Father and Son take on the 2013 SSDT

A regular on the world championship scene in the 1980's, rider Alexander Stampfli of Aeschi in Switzerland has long held a dream of riding the SSDT with his son Oliver, passing the family baton down as his father had done to him. A stroke of luck has at last given him the chance.

 Oliver, a master butcher, arrived in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire in early 2012 to complete a job experience placement with Donald Russell Ltd, butchers by royal appointment. Alexander spotted his chance and both sent in their entries. Both missed the ballot but eventually received their entries from the reserve list.

 Alexander began riding trials with his father in the 1970's and went on to become a regular in the world championship between 1982 and 1989. He also rode the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1983 & 1986. He had a lot of competition during this time, not just from the famous names of the 70's trials scene but also from brother Thomas who rode the WTC at the time too. The Stampfli family obviously have trials in their veins.

Another highlight for Alexander was becoming part of Switzerland’s Trial de Nations team at the first ever running of the event in 1984. Even with such a rich history in the sport Alexander says “The chance to return to Scotland and share the experience of riding the greatest trials event in the world with Oliver was just too good to miss”.

Oliver too is over the moon to be riding this famous event during his short sabbatical in Scotland. He came over with his bike hoping to find somewhere to ride the odd weekend and has since then become a regular in the local Bon Accord club, Scottish national scene and event had a crack at the Scott last year. “For all the wonderful alpine scenery in Switzerland we are very restricted on where we can ride . The change to see parts of Scotland that most tourists never see and to do it on my trials bike is exciting. To have my father showing me around just makes it that bit extra special.”

Watch out for Alexander and Oliver in Fort William this year - they're riding numbers 212 and 213 respectively - give them a cheer as you see them go past!