Friday’s Ladies World Championship provided a shock result with German Iris Kramer claiming victory over Spanish favourite and winner of the previous six Championship titles, Laia Sanz. Becky Cook provided home fans with the Final podium place and secured 3rd place in the Overall Championship standings. Becky’s fellow ‘Nations’ teammates, Donna Fox and Maria Conway added further expectations for the following day’s event by finishing their Championship season with 4th and 5th places, in both the home round and respectively.
Saturday gave the British Ladies Team extra pressure, going into the event, as reigning Champions was very different to the previous year. However, all three rode superbly and were completely unaffected by the pressure, finishing 13 points clear of their nearest rivals, Germany, therefore becoming the very first Ladies ‘Des Nations’ Team to successfully defend the Trophy.
The Men’s ‘Des Nations’ Team proved the strength and depth that Britain has after Shaun Morris suffered a serious eye injury in a freak workshop accident while working on his machine.
The Committee called on the services of World Junior Champion, Michael Brown to join Dougie Lampkin, Graham Jarvis and James Dabill. However, to replicate the Ladies Team’s achievements against a Spanish Team whose riders had taken the first four places out of the final six in the Final Standings of the 2007 World Trial Championship was always going to be near impossible, but the Team’s close battle with Japan provided the entertainment. Unfortunately, they were unable to repeat their Runner – Up places of previous years, but although disappointed themselves, the Team put in an excellent performance and finished 82 points ahead of 4th placed France.
John Collins said, “In the first instance I wish to give special congratulations to the Women’s team on their superb win. In particular I also wish to give special thanks to the minders Lee, Robin and John for their excellent work – and much of the victory is owed to them. The supporters and families of the winning team also deserve recognition.
In the Men’s contest, we knew it would always be an uphill task – and with Spain really on fire it was just too great a challenge. To have lost the Runner spot to Japan is disappointing and the riders feel sorry they could not have rewarded the thousands of fans with a better result – but that’s Trials! It was too close to call right until the very final sections as Japan and Great Britain had been neck and neck for two laps – swapping the lead numerous times and rarely being more than one or two marks apart. It was not to be however, and Japan took the eventual 2nd place.
Again Malcolm, Mart, Shaun and Jack did sterling work as minders and I know the riders appreciate their efforts.
We must congratulate Spain on a super ride – Japan for their achievement and, of course, the Peveril Club and the IOM for an excellent event.”