotland

Fujinami wins on day two on the British GP

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