British Championship Round Five Preview

Ztc 5528James DabillThe fifth round of the 2014 RT Keedwell  sponsored British solo Trials Championship takes place this weekend at Lletty Farm, Aberdulais, Neath. Postcode SA10 8HR.

 

The St David's organised by the Neath Club have run here many times in the past and the venue is popular with riders as it offers plenty of different challenges. Muddy climbs, loose gullies and rocky outcrops are all on offer, great for riders and spectators alike. As with all of the Championship events this year it will be run over 3 laps of 12 sections with the action getting underway at 9.30 on Sunday with the Expert Class followed by the Championship runners.

 

Looking at the Expert group first of all it is Guy Kendrew who has set the running with a perfect set of results. Four riders and four wins has seen Guy take a huge lead into this round and even if he stayed at home on Sunday he would still be in the lead after the event.

 

Realistically the battle is on for second and third in the standings and at the moment James Stones holds second place from Joel Edwards with Tom Affleck fourth and Buster Regan fifth. Stones had a bad result at Addingham Moorside but he came back strongly at the Edinburgh round two weeks ago  at the spectacular Bob Macgregor Trials Academy ground. Joel Edwards will need to keep an eye on Tom Affleck who started the season slowly but is now looking much stronger.

 

The Championship Class has seen no less than 22 riders score points this year but it will surprise no one that the top two James Dabill and Michael Brown are the pairing making the overall running.  Dib's holds a six point advantage over the current British number 1 Michael Brown and his mastery of the Scottish round was superb. Brownie posted almost as many clean rides as James but his overall consistency and ability not to lose 5's put him clearly ahead last time out. Behind the top two there is a battle going on with Alexz Wigg, Jack Sheppard and Ross Danby fighting for third in the standings. Alexz has ridden with real determination this year, Jack has been very consistent and Ross cannot be discounted.

 

With some of the younger riders also having made their presence felt this season there should be plenty of interest throughout the day.