AMONG the many famous names competing in the 100th Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), being staged in Lochaber in early May, are three brothers whose return will make this year’s legendary motorcycle endurance trials 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 50th birthday just one month before the world’s oldest-surviving motorbike trial competition enjoys its 100th anniversary, as he returns for the first time since the mid-1980’s.
Although Eddy remains one of only seven riders to have ever won more than one Trial World Championship title, the spectacle-wearing multi-champion never actually managed to win the SSDT, with fourth place being his best finish in 1986.
An incredibly happy Eric Lejeune was eager to explain more about the brother’s forthcoming Scottish adventure.
He said: “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 [SSDT] entry list was a special moment for him and our family. This is really a dream that has come true for us three brothers.”
Eddy’s older brother, Jean-Marie, who is now 61 years-old, has only competed in the SSDT 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 45 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 35 kilos due to a new eating and exercise regime in order to fulfill his own dream to re-visit Fort William as a bona fide 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 motorcycle trials fans who flock to this hotspot each spring, and whilst the brothers are not likely to feature at the top end of the leader board 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.
Marking its centenary, the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial will take place in and around Fort William in the Outdoor Capital of the UK between Monday 2 and Saturday 7 May.
Check out http://www.ssdt.org for event updates and details of the best places to watch the Trials action.
Ends
Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert – Podge Publicity – M: 07968 699636 / E: Paddy@podge.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Funders, sponsors and supporters
Event Scotland – www.eventscotland.org
Highland Council – www.highland.gov.uk
Putoline Oil – www.putoline.com
Lift Control – www.liftcontrol.co.uk
Birkett MotoSport Ltd – www.birkettmotosportukltd.co.uk
John Lee Motorcycles – www.lee-motorcycles.co.uk
Off Road Moto – www.offroadmoto.co.uk
Thistle Access – www.thistleaccess.co.uk
Highland Leisure Sport – www.highlandleisuresport.co.uk
Talon Engineering – www.talon-eng.co.uk
Oximoto – www.oximoto.com
100 YEARS OF THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
The event actually originated as a five-day reliability trial back in July 1909, before being extended to a six-day competition a year later. However, the start of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) proper as organised by the then newly-formed Edinburgh and District Motor Club began in 1911.
In those early years, the trial started and finished in Edinburgh with the route taking the riders to John O’Groats and back over the course of the week.
Fort William was introduced as the hub for the event in 1938, although the start and finish remained in Edinburgh, which continued to be the case until all links with the Scottish city were cut in 1977.
Today, the SSDT consists of six different daily routes that total approximately 500 miles, which begin and end in Fort William each day.
The Edinburgh and District Motor Club will once again be at the helm of this fantastic competition and will be responsible for upholding an event where club riders and the world’s best compete together over the same course that will include 30 boulder-strewn sections on each of the six days.
For more information on the Scottish Six Days Trial go to: http://www.g2fgroup.com/html/ssdt/docs/SSDT100.pdf
Previous winners of the Scottish Six Days – 1972-2010
2010 – Alexz Wigg – Beta 2009 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 2008 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 2007 – James Dabill – Montesa 2006 – Graham Jarvis – Sherco 2005 – Sam Connor – Sherco 2004 – Graham Jarvis – Sherco 2003 – Joan Pons – Sherco 2002 – Amos Bilbao- Montesa 2001- Cancelled – Foot + Mouth 2000 – Steve Colley – Gas Gas 1999 – Graham Jarvis – Bultaco 1998 – Graham Jarvis – Scorpa 1997 – Steve Colley – Gas Gas 1996 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 1995 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 1994 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 1993 – Steve Colley – Beta 1992 – Steve Colley – Beta 1991 – Steve Saunders – Beta 1990 – Steve Saunders – Beta 1989 – Steve Saunders – Fantic 1988 – Steve Saunders – Fantic 1987 – Jordi Tarres – Beta 1986 – Thierry Michaud – Fantic 1985 – Thierry Michaud – Fantic 1984 – Thierry Michaud – Fantic 1983 – Toni Gorgot – Montesa 1982 – Bernie Schreiber – SWM 1981 – Gilles Burgat – SWM 1980 – Yrjo Vesterinen – Montesa 1979 – Malcolm Rathmell – Montesa 1978 – Martin Lampkin – Bultaco 1977 – Martin Lampkin – Bultac 1976 – Martin Lampkin – Bultac 1975 – Mick Andrews – Yamaha 1974 – Mick Andrews – Yamah 1973 – Malcolm Rathmell – Bultac 1972 – Mick Andrews – Ossa.
Contact: Paddy Cuthbert
Phone: 07968 699636
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.ssdt.org
