Dougie Lampkin - Beta took a hard fought fifth place at the French Grand Prix, which marked round five of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. The small and industrial town of St Michele De Maurienne close to the Italian border last hosted a World trial back in 1995, when Dougie also finished fifth. Although fifteen years have passed since the last time Dougie rode at this venue, the challenge of the sheer rock faces had not faded in anyway at all.

Torrential rain besieged the steep sided valley late on Saturday afternoon to bring the sunshine to an end and to dramatically change conditions out on the course. The downpour lasted for several hours and washed away the dust, leaving mud instead.

With the riders having already deemed the sections difficult, the organisers were forced to make widespread alterations to many of the hazards before Sunday's trial got started. Due to this the riders were allowed to inspect the sections on the first lap, and were allowed an extra twenty minutes to assist with this process.

 

Undaunted by the severe and sometimes dangerous nature of the sections, despite the changes, Lampkin looked confident and controlled as he rode his way in and amongst the front runners. After the initial four hazards Lampkin and Fujinami headed the field, with neither having dropped a mark, but this was to change quickly as Dougie then racked up no less than five - fives in a row.

Far from being a total disaster, this just confirmed the severity of the main group of sections that were watched by several thousand French fans who had an armchair view from the grass meadow below. Despite this set back Lampkin held fourth place at the end of the opening lap and was within touching distance of a podium spot.

Conditions for the second lap remained as hot and difficult as ever as Dougie found out when he failed at the fourth section this time around. This mistake was offset by some brave riding through the middle part of the lap, which had been so costly for him in the morning. Less fives and more threes saw Lampkin reduce his score by seven on this tour, however despite this improvement it was not enough to prevent Cabestany snatching fourth position at the finish.

Dougie explained. "It's certainly been tough out there today, even the younger riders have struggled with the heat. I was pleased with my fitness and strength today, I think riding the extreme enduros has really helped me in this way."

"Fourth would have been nice, third even better, but overall I am not disappointed with the way I rode today. Yes I have made some mistakes, but I think everyone has today, on the other hand I have also had some really good rides. To beat Raga is no mean feat."

"I hope I can repeat this kind of form over the next two rounds, as I am now closing in on sixth place in the championship despite having missed two counting days in Japan." Lampkin ended.

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