INJURED SHEPPARD TAKES HIS THIRD WIN OF THE SERIES

Round 7 - ACU British Trials Championship
Torridge - Devon - 22/08/10

Seventeen-year old Jack Sheppard - Beta recorded his third win of the series, when he was victorious once again, this time at the seventh and penultimate round of the ACU British Trials Championship held in Devon. Sheppard who had missed last weekend's inter-centre team trial due to an injured ankle which he sustained at a supertrial a week earlier, only returned to riding a few days ago in order to prevent further damage to his swollen joint and was unsure if he was going to be able compete in this important event.

Despite this setback and riding with a heavily strapped ankle, Jack claimed his second win in a row in the domestic championship with him having won last time out in Yorkshire earlier this month. As has been the case all year in this series, young Sheppard was very much up against it in difficult conditions and was at a big disadvantage on his 125cc machine in amongst the larger capacity bikes. Despite facing another uphill battle, Jack typically got on with the task in hand and fought his way into a winning position over the three laps of twelve sections.

The practice lap on Saturday afternoon in wet and misty weather revealed a tough course, with some of the sections perhaps being a touch too severe even in the opinion of the leading riders. With warmer and better weather for the trial itself, the hazards actually rode easier than they had twenty-four hours earlier despite the presence of a few rain showers throughout Sunday's main event.

The first five sections all featured steep muddy bankings under the cover of trees, with these being the least effected by the rain. In fact these hazards actually improved during the competition as lines formed and the mud gave way to drier soil. In some contrast, with the exception of one single river zone, the remaining sections set higher on the hillside became more difficult as mud dragged on to the rocky outcrops, which were separated by saturated grass.

Sheppard was both brilliant and consistent on all three laps to open up a five mark winning margin over the much more experienced Gary MacDonald come the end of the trial, despite the odds being stacked against him. This latest win sees Jack close another three points on MacDonald with just one round remaining. Whilst only a disaster will prevent the Gas Gas teamster from lifting the title, Sheppard will at least keep the championship alive until the final counting event in Kent at the end of next month.

Jack was deservedly delighted with his performance. "This is a good win for me for a few reasons. Earlier in the week I was not sure if I was going to be able to ride today, as I had been off the bike for over ten days before I went out to see how my ankle would hold up. Although I only did some light practice it was pretty painful, so I knew I was going to be in for a tough weekend."

"Yesterday's pratice lap was not what I wanted given how sore my ankle was, and even then I was not sure how it was going to hold up today. It's been pretty painful all day, but I just got on with it. There were a couple of times when I tweaked it and had to sit down to recover for a few minutes, but on the whole it has held up OK, but I am sure it will be sore tomorrow."

"To beat Gary in such a tough trial, and on a smaller bike is a really good result for me and perhaps was a bit of a surprise given the conditions and the problem with my ankle. I will rest again this week, and at least I can go into next weekend's European championship decider in the Czech Republic full of confidence after my performance today." Ended Sheppard.

Jack will travel to the Czech Republic later this week for his final round showdown with Pol Tarres, knowing that whichever of them wins on the day will be crowned European Champion.

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