SEVENTEEN year-old British motorcycle trials rider Jack Sheppard – Jitsie Beta – is fully focused on claiming the 2011 SPEA FIM Youth Trial World Championship at the UK leg of the world series, which will arrive at Nevis Range, Fort William in ‘The Outdoor Capital of the UK’ on the 30/31 July.
In three weeks time, the world’s best riders and their respective teams will come together, in what many class as the spiritual home of trials, for the sixth round of the International tour.
Having already recorded four from a possible six victories, Jack finds himself at the top of the general standings and potentially in a position to claim the title at his home GP.
Since the opening round of the series in May, Sheppard has dominated the Youth class taking wins in Germany, France [double] and Andorra.
Holding an eight point advantage over his nearest rival, Cedric Tempier (France), Jack will be going all out to take his first World championship in front of a home crowd at Fort William.
The Ipswich-born youngster is also leading the UEM European Trials Championship from Giacomo Saleri (Italy).
Although on paper Jack has had a brilliant season so far, in reality he has struggled to compete on several occasions due to a persistent wrist injury picked up earliar in the year.
Ultimately being diagnosed as Kienbock’s disease or avascular necrosis of the lunate bone, Jack has put off surgery until the end of the season in order to continue with his championship commitments.
Despite only being in the early stages of his professional career, the seventeen-year old already has valuable experience of the technically demanding Highland sections after going second and first at last year’s two day UK World Trial competition.
Eventually finishing second to Spain’s Pol Tarres in the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, only 12 months later Sheppard finds himself in a prime position to take the 2011 series.
After completing his first Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) in Lochaber in May, where he finished a credible 28th, Jack has reinforced his local knowledge of the notorious Scottish sections. Unable to practice between events due to his ongoing wrist injury, Jack remains confident that he can take his first World title come the end of July.
“I can’t wait to get to Scotland for the UK World Trial, claiming my first World title on home soil would be a dream come true. My 2011 season has certainly been a mixed one; however, now I’m focussed on lifting the championship in Fort William.
“After seeing a specialist about my wrist I was told to keep riding to a minimum. Not being able to practice was a really strange feeling and having to forfeit the British Trials Championship at St Davids was one of the hardest decisions of my life.
“Riding at the World round in Scotland last year was a personal highlight for me. Fort William has some of the best sections in the world and standing on the top step of the podium was brilliant – something I am determined to do again this year.
Full travel and accommodation details plus the opportunity to buy discounted advance and VIP tickets for the UK leg of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship can be found on the official event website http://www.ukworldtrial.com or by calling the event hotline 0845 643 6756.
Ends
Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert, Podge Publicity – T: 07968 699636 / E: paddy@podge.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
Useful websites:
2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William – http://www.ukworldtrial.com.
FIM – http://www.fim-live.com/en/
ACU – http://www.acu.org.uk/
Trials Central – http://wwwtrialscentral.com/
The 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Fort William
The inaugural SPEA FIM Trial World Championship held at Nevis Range in 2010 was a huge success with the spectacular setting creating one of the best events the championship has seen in its 35-year history. The natural sections plotted by Martin Lampkin provided a unique challenge for the competitors and brought out some superb riding that was warmly appreciated by the assembled crowd who enjoyed the atmosphere of this incredible location. The UK’s only mountain gondola allowed the fans easy access to all parts of the course and provided them with unrivalled views of Lochaber and the Scottish Highlands
Funding and support
The 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William is supported by EventScotland, Highland and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council together with Nevis Range, Alcan, Forestry Commission Scotland, VisitScotland, Outdoor Capital of the UK, TMX and Hope.
World championship classes
World Pro – As the name suggests, this is the world’s elite – the professionals, the best on the planet.
World Junior – This class is for riders aged 16 to 23 years-old and is a feeder class for the top category.
World Youth – Riders in this class are restricted to 125cc machines, and must be aged 16 to 18 years-old.
Governing bodies
The 2010 and 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship and Trial Des Nations 2012 will be run on behalf of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) which is the world governing body of motorcycle sport. The Auto Cycle Union (ACU), the British motorcycle federation, has sanctioned these events to be run within its territory. The events will be run in accordance with the FIM sporting code, trial regulations, technical rules and environmental code, with delegates from both the FIM and the ACU present throughout the events to ensure compliancy.
EventScotland
EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org
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Contact: Paddy Cuthbert
Phone: 07968699636
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.ukworldtrial.com
