NEW dad James Dabill is hoping to repeat his only podium finish in this weekend's British round of the World Trials Championship.

The 28-year-old Beta rider from Cookridge, who is sixth in this season's standings going into the sixth round, was third at Nord Vue in 2012, and would love to repeat that achievement.

Dabill, whose son Archie was only born a few weeks ago, has three best finishes of fifth this season – two in the opening round in Australia and another in Italy – while his worst placings were tenth in Japan and seventh in Corsica.

Last weekend, he was sixth in very British conditions at a wet and slippery Belgian Grand Prix, and said of his forthcoming weekend in Cumbria: "I am really looking forward to it. There is no better feeling than riding in front of your home fans.

"That said, I also have some mixed feelings as I would have liked to have been on the podium in another country by now. I don't just want to rely on my home round being the only place where I can be in the top three.

"My goal this year is to match what I did at Nord Vue two years ago – but also do it on foreign soil.

"You have that extra bit of confidence which the crowd gives you as they make so much noise at each of the sections.

"When Dougie (Lampkin) was at the top, they cheered him on every inch of the way, so we will get an amazing atmosphere.

"But overall I feel comfortable to be sixth in the championship and feel that I am now closer than ever to the top five."

Dabill added: "The top five are incredibly strong and you cannot afford to make any mistakes if you want to be among them.

"I believe that I have now made the top five into the top six, and that is now the level the other riders are trying to break into.

"Penrith always offers something different. The sections are man made but that almost suits me better.

"I hope that they have mixed it up again for this year and that we have some new challenges that will be good for riders and fans.

"I have heard that they have had a digger in the quarry, so it will be interesting to see what work they have done."

As for fatherhood, Dabill concluded: "He (Archie) came with us to the Tour de France and was okay with all the noise, so I am sure he is going to love the trial too.

"Being on the podium again would be brilliant but I have to say that being a dad is absolutely awesome, and even better than I expected."