A few weeks after achieving his first podium in the Trial World Championship, JAmes Dabill has shown his good form by Win the fifth round of the British Nationals. Second place went to his biggest rival, Michael Brown, while third place went to Jack Sheppard.
The race, held at Addingham Moorside and organised by Yeadon Guiseley, had a constant threat of rain. Athletically speaking, Dabill began by distancing himself from the first turnor by not making mistakes until the tenth zone, finally closing a first six-point set. Brown started worse, committing a fiasco in the second zone; despite this, he soon regained his concentration and completed the first pass through the zones with only two points more than Dabill. The third provisional position was signed by Jack Challoner.
In the second round Dabill continued to improve, while Brown was unable to lower his previous partial, leaving the race practically doomed heading into the third and final pass through the zones. Even though Dabill would commit one more fiasco, Brown was also in trouble and The gap between the two riders opened up at the end of the race to ten points, granting the third victory of the year for the Beta rider and thus regaining the lead of the championship when there is only one race left to play.
Brown climbed to second place on the podium for the fourth time in a row and is just two points behind Dabill in the overall standings. Therefore, the championship will be ready for the two drivers to be decided in Wales on September 16.
Fantastic third step of the podium for Jack Sheppard in his debut in the category. The rider from Jitsie successfully measured himself against riders from the absolute world championship, beating rivals of the stature of Challoner, Danby or Wigg.
Dabill Could Drop Beta, Brown Gas Gas
It is said that James Dabill could end his relationship with Beta at the end of the current season. Apparently, there were team orders in Penrith that Dabill disobeyed and this would have sat very badly with the Italian brand. We remember that Dabill’s brilliant third place prevented Fajardo and Beta from being proclaimed runners-up in the 2012 World Championship by just one point. James wasn’t risking his position for the championship, but the fact that he achieved his first podium in the world championship and the fact that he did it at home were perhaps too powerful forces.
Brown could also step off its Gas Gas, as the year’s results are not up to expectations. His place could be taken by Dabill himself. For Gas Gas, it is important to have a winning driver in a championship and market as influential as the British one, so coupled with the causes described above, Dabill’s future fits perfectly.
Jack Sheppard: “I am happy with my result today, but there was still room for improvement. Ideally I would have liked to have been a bit closer to Michael (Brown) in second, but a few mistakes once again spoilt what otherwise was a pretty good day. Like last weekend, it felt good to ride on home soil, as I have not had much chance to do that over the last year.”
“Although I enjoyed the opportunity to ride against the likes of Dabill, Brown, Challoner and Wigg who all ride in the class above me at the World championship, I can’t say that I am totally sold on the whole no-stop thing. Its been good practice, but I think the sections can be more exciting when you are allowed to stop. Anyway, what is important today is the result and the way that I have ridden. “
Text: Trialworld / Photos: FIM – G2F Media
McKenzie Trial Results
1) James Dabill – 18 pts
2) Michael Brown – 28 pts
3) Jack Sheppard – 42 pts
4) Jack Challoner – 43 pts
5) Ross Danby – 48 pts
Provisional Classification
1) James Dabill – 90 pts
2) Michael Brown – 88 pts
3) Ross Danby – 68 pts
4) Alexz Wigg – 58 pts
5) Sam Connor – 56 pts
