Saturday July 27, 2013 at 11:39am
Red Bull athletes Dougie Lampkin and Adam Raga will line up against a host of other World-class riders when the Red Bull City Trial returns to Manchester on Saturday 21st September 2013. Raga and Lampkin are bound to face stiff opposition in the form of Japan's Takahisa Fujinami, Jeroni Fajardo from Spain and British riders James Dabill, Michael Brown, Jack Challoner and Jack Sheppard. Via this select group of riders, the second edition of the Red Bull City Trial will experience a new and higher level of riding, which is sure to result in a tightly fought competition.
The elite entry is packed with pedigree with Lampkin heading the honours list with no less than twelve FIM Trial World titles to his name. Raga's string of achievements is also mighty impressive, he already holds six FIM gold medals and is currently close to securing a seventh as this year's campaign draws to a close.
Not only is Fujinami the fans on going favourite rider, due to his highflying antics, but he's also a former FIM Trial World Champion in his own right having grabbed his sole World crown back in 2004. Equally the final foreign representative is also a class act, with Fajardo being a Grand Prix winner and sitting fourth in the current World rankings with just one round to go.
On the home front the British line up could not be stronger with four times national champion and World number six James Dabill spearheading the attack on behalf of queen and country. Now back to fitness after a knee injury earlier in the year Michael Brown who has finished as runner-up to Dabill in the domestic series on the last four occasions is another rider with a proven track record.
Over more recent seasons 2010 FIM Junior Trial World Champion Jack Challoner has established himself amongst the World Pro riders and has already come close to breaking into the elusive top five on occasions. Current top FIM Junior Trial World Championship rider Jack Sheppard will round out an entry that includes an intriguing mix of experience and emerging talent.
Speaking about the forthcoming competition, Dougie Lampkin said. "The stakes are certainly much higher this year, each and every one of the riders absolutely deserves their place on sheer merit and are truly World class riders in every sense of the word. The sudden death nature of the new format means that it is going to be a totally level playing field, and that any of these eight riders, myself included I hope, is capable of winning on the day."
This year's Red Bull City Trial will take place on Saturday 21st September, in the prestigious Exchange Square that is bordered by the Arndale Centre, the Corn Exchange and Selfridges on its three main sides.
Once again Red Bull City Trial will be a free admission event suitable for all age groups with no prior knowledge of the sport required, to enjoy what is sure to be another highly entertaining occasion of motorised two-wheel action.
Further event details will be confirmed over the coming weeks, but in the meantime make sure Saturday 21st September is marked in your diary