Dougie Lampkin took a hard-fought fifth place at the French Grand Prix in St Michele De Maurienne, which marked round five of the 2010 SPEA FIM World Trials Championship.

Torrential rain besieged the steep-sided valley to dramatically change conditions out on the course. The downpour lasted for several hours and washed away the dust, leaving mud instead.

Organisers were forced to make widespread alterations to many of the hazards before Sunday’s trial got started.

Undaunted by the severe and sometimes dangerous nature of the sections, Lampkin looked confident and controlled as he rode his way in and among the front-runners.

After the initial four hazards, Lampkin and Takahisa Fujinami headed the field with neither having dropped a mark, but this was to change quickly as the Silsden rider then racked up no less than five fives in a row.

Despite this setback, Lampkin held fourth place at the end of the opening lap and was within touching distance of a podium spot.

Less fives and more threes on the second lap saw him reduce his score by seven.

Lampkin said: “Even the younger riders have struggled with the heat. I was pleased with my fitness and strength and I think riding the extreme enduros has really helped me in this way.

“I hope I can repeat this kind of form over the next two rounds, as I am now closing in on sixth place in the championship despite having missed two counting days in Japan.”