TWO great pillars of British motorcycling have joined forces, with CCM Motorcycles announcing 12-time FIM Trial world champion Dougie Lampkin as their latest brand ambassador.

Silsden's Lampkin will join four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty in flying the flag for the Lancashire-founded firm.

Lampkin has been a fan of their handmade British machines since they were first launched, and instantly fell in love with both the original version and the Scrambler models when he got to ride them during a Belstaff photoshoot last year.

Already a keen collector of vintage and retro British bikes, Lampkin has joined the queue with other CCM customers and is patiently waiting to take delivery of his personal Spitfire model.

However, he was delighted to collect the keys from CCM managing director Austin Clews for a pre-production Spitfire Six model at the London Motorcycle show earlier this month.

The rider will assist with the final development of this model, with the production model that will be delivered to customers in due course reflecting his personal input.

Both Lampkin and Fogarty will be joining CCM at a number of events throughout 2019, as the Spitfire limited edition models continue their tour of the UK.

Speaking about Lampkin's appointment, Clews said: "I think it is fair to say that the Lampkin family name remains one of the most famous in motorcycling history – much due to their sporting success over the last 50 or so years.

"Dougie's older cousin John actually rode for us in the Trial World Championship back in the 1980s.

"So it is a proud moment for us to have the opportunity to welcome another member of this British motorcycling dynasty to help us reinforce the importance of us still making bikes in the UK today.

"Dougie's own sporting successes speak for themselves, but equally he is a great guy who has a shared passion for what we are doing. He has values and experience that are sure to benefit us as a brand as we continue to work on some new and exciting projects.

"However, for the record, we will not be making another trial bike anytime soon."

Lampkin, whose current and existing relationship with Vertigo Motors regarding trial motorcycles – both in terms of competing and development – is unaffected by his new role, added: "Whilst I'm more widely recognised as a trial rider, I am actually a fan of motorcycling in general.

"As soon I saw the first photos of the Spitfire it was love at first sight, so I was really happy when CCM agreed to loan us a couple of Spitfires for the photoshoot we did in the Scottish Highlands last year.

"Riding the bikes confirmed that I needed to own one and after a bit of Yorkshire bartering, not only am I about to become a CCM customer but I have also become a brand ambassador too."

For more details about CCM Motorcycles and the Spitfire model range please visit www.ccm-motorcycles.com