DOUGIE Lampkin showed that age is no barrier as he achieved a record extending 13th win at the 2022 Scottish Six Day Trial (SSDT).

His eventual winning margin of six marks put his victory beyond doubt, as once again the veteran campaigner produced his best performance of the week while he was under the most pressure.

Lampkin’s route to the top was anything but easy throughout a tight and tense week, with the Yorkshireman moving into the outright lead for the first time on Wednesday only to surrender it a day later.

He dug deep to take a two-mark advantage into the deciding day but knew one mistake would spell disaster with only three marks separating the top three going into day six.

 

Having missed out on the win when the SSDT was last run in 2019, Lampkin was in no mood to go home without the famous winner’s trophy on this occasion and rounded out the week in impressive fashion.

His first SSDT win was in 1994, before he then went on to make it three wins in a row, quickly adding 1995 and 1996 to his tally before he took time away from the event to concentrate on his World Championship winning years.

It was a triumphant return for Lampkin in 2008 and another victory followed in 2009 which saw him equal the record of five Scottish wins held by Sammy Miller and Mick Andrews.

From 2012 to 2018 inclusive and an unprecedented seven consecutive victories was a defining period for Lampkin, as he established himself as the undisputed King of the Scottish with 12 titles to his name.

2022 brought a not so unlucky 13th win for the Yorkshireman, as he reflected upon after collecting the main prize at the traditional post event presentation.

Lampkin said: “Right now, it feels very special having not ridden a major competition for two years due to the pandemic, it was always going to be difficult for me come back at my age and try to match the level of riders like Jack Peace who have had two seasons of World Championship events.

"The level has been so high this week, one mistake and I could have finished off the podium.

"The pressure was on going into the last day, but that seems to bring out the best in me. Going clean was a nice way to finish off and put the win beyond doubt.

“My eldest son Alfie will be old enough to ride next year, so if he is lucky enough to get through the ballot, I would love to ride with him and show him around the Scottish like Nigel Birkett did with me all those years ago. In my mind that will mean me not riding for the win, as Alfie will be my priority.

"That is easy to say right now, but that winning mentality is not easy to put to one side so let’s see what happens.

"The immediate priority is to rest and recover as my body is finished, and to enjoy this year’s win before I start thinking too much about 2023.