Mitchell Trial, 4th round of the ACU British Championship
| I had an email from Rob Cobley on Saturday evening saying that if it rains on Sunday the Mitchell will be a bloody tough one... he was observing at the event and had been at the practice day where it had rained and the big rock steps were proving hard to climb due to the wet take off areas. Thankfully we had no more rain over night and by the time Ross Thurlow arrived at my house at 8am Sunday it was sunny and dry. I know I harp on about this subject, but I still am amazed at the lack of pre event coverage and promotion these championship events get. People were emailing me up until Friday to try and find out the location and times!!! And as Ross and I drove to the event we saw a couple of small orange arrows showing the way. No posters or announcements that this was the British Championship to perhaps draw a few more people in to experience our sport. I don't blame the clubs, I just thought that the ACU were the promotors of the event as well. At the bottom of this page is a link to the Trial Magazine report with results and my gallery of images I took during the day so I will keep this to a few thoughts and observations.... |
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| ... although the club used the basis of sections that we have seen before there were enough changes to keep the sections interesting. And also it was very nice to see that they weren't just one huge rock step after another as most were very technical, and of course a few crowd pleasing huge steps as well !! Most of the marks I saw dropped by the Championship riders weren't on the big steps but in the tricky bits or the slippery climbs. From the results and from what I overheard some riders say they seemed very pleased with the overall balance of the event... not too easy but not dangerous. One thing puzzles me... are the team Sherco one piece suits supposed to have the Sherco name upside down on the legs of the riders? Malc Rathmells jeans read the right way up!! It was nice to catch up and have a chat with some people, John Hulme from Trial Magazine, John Shirt jnr, Alexz and Julian Wigg and Jack Sheppard is not only a brilliant rider but also a really nice lad who is happy to chat between sections. I think the 125's were right on their limits at this event but Jack not only won the 125 class but also the Champ A class overall. A mention must go to Shaun Morris, not only riding very well but had some luck as well. His chain derailed on the way up the big wall section, just on the take off. I heard a loud crack but wasn't sure what it was until he reached the top and couldn't go any further!! Luckily his minder grabbed his fork tubes to stop a big backwards fall. My picture Here shows him mid leap with chain off. |
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| ...The weather stayed good all day and the small crowd were treated to a great trial.. and a great last lap from Alexz Wigg to nick 3rd from Michael Brown. Alexz's bike really is in need of a change, it has done the British champs and also the SSDT, amongst many other rides, and is starting to sound a bit tired!! Michael's Sherco sounds very deep and powerfull but doesn't seem to have the same quick grunt as say the GasGas of Dabill. But enough to kill me no doubt!! It was nice to see Jake Evans-Luter having a great ride... complete with his lucky pink gloves! (picture right) I have had the great pleasure of riding club trials in his company and although it really drives home how crap a rider I am he is great to watch. So far he is going well in the British Youth A championship, and he took the youth award at this trial by a large margin. I was picking up tips from his riding and reckon he needs to watch out at the next Pontypool club trial... ! Well, a great day in Wales once again. The event seemed about spot on for most and apart from the aforementioned lack of promotion by the ACU it all seemed to go very well... see ya next year! And also see you at the St. Davids. |
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