All go on the National front

 

 

Paul Wright and the Middlesbrough club lads have pooled their creative talents for a superb 30 mile, 39 section Cleveland course to test every one of the 150entrants.

 

First man away and a strong contender for the Clubman Class win is Middlesbrough man Alan Williams. Brother Steve will challenge, along with Colin Bailey, Neil Gaunt, Sam Haywood, Glen Scholey, Guisborough`s Mark Buckworth and past winner Simon Williamson. Catherine Alford will keep the fairer sex up front and Martin Phillipson will be sure to put a good ride together for the older generation. 

 

A strong class of Intermediates will see Carlton youngster Matt Maynard, the ever competitive Dave Pye along with Lewis and Gavin Black, Katy Sunter, Andy Lishman, Ian Hopley and Gavin Lowther doing battle.

 

A host of talent in the Expert class will see four of the top contenders in young Richard Sadler from Richmond, Malton`s Ian Austermuhle, Liam Walker and Dronfield`s Dan Thorpe. Pushing hard will be the lads riding on home ground, Guy Kendrew, James Carr, fresh from a good win at a tough Scarborough trial last week, Andy Chilton and Adam Milner and Yarm`s Tom Affleck hitting form.

 

Start is 9am from Castleton cricket field. Excellent spectating points with very little walking involved are Danby Bank Top, Clitherbeck, Crossley Side and the famous finale at Stormy Hall, just off the Blakey Rigg road. Always a good trial to ride and to watch.

 

At the same time, the Bemrose Trophy Trial will take place in deepest Derbyshire. Sunday will see the staging of the 84th Bemrose with a total of 103 competitors and while there's a drop in star names there's a rise in the growing band of Over 40s. 

 

The clash with the Cleveland Trial has not done the North Derbyshire MCC or Manchester 17 MCC any favours (nor would you expect a direct clash of northern based Nationals to) nor the triple section fiasco last year that certainly had long suffering secretary Alan Nixon tearing his hair out. 

 

However, the Bemrose rightly remains a very popular event and runs as last year with 40 sections on the one lap route. Kidtor Dale and Staden Quarry fire-up the trial followed by Wrights and that muscle sapping walk (for spectators) up to lofty Etchings. Booth Edge, Washgates and historic Hollinsclough follow, then the red river at Manor Steps with Hawks Nest beckoning across the valley. 

 

The narrow stream at Cheeks signals the end of the lap, and the trial. The Big Guns are past winner Sam Haslam on the Gas Gas with new Jotogas teamster Ross Danby for company. Local Gas Gas importer John Shirt will be pushing Craig Robinson and Chris Pearson will be pushing all of them for MRS/ Splat Sherco. Toby Eyre rises to Inter after bossing the Novices last year.

 

With 67 Over 40s a winning forecast is not wise at all but Mark Timperley and local Scott Rowland seem sound in mind and body. It all kicks off at 9am and Mr Nixon has assured everyone it will be fine and bright with no snow.

 

Full reports on both Nationals next week!