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Article continues below
Thanks to these companies and individuals for their support and donations to the recent
Trials Central " Bash On The Ben" Charity Auction |
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Gloucester &Cotswold Hurran Trial |
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 Steve Workman
Report:& Picture David Stanley
Gloucester and Cotswold M.C. held it's Hurran Trial recently at Ebworth Woods near Sheepscombe, with a quality entry of 120 riders.
This popular open to Centre event was oversubscribed long before the closing date, and attracted the cream of the country's young riders, who were destined to take the top three places in a very close contest.
Set out in wet conditions the day before, Sunday was expected to be a wet affair according to the forecast. However, the rain stayed away, and the sections were far more rideable than expected, providing plenty of grip for all of the competitors. The trial itself consisted of two laps of 21 sections, split into eight groups scattered around a five mile loop, deep in the heart of Natural Trust woodland. Most of the sections included steep climbs up leafy banks, around trees and over exposed roots.
On the Standard route, expert Sam Haslam made another successful trip to the Western Centre by claiming victory with a brilliant clean ride. Riding his JST 280 Gas Gas, he managed to keep his feet up over the slippery rooted climbs of sections 11 and 12, which proved to be the undoing of his nearest rivals. Talented youngster Ross Danby was in contention for the win, until the above sections caught him for single dab rides on his first lap. He added a third mark to his score with another fist lap dab in section 17 in the Firs group, which consisted of a slippery double rooted step at the top of a climb, just before the ends cards. Despite completing the rest of the trial without loss, the damage had been done, and 125 Gas Gas mounted Danby was unable to claw any marks back in this low scoring event. This was reflected in the fact that the next three riders were separated by one mark apiece, although higher scores were recorded further down the order. Third place finisher making up the trio of brilliant young trials stars in attendance was Alexz Wigg, who rode his 125 Gas Gas to a final loss of six marks. Alexz lost his first mark early on in the trial at section two, which included a tight turn out of a small bomb hole onto the remnants of a stone wall, with a tricky exit around the base of a tree over some roots. Wigg was then able to remain feet up until sections 11 and 12, which were to prove costly adding four marks to his total over the two laps. A further single mark loss in the tight turns of section 21, known as the Car Climb, put him out of contention for the overall win. Next was Scorpa mounted Joel Mitson, who netted fourth place on a total of seven marks lost. Joel lost five of his seven marks on 11 and 12, whilst losing another in the Quarry on section 13, and getting caught out with another dab on the awkward exit of section 17. In fifth place was John Cowley, who claimed a first class award with the loss of eight marks. The Gas Gas rider had a steady ride, which was spoiled by a two mark loss in section 16 in the Firs, where the rest of his main rivals all went clean. Last of the first class awards went to Simon Welch and Rob Wrigley, who lost a total of ten and eleven marks respectively. Former National Clubman's Champion Steve Workman saw any chance of a good result ruined by two fives, both of which occurred on the first lap in sections 9 and 13. Workman, now Sherco mounted, was unable to recover in a low scoring trial for the aces, despite pulling out double clean rides in the difficult twelfth section on his way to 19 marks lost.
As with the Standard route, scores were very low at the top for the 84 competitors on the Alternative route. Although nobody managed to go clean, the tie break rules were brought into play to separate the top eight finishers. First place went to Intermediate over 40 rider G. Haslam, who rode his 250 Gas Gas round for the loss of one mark. Section 19 by the pond resulted in his only loss, which was incurred on the second lap. This section consisted of steep climbs on a bank around the trees, with a tricky left hand turn over some exposed roots. A pivot turn was required to successfully negotiate this part of the hazard, which consistently took marks from most of the entry. Next came three riders each losing three marks apiece. Using the furthest one rule, T. Blackmore on his Scorpa came second followed by Nigel Tomkins riding a 250 Sherco in third place. Best Youth B on three marks lost was 125 Gas Gas mounted R. Wiggins, who lost a total of two marks in section 10 at Fostens, and a third mark in section 19. Best Intermediate was N. Varney on five marks lost, closely followed by best Novice S. Woodfield who guided his Montesa round for a loss of eight. Twin shock rider Nick Draper had a superb ride to take the award on 15 marks lost, whilst Gas Gas riders D. Pratt and C. Payne took the best Youth A and Novice over 40 awards on 21 and 42 marks lost respectively.
The club would like to thank everybody involved in helping make this event a success. In particular, thanks goes to the observers who continue to offer their support in all weathers, without whom the trial could not take place.
Standard Route
Expert - Hurran Trophy: S. Haslam (280 JST Gas Gas) 0 ml
Second Place - Ramstedt Trophy: R. Danby (125 Gas Gas) 3 ml
Third Place - Harper Trophy: A. Wigg (125 Gas Gas) 6 ml
Best G & C Club Member: J. Mitson (250 Scorpa) 7 ml
First Class Award: J. Cowley (300 Gas Gas) 8 ml
First Class Award: S. Welch (CC 270 Beta) 10 ml
First Class Award: R. Wrigley (250 Beta) 11 ml
Best Intermediate: M. Johnson (270 Beta) 35 ml
Best Youth A: H. Bendall (250 Gas Gas) 49 ml
Alternative Route
Best Intermediate Over 40: G. Haslam (250 Gas Gas) 1 ml
Best Youth B: R. Wiggins (125 Gas Gas) 3 ml
Best Intermediate: N. Varney (250 Gas Gas) 5 ml
Best Novice: S. Woodfield (250 Montesa) 8 ml
Best Twin Shock: N. Draper (246 Cotswold) 15 ml
Best Youth A: D. Pratt (250 Gas Gas) 21 ml
Best Novice Over 40: C. Payne (249 Gas Gas) 42 ml
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