Despite not being able to ride due to his injured wrist, Jitsie Beta factory rider Jack Sheppard was still present at the closing round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship in France. Eighteen-year old Jack made the trip to the French venue to collect his FIM gold medal having already clinched the Youth World title at the previous Grand Prix in Japan. Sheppard received his FIM award as part of the end of championship prize giving ceremony that was held at the ski resort of Isola 2000.
As Britain’s newest and only FIM World Champion this year, the teenager from Ipswich, Suffolk proudly stepped up on to the top step of the championship podium to collect his reward for his season’s hard work during which he has suffered much pain due to the long standing problem with his wrist. Already with his right wrist in a protective cast, Jack will undergo an operation in the next ten days to rectify the rare condition, which will put the youngster out of action for up to three months.
A very proud Sheppard spoke about his delight at receiving his gold medal. “Having spent most of the year travelling, it would have been easy to have stayed at home this weekend, however I was not going to miss out on collecting my award in person. Somehow it now feels real, as it has taken a little while to sink in.”
“Now I have the medal I actually feel like a World Champion and it feels good. I am going to try and enjoy the next few days as after that it is going to be a case of going for another scan and the having the operation.”
“I know the next few months are going to be difficult, but I am already trying to focus on next season and making sure that I come back as strong as possible.” Ended Jack.
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