06/05/11 - SSDT-quinto giorno

Giornata dura, la penultima. Dabill consolida il primato girando a 2. Stesso punteggio per Alexz Wigg, vincitore l'anno scorso, che si insedia al secondo posto, staccato di 4 punti (9 a 13). Poi in 2 punti, Jarvis (14) e Brown (15). Dei nostri Rochon sorpassa Bosi e si piazza al 65-esimo posto, con Bosi che matiene la posizione numero 69. Soulier ci prende gusto e risale fino all'82-posto. Bosis continua per onor di firma, girando a 35 punti, ma per le 20 zone saltate ieri per la rottura del cambio, e' relegato nelle ultimissime posizioni.

Press release and photos by official web site www.ssdt.org

DAY FIVE - DABILL REMAINS OUT IN FRONT
After a tough fifth day of the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) James Dabill - Beta remains ahead of his nearest rivals following a confident performance that saw him drop only two marks in the thirty observed sections, which were spread around today's seventy-nine mile peninsula based route. Dabill, who is the reigning British Trials Champion and is currently undefeated in this year's domestic series, holds a four mark advantage over Alexz Wigg - Sherco going into the final day.
Wigg, who himself was victorious at last year's SSDT, matched Dabill mark for mark today as he too parted with two dabs during his penultimate excursion in the Scottish Highlands. Twenty-one year old Wigg from Aylesbury in Oxfordshire started the week slowly by losing seven marks on the first day, which put him down in twelfth place, but has gradually ridden his way into contention as he looks for a second win in a row.
After one hundred and fifty sections Michael Brown - Gas Gas is on one mark more than Graham Jarvis - Montesa who dropped seven marks on day five, but was struck down by bike problems within sight of the parc ferme. Jarvis will need to use the thirty minutes working time tomorrow morning in an attempt to bring the four-stroke machine back to life. Whilst Jarvis's woes were late on, Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas endured problems all day long as he battled on with a badly injured left ankle. The five times former winner will not contest the final day in order to prevent further damage to his swollen joint.
Brown, who led the trial during the early part of the week, has at least kept his hopes alive with a solid showing during his early day when going out first on the course was ultra tough. His five mark ride today puts him two behind Wigg and six off Dabill going into the deciding encounter tomorrow. Brown's daily total was made up of five single dabs as he tried to keep himself out of trouble in the slippery conditions.
On what was the toughest day of the week so far, scores were much higher than the other days with some of the top ten riders losing as many marks in one day as they had done to date. Scotland's lone hope of a home win, disappeared as Gary MacDonald dropped eighteen marks including one on time today, which sees him slip to sixth position. It was a similar story for Ben Hemingway - Beta, Ian Austermuhle - Beta and James Lampkin - Beta who tumbled down the order as they too failed to shine on day five.
Today also proved to be decisive in terms of the sub-plot, for the supporting class awards. Emma Bristow - Ossa maintained a healthy advantage over Rebekah Cook - Sherco as the leading lady, whilst Alfredo Gomez - Montesa got one hand on the newcomers trophy as Jack Sheppard's - Beta challenge was derailed. Spain's popular rider Amos Bilbao - Montesa now looks to have the over 40 award in his grasp as John Shirt - Gas Gas endured a nightmare of a day.
So once again it appears that the SSDT winner will be decided on Ben Nevis on the final day, and by early tomorrow afternoon the identity of the centenary victor will be apparent and history will have been made.