AFTER a break of a quarter of a century, Italian ride, Diego Bosis – Gas Gas, has returned to the Scottish Highlands to compete in the centenary edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT).
Having successfully completed three of the six days so far, Diego lies in 30th place overall with a respectable 35 marks against his name.
“For me, the trial is very good and it is nice to be back in Scotland. I have many memories of the Highlands. It is strange riding with such good weather as all I have experienced previously is rain, so to ride under clear skies is brilliant and my Gas Gas bike is perfect,” explained Bosis.
So far, the riders have been blessed with uncharacteristically good weather, but all that could change as rain has been forecast for today and Diego’s memories of previous years may become slightly more apparent before the close of play today.
Having last ridden the SSDT back in 1986 when he finished just outside the top 20, this year Diego’s goals are slightly more relaxed as his sole intention is to finish. Bosis has competed in the SSDT on three previous occasions, his best result being tenth overall in 1985.
“One thing I know about Scotland is the unpredictable weather so anything can happen in the final three days.
“So far, it has been a pleasure to ride in this beautiful country and the sections are perfect for me, not too hard and not easy for sure.
“For me, it is more important to finish the trial, I am not really worried about my position – I suppose the top thirty would be brilliant, but I honestly am not worried as long as I am having fun,” continued the ex FIM Trial World Championship contender.
In stark contrast to most of today’s modern trials the SSDT is one of the few remaining events which still apply the more traditional no-stop rules within the sections, something which Diego is used to from his earlier international career.
Since retiring from competition in 2009, Bosis has played an active role in the global trials scene as an FIM section inspector and now as a motorcycle journalist, as well as encouraging younger riders to experience different forms of the discipline.
“I think it is very important that the young riders try different styles of trials, but it is not easy for them.
“The SSDT is very hard for new and young riders, especially those that are more used to ‘hopping and stopping’ techniques, as the SSDT is using the no-stop rule.
“I think they should come for the experience and for the training – I remember riding here when I was younger and I think it was a very good thing for me.
“This is somewhere where the no-stop rule is perfect because for top riders like Dougie Lampkin and James Dabill it is easy and the sections can be ridden clean, but for me the sections are hard and provide me with a good challenge – I love it!”
Marking its centenary, the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial will take place throughout Lochaber, in the north-west Highlands between Monday 2nd and Saturday 7th May – for more details please visit www.ssdt.org.
Ends
Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert – Podge Publicity – M: 07968 699636 / E: Paddy@podge.co.uk
SSDT image service
High-resolution images and results from each day of the event can be found on our ftp server – details as listed below – these will be uploaded on a daily basis.
Server: ftp.g2fmedia.com
User: anonymous
Password: (not required)
Folder: SSDT
Notes to editors:
Funders, sponsors and supporters
Event Scotland – www.eventscotland.org
Highland Council – www.highland.gov.uk
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Highland Leisure Sport – www.highlandleisuresport.co.uk
Talon Engineering – www.talon-eng.co.uk
Oximoto – www.oximoto.com
Motorcycle trials
The sport of motorcycle trials is a test of riding skill over observed sections where the winner is determined by skill alone. When competitors ride each of the 30 testing sections every day their feet must remain on the footrests of the bike. They must negotiate steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams and boulder-strewn gorges. Sections vary in length and severity, and riders are penalised if they put their feet down to help them ride the section, and more so if they fail to negotiate the section in its entirety.
The Scottish Six Days Trial has the additional test of reliability over long distances, with riders completing up to 100 miles each day over a combination of rough moorland, rocky tracks and public roads; designed to challenge the ability, experience, strength and stamina of each rider and the reliability of the bike. There is also a set time within which each day’s route must be completed.
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.
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Contact: Paddy Cuthbert
Phone: 07968699636
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.ssdt.org
