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 THE
RETURN OF THE LEJEUNES - BELGIAN BROTHERS BACK AT SSDT
The lucky two hundred and seventy
riders have now had their entries confirmed for the centenary
edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), which will take place
in early May. Amongst the many famous names are three brothers whose
return will make this year's event even more special. Triple FIM
Trial World Champion and trials legend Eddy Lejeune will be joined
by his well-known brothers Eric and Jean-Marie as the Belgian trio
are set to be reunited with the Scottish highlands after an extended
absence.
Fittingly Eddy will celebrate his
fiftieth birthday just one month before the SSDT enjoys its one
hundredth anniversary, as the ex factory Honda rider returns to this
unique event for the first time since the mid eighties. Although
Eddy remains one of only seven riders to have ever won more than one
World trials title, the spectacle-wearing multi-champion never
actually managed to win the SSDT, with fourth place being his best
finish in 1986. This was in a year when the podium was filled by
Thierry Michaud, Steve Saunders and John Lampkin respectively.
Eddy's older brother Jean-Marie, who
is now sixty-one years old, has only competed in the Scottish on one
previous occasion way back in 1975. Jean-Marie will face a huge
challenge to record a finish alongside his two younger siblings,
which is the Lejeune's main goal this time around. At forty-five
years old Eric maybe the youngest of this much loved trials trio,
but has faced his own battle to be ready for May's event. Having
recently undergone an operation to reduce the size of his stomach,
Eric has shed an incredible thirty-five kilos due to a new eating
and exercise regime to fulfil his own dream to re-visit Fort William
as a bonafide competitor.
The return of the Lejeunes to the
parc ferme in the West End car park during this special year will be
an added bonus for many trials fans who flock to this Mecca each
Spring, and whilst the brothers are not likely to feature at the top
end of the results no one should underestimate their passion to
succeed. Back when the Lejeunes were a real force to be reckoned
with Eddy, Eric and Jean-Marie recorded a unique feat as all three
brothers finished in the top ten at the Belgium GP held at the
famous Bilstain venue.
An incredibly happy Eric Lejeune was
eager to explain more about their forthcoming Scottish adventure.
"It has been a long road back for Eddy since he had the big
road crash back in 1998 and trials has been an important part of his
recovery. To see his face when I showed him this year's Scottish
entry list was a special moment for him and our family. This is
really a dream that has come true for us three brothers."
"The story to return to the
Scottish begun at the French trial GP in 2009 when the Lejeune
brothers met by chance Martin and Dougie Lampkin in a bar close to
the paddock." Eric continued. "Obviously Dougie was not
drinking, but we shared a beer with Martin and the dream began. For
Eddy to hear Dougie call him the King was a moment of great respect
and something my brother will remember for ever. For us to ride with
Dougie in the Scottish will be another special moment and one we are
looking forward to very much."
Marking its centenary, the 2011
Scottish Six Days Trial will take place in and and around Fort
William between Monday 2nd and Saturday 7th May - for more details
please visit www.ssdt.org
Click here to view the provisional
2011 SSDT entry list [EL]
Click here to view images [1]
[2]
[3]
Images by kind permission of Eric Lejeune / Eric Kitchen
High Resolution copyright free versions for media / editorial use
available on request.
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