Day two of the 2014 SSDT, sponsored by Hope and Ossa motos UK ltd, started at Laggan Rocks which is the furthest start point of the week from the Parc Ferme at 24 miles out. In fact Tuesday is to be the longest loop planned for the event at a leg and arm aching 95 miles.
Overnight heavy rain and cloud had largely cleared for the start and until shortly before midday many of the groups were bathed in broken sunshine, but the rain showers started again and would form the pattern for the rest of the day. Whilst helping to wash the rocks clean the rain made the moor crossings much harder work with many of the lower ranked riders finding themselves dropping behind their start positions as a result.
The three way tie of the lead after Monday has now moved to a 2 mark advantage for 7 times winner Dougie Lampkin over Sam Connor (Beta) and James Dabill (Beta), Dougie having remained clean on the day again. Will it be win number 8 for the ex World Champion? A lot can happen over the next 4 days but once Dougie gets a lead and his mind set he will take some beating.
Behind these three scores are just as tight, Guy Kendrew (Beta) weighed in with a clean ride for the day to join Michael Brown (Gas Gas) and Sam Haslam (Gas Gas) on 3 in total and Richard Sadler's (Sherco) one mark lost enabled him to claim 7th and also open up a 4 point gap between him and 8th placed Alexz Wigg (Gas Gas). Alexz spoiled his score card with a maximum at the last section at Forest Gate.
Jordi Pascuet (Jotagas) survived a moment after he attempted to move a large rock with his clutch casing and the resulting damage required time to make good, even though he was rushing a little to make up this time his day score of one 5 and a 2 means he is in 14th place and keeps a healthy lead in the over 40 class. Eddie Karlsson (Montesa) was much more settled and at ease today and his 4 mark total for the day has gone a long way in making up for his opening days score, he now lies 24th on 21 marks lost. Eddie is still in contention for the newcomers award which is so far being led by James Stones on his 125 Sherco.
Emma Bristow (Sherco) pulled away from Becky Cook (Beta) by another 10 marks today, Becky by her own admittance finding the long road work and heavy moor crossings hard work. Although acquiring 12 marks on time Katy Sunter (Gas Gas) maintained a healthy lead over SaraTrentini (Ossa) for 3rd place in the Female awards.
The likes of James Dabill, Jack Sheppard and Dougie Lampkin all start in the earlier time slot tomorrow and this could mix things up a bit at the top of the leaderboard, with scores as tight as they are just one mistake could prove decisive come the final day.
Wednesday's loop is 22 miles shorter than todays and the first riders should reach Callart at 08.00 where there are 5 sections before moving onto Callart Falls a couple of miles further on. The weather is looking to be wet again with a few bright outbreaks.