SHEPPARD RECORDS AN IMPORTANT WIN

Round 6 - ACU British Trials Championship
Brimham Rocks - North Yorkshire - 01/08/10

Having only recently turned seventeen years old Jack Sheppard - Beta once again showed why he is a real potential for the future as he recorded a convincing and an important win at the sixth round of the ACU British Trials Championship. Fresh from three successful and consecutive weekends on the road in Europe, Jack turned his attentions back to the domestic series as he travelled north from his Suffolk base for the Mackenzie Trophy Trial.

Set deep in the Yorkshire dales the rugged and rocky terrain on the tree covered hillside at Brimham Rocks that over looks the Spa town of Harrogate could not be any more different from the sandy going on which Jack trains on back in Suffolk. However this was not going to deter the emerging youngster as he looked to close the gap on the much more experienced series leader Gary MacDonald.

Saturday afternoon's practice lap revealed twelve boulder filled hazards that were mainly dry and dusty, but sometimes very greasy where the damp soil was dragging on to the rocks. Sheppard was soon up to speed, and looked both strong and confident in sections that were a fair bit easier than they were when the series last visted the same venue twelve months earlier.

Using the confidence gained from his recent run of good form at World and European level, Jack showed no nerves as he looked to match and improve on the standard set by MacDonald who was riding at the front of the pack. After six straight cleans Sheppard parted with his first marks in section seven where he was cruelly awarded a two for a single dab ride where MacDonald had fived previously.

This was Jack's only loss for the lap as he put himself clear at the top of the initial leader board. In a similiar display of skill and technical excellence the Beta team member matched his opening lap performance with dabs in sections five and seven to move further ahead of his championship rivals with one lap still to ride.

Although the course in itself was no real test for Sheppard, the teenager knew that the pressure was very much on his young shoulders not to crack, when just one mistake could have meant an absolute disaster. Showing great composure Sheppard waited until the ninth hazard on his final visit before losing his only mark for the lap.

Despite the easy conditions, Jacks margin of victory was still very convincing as he left the others to fight it out for the runners up spot. Sheppard is now a clear second in the general standings and is still in with a shot of the title with two rounds to go. Talking about his win Jack said.

"All wins are good wins, but I am really pleased with winning today, as it has been a tough test of concentration and handling the pressure rather than about riding at a high level. At some of the World and European events this season I have struggled when the sections have been easier, so today was a good opportunity to strengthen this part of my game."

"All I can do now is to keep the pressure on Gary, and hopefully I will be in with a shout of winning the championship when we go to the last round." Jack ended.

Sheppard will remain in Yorkshire over the coming week as a guest of Beta UK importer John Lampkin and will spend his time training alongside ex multi FIM Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin before assisting Dougie with his annual public trials school later in the week.

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