MONTESA master Dougie Lampkin had to settle for an uncharacteristic second place when he was forced off the top spot at the opening round of the Spanish Championship held in Almeria.

In preparation for the forthcoming outdoor World Championship, Lampkin -- who rides for the Burnley-based Sandiford team -- flew to Spain to ride against his opponents, who were all using the event as a pre-season warm up.

Sited in gravel pit two hours north of Malaga, the trial comprised two laps of 15 sections that changed dramatically as the ground eroded.

Many of the big steps became smaller as the soft surface fell away after each rider's attempt, with deep ruts forming in many of the hazards by the second lap.

By his own admission, Lampkin was below par on the opening two sections, one when he spun a loose rock on a steep climb, and the second when he simply broke the marker tape.

Although defeated by the on-form Spaniard David Cobos, the Silsden rider still managed to finish ahead of his other main World Championship contenders as the event produced a host of bizarre results.

"I'm not happy at being beaten, but the main purpose was to get the whole team together before the first World trial in Guernsey later this month," said Lampkin.

"We haven't worked together as a unit since last September, and it proved a worthwhile exercise. There is still work to do -- and that includes me."