What a fantastic trial!

The start to the Star Group Combine series got off to a cracking start with this the opening round being held at Bagshot Heath. The course consisted of 3 laps of twelve sections and a speed test thrown in for good measure.

The start to the trial got underway with the even rider numbers starting at section 1 and the odd numbers starting at section 7. I was number 'twelve' and was directed by the starter to start from section 7. (numbers have never been my strong point either). Section 7 commenced with a run into a gully then over a slippery log. The log obstacle was about 2 feet high and gave me no end of problems, neither a fast and slow approach got me over it clean, but seeing as the experts were having troubles Inew it was difficult.

Speaking to Nick Downland on my second lap, Nick said "i've only lost four marks so far". I said nothing, because knowing me if i said something like "wow, how do you do it" he would fall off on the next section and in one fail swoop double his score. Chris Dark, aboard his 280 Gas Gas was also on a flyer. Chris rode impeccably on all of the really difficult expert sections and showed me some better lines through some of more challenging sections. I don't see him on the results - if anyone knows how he did can you let us know.

Section 10 was a right little corker. The approach into the section (intermediate route) started nice and easy - a run up a little incline turning 90 degrees left a fallen tree awaited me sat on the brow of a bank. The tree cost me bucket loads of marks, purely because I wasn't willing to commit. On my third lap I'd had enough, safety wasn't an issue I new I could clean this section so I went for it. The Sherco went into launch mode over tree with riders/spectators running for cover as my berserko Sherco and me aboard blasted towards them at mach 2. My determination paid off with 1 mark lost on my third lap. This was the best section in this trial, so well done to the COC.

A big thank you to all the marshal's, officials and who ever owns the land - cheers see you next year.

click here to see another write-up of this trial