As 2025 draws to a close, we thought it would be a good moment to catch up with Dougie Lampkin about this season and to look ahead to next year.
ACU: How has 2025 been for you?
DL: It’s actually been busier than when I was riding full time myself! With my eldest son Alfie doing TrialGB and TrialGP plus my other son Fraiser doing the SuperEnduro series and other enduro events it’s been absolutely flat out, but that’s the way we like it.
ACU: With all that going on have you been able to keep an eye on the recent ACU announcements for 2026?
DL: Even I have got a mobile phone, so I know exactly whats been happening! No one wants to see an increase in fees, especially at the moment, but it’s necessary if our sport is going to survive and hopefully thrive in the future. Speaking to other riders in the international paddock, our registration fee is still one of the cheapest in Europe. Also, if we want success on the World stage, we also need to be investing in our youngsters so we can hopefully have more World champions in the future. Having the personal accident cover included is a good thing and will give riders the protection they need.
ACU: Mobile phone impressive – are you on social media too?
DL: You sound like my sons, and yes, I am. It’s good to see that the ACU is too and is more active and present in this new world which is such an important tool these days in terms of communication and inspiring the next generation to come and get involved in motorcycle sport.
ACU: In more recent years you have become rider turned organiser, what do the recent changes mean to you from that point of view?
DL: As a Yorkshireman the good news is that the ACU is helping us reduce our running costs through cheaper event insurance which is definitely positive news. I think its important to recognise the importance of running through the ACU and have the proper cover and support in place, yes there are alternatives, but from my point of view I feel happier and more secure that I have the ACU in our corner in case of any issues.
ACU: Yorkshire born and bred, so how do you feel about the restructuring of the centres?
DL: As humans we don’t like change, but unless we are prepared to modernise and adapt to changes the sport can’t move forward. It’s OK saying it’s worked for decades, but that doesn’t mean it works now. We must change things if we want motorcycle sport to stay relevant.
ACU: We last caught up with you at Geddington for the British TrialGP event, how was your weekend?
DL: First up I would like to say a big well done to Jack (Lee) and Danny (Cockshot) as I know just how difficult it is to put on an event of that level. It was good to see the British fans come out and support the event with there not having been an outdoor round in the UK for so long, as without public support these events simply can’t happen. We are very excited to be keeping the momentum going and to finally be taking TrialGP to Anglesey next July, especially with us having Moto Fest running alongside it over the same weekend, it should be a great celebration of motorcycling and motorcycle sport.
ACU: Anything else you would like to add?
DL: It’s easy to kick governing bodies, I’ve done it at times, but ultimately there would be no sport or World champions without them. They have a thankless task at times, especially in the modern World where it’s easier to say no than yes, but genuinely I feel that the ACU is moving in the right direction and is going through a modernisation process that will make the short term pain worthwhile in the future, so it’s important that we all get behind them and try and do our bit to make our sport better.