Dougie Lampkin took third place on both days of the Japanese round of the World Trials Championship after bad weather plagued the event with heavy rain falling asLampkin struggled to find his rhythm.

Despite some flashes of brilliance on the second day the reigning champion never really looked to be riding to his potential.

Dougie's defeat was cushioned slightly, as fellow countryman Graham Jarvis took a narrow victory, to demote rival Fujinami to second place and robbing him of three valuable championship points.

The long trip to Japan is one that Dougie will want to forget quickly, as he looks to reassert his authority when the series moves back to Europe later this month.

"It's been another disappointing day. Too many mistakes, too many fives. With the other guys riding so well there is no room for those kind of errors.

"I began the second lap quite well, but a stupid five in section four spoilt what was probably the best lap of the trial up until the last section. The observers decision in the very last section of the day was beyond belief, I did nothing wrong, but he seemed desperate to find an excuse to give me a five. That was the final straw in what has not been the best of weekends. "

Modifications to five of the hazards were necessary due the conditions as rain drenched the muddy bankings. With Freixa finding it difficult to adapt to the slippery going, it was evident it would be between Jarvis, Fujinami and Lampkin for top honours.

Even though Lampkin was not riding at his best, he remained in touch with his two rivals, trailing the leading duo by six marks at the end of the first lap.

Dougie matched their performances for the majority of the second lap, but an unforced error in the fourth hazard and a bizarre decision by the official in the last section ended a great fight back.

Lampkin and Fujinami are now tied at the head of the championship going into the next round in Andorra.