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Trial hosted by:
Bexleyheath & DMCC
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"THE
ULTIMATE" Gavin Cooper sledge hammered the expert win to the tune
of 31 marks clear of second and third placed finishers Nicky Dowland and
Ben Wibberley. The demanding 20-section course was challenging and enjoyed
by all. Sections 4 and 7 were the crem-de la-crème's, full of meaty
action that produced some stunning rides. Section 4 was a rocky stream
section with banks either side that resembled fortress walls. Riders were
required to exit the rocky stream twice via these walls which wasn't easy.
Wibberley went first and rocketed up the first exit taking a precautionary
dab at the top. Riding the socks off his little 125 Gas Gas he was unfortunate
to lose another mark at the second exit. Dowland went next and splated
the first exit - awesome. The limited space available to exit the rocky
stream the second time was to play crucial when in a blaze of action both
rider and bike parted company - ouch! Cooper eagle-eyeing Dowland's ride
made good progress at the first exit and in striking contrast used half
the revs of the other two. Again the second exit caught even Cooper off
guard and some hasty footing resulted in a two mark loss.
Section 7 was positioned along a wooded bank with rutted drops that
mirrored the White Cliff's of Dover; and nature obstacles also littered
the section. Cooper went first, riding the first obstacle a fallen tree
mound cleanly in a 'wall of death' style looking very determined. The
next obstacle, another fallen tree positioned at the base of a mighty
climb was to be his Waterloo. His approach speed was to slow and the
5 marks lost with his failed attempt was a bitter blow. Dowland, unaware
of Cooper's mistake flew at the fallen tree at the base of the climb
at warp speed cresting the climb with a steadying dap and cleaned the
remaining obstacles - more importantly Dowland and Cooper were now tied
on 10 marks apiece for the trial lead. Wibberley attacked the climb
in similar style to Dowland (at speed). He so nearly reached the peak,
but was so unlucky when his front wheel clipped an outcrop high-up on
the bank to the inevitable 'flip' and horrendous crash. The exchanges
between Cooper and Dowland continued until Dowland over cooked it at
sections 13 and 15, his challenge fading to eventually hand Cooper the
win. Wibberley blasted his second lap and nearly clinched second place,
but the five at section 7 cost him dear losing out to Dowland on final
number of cleans.
The Expert B class (master class) win went to Steve Mote. An almost
clean sweep of first lap with only 16 marks lost. Mote monopolised his
first lap with an astonishing 21 marks lost on his second lap, and Colin
Mote (his brother) had no answer. Andrew Ely picked up the final podium
position.
Chris Horn took a comfortable win on the Intermediate route some 34
marks clear of second placed finisher Dave Brush. Third place went to
Jason Lucking. The Youth Intermediate win went to the very talented
Billy Ely whose ride today was something special. Second place went
to Robert Curd with another brilliant performance only losing out to
Ely on the final count of cleans.
Novice route winner Lawrence Burton was being pressed hard by the lady
of the trial Karen Shave with only four marks separating them at the
final standings. Youth Novice winner Matthew Hogg made easy work of
the course winning some 50+ marks ahead of Daniel Burton second.
The Twin Shock class was very hotly contested with only 7 marks separating
the top four. Andy Wilson the winner, Alan Ketley second and Robert
Rout third.
My thanks goes to the Land Owner, Officials and Assistants for all your
help in making this trial a very big success.
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