The Gas Gas rider Dougie Lampkin was one of the most outstanding protagonists of the legendary Erzberg Rodeo Xtreme Enduro, held this weekend in the Austrian village of Eisenerz. The British came to the race still dragging discomfort in his right ankle after the injury he suffered in the Scottish Trial and without being able to race any enduro since February, but still managed second place absolute.

After qualifying in the twenty-sixth place in the Generali Iron Road (the race prologue), Dougie took advantage that started from the front row to not force the machine during the early stages of the Red Bull Hare Scramble, the final test. This tactic allowed him to keep forces for the intermediate and final sections, overtaking without running excessive risks or problems the zones where it was forbidden to receive external aid.

The last meters of the race, which takes place in a space known as the Iron Giant (a mountain has become one of the outdoor steel mines largest in Europe), were some of the hardest for the Gas Gas rider because he believed until the last moment couldn't improve the third place he achieved in 2010. However, the declassification of Graham Jarvis to skip one control, allowed Lampkin to rise to the second step of the podium behind Taddy Blazusiak.

Dougie completed the 20 controls of the Red Bull Hare Scramble in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 41 seconds, just over six and a half minutes of the winner and more than twenty minutes advantage over third-placed also British Jonny Walker.

'The Erzberg Rodeo itself is massive, whole event is great'

The Gas Gas rider is convinced that, with good preparation, he can fight for victory in the world's most famous Enduro Xtreme.

-Two consecutive podiums in the world's most popular Enduro extreme... not bad! Congratulations!

-Yes I'm really pleased with the result, the Erzberg Rodeo itself is massive with over 40,000 spectators and 1800 riders! The whole event is great from the prologue to the Hare Scramble.

-You came into the race with some discomfort in your right ankle and without being able to ride in an enduro for months... but wanted to participate anyway, right? Why it's so important the Erzberg Rodeo?

-Its been a difficult season and the first time that I have missed World Trials Championship races due to injury since the start of my career in 1993. I have also been very busy with the trials bike with events and shows. Erzberg is a real challenge and I wanted to start it and see if the ankle would hold on. I had a stronger boot from Alpinestars and a large amount of tape to keep the ankle solid and went for it.

-You believe that without the ankle problem would have been able to win this year?

-I have only been on the Enduro bike two times since Hell's Gate extreme Enduro at the start of February so the preparation could not have been worse, to win this event needs a lot more time on the bike. I want to push for the win next year...

-What's the secret to win at the Iron Giant?

-Massive preparation, a lot of bike time and luck not to damage the bike in all the crashes.

-What was the hardest moment in the race?

-Coming into the no help zone there are some really tough places, one zone was on 10 metres long and took me 10 minutes to push the bike through it...

-How you've seen the edition of this year and what most would you highlight? The atmosphere, the track, the competitors?

-This year the weather was not good with a lot of rain during the days before, but the public still came to support. The start is in the bottom of the quarry with 500 riders ready to start and the atmosphere is amazing waiting for the start.

-This is the first time that you participate at Erzberg with your new Gas Gas, what do you think?

-The bike was fantastic from start to finish over in all the different terrain of the race and I was great feeling from the bike, especially with the engine power and traction. That made my race much more easy.

-From now on, what's your plan for the remainder of the season?

-I need to let the ankle heal properly, when I ride the Trials bike I feel the ankle has not support and the shock through riding sections give me just too much pain. I need to make a decision on riding in Italy very soon as my body says no, but my head always wants to ride.