SHEPPARD MAKES IT TWO WINS IN A ROW

Round 5 - 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship
St Michele De Maurienne - France - 11/07/10

Jack Sheppard - Beta picked up from where he left off at his home GP, and completed his second win in a row at the French event that marked round five of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. This completes a hattrick of victories for the sixteen year old from Suffolk, who claimed his maiden win at the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this year. In extremely hot conditions, Jack once again fought a day long battle with his arch rival and current series leader Pol Tarres - Gas Gas who finished as runner up and four marks adrift.

Sheppard made a strong start to his day, a point which has cost him dearly in some rounds, and matched Tarres mark for mark through the opening couple of sections. Conditions out on the course were difficult from the outset, with heavy rain on Saturday afternoon forcing the organisers to make alterations to nearly every section before Sunday's trial got underway. As a result of this the riders were allowed in the sections on the first lap to inspect the changes and were also given twenty minutes extra on their initial tour to allow for this process.

What had been dry and dusty banks on Saturday, had become greasy and far from ideal for the 125cc bikes which lack the low down power needed to find grip in these conditions. The real trouble came for Jack in the middle group of sections, from five through to ten where he collected three maximums and added a hefty twenty one marks to his score. Thankfully Sheppard was on form in the other hazards and rounded out his initial tour for the loss of thirty marks to move three clear of Tarres as the sun shone down fiercely overhead.

Despite the physical and demanding nature of the event set on a steep hillside over looking the small and industrial town of St Michele De Maurienne, Jack remained strong and focussed on his second lap as he looked to finish off the good work he had begun in the morning. Sheppard ultimately sealed his victory in the same sections that had caused him so many problems earlier in the day, as this time he escaped the main spectator group with several cheers and the loss of only twelve marks on this visit.

Even two time penalties could not spoil Jack's day as he took an important win in the title race at a decisive moment in the series with two more rounds to ride over the coming two weekends. Thanks to his latest victory Sheppard has now closed within seven points of Tarres in the general standings with everything still to play for.

Wearing a wide smile Jack stated. "To win again feels great, and was a little unexpected as I have not ridden well at times today. I started off well which was important for a change, but during the middle part of the first lap I really struggled on the steep and slippery climbs. The heat made things even tougher and even though I was drinking constantly I still felt dehydrated at times."

"On the second lap I felt a bit more confident and was pleased with the way I rode the sections where the main crowds were, their support was great and really motivated me. Then just when I thought I was going well I then had three fives in a row later in the lap, and I thought I had blown it."

"In terms of the championship this is an important win for me. I just need to do the same in the next two Gps to give myself a real chance of the title. Finally I would like to thank Craig for standing in as my minder today, as he has done a great job in what has been a really tough event." Jack ended.

Sheppard will travel to Italy to his team's base, before heading to San Marino for next weekend's Grand Prix.

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