WORLD TRIALS champion Dougie Lampkin has has switched machines -- and signed to ride Montesa bikes.

The Montesa company, which is based in Spain, but owned by the Japanese motorcycle giant Honda, snapped up the signature of the Silsden-based rider, from Beta, in a deal which is reputed to be the biggest in the sport's history.

The two-year deal is reported to be worth a six-figure sum and will back Dougie's bid to continue his domination of the world trials scene.

His aim now is to win five more world trials titles and beat former champion Jordi Tarres who won a record seven world crowns.

The Lampkin team is also backed by Dutch-based industrial radiator company Radson. Keighley company, Watkinson Transport will continue to sponsor the fuel costs for the team's transport fleet.

Dougie said: "This is an exciting new chapter in my sporting career. I have won the world championship for the last three years of the old century and nothing would make me happier than to start the new millennium by winning again.

"There is a lot to learn when changing to a new team, but I am motivated by the challenge. I know what I want and Montesa-Honda have the technical expertise to give my the bike I need to win trials on."

He has been involved in top secret trials with the new outfit for several weeks, but will ride the bike in competition for the first time at the Sheffield Arena trial on Saturday, January 8, when he starts the defence of his indoor world crown.

Bingley rider Martin Crosswaite gets a wild card entry into the Sheffield event alongside Graham Jarvis and Steve Colley.

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