Sheppard is full of Tricks!
By TMX Archives on 15th Jan 09
THE YMSA Trials division held the National Trick Bits Winter Trial at Dudwood Farm, Elton. The day started very windy but above freezing, making riding conditions very tricky in places as the frost thawed out of the ground.Approximately 70 riders turned out to ride 12 sections, three laps. Throwing together a mix of A class riders and Experts. The day started in a very tense mood, as the A Class and Experts made their way to section seven, down into the frozen river bed consisting of large rock steps.
Chris Short, riding A class for the first time looked in a confident mood firing his Gas Gas up the first rock step and a drop down into the icy river bottom causing him a few problems and giving Chris his first maximum of the season.
Section eight was over more rock steps, and a blast up a bank and round a tree causing no problems here for the A class stars. Alexz Wigg had a steadying prod and Lee Sampson strayed off line for a three mark loss.
Section nine caused no problems here and on to section ten; the steep gulley consisting of a steep track down into the river and three very large rock steps. Jack Sheppard flattened this section on his new Beta Evo, whilst his team-mate and main rival for this year, Ben Morphett, needed two steadying prods to crest the rock steps. Alexz Wigg and Lee Sampson rode this section superbly. Alexz giving his younger counterparts an Expert class ride winning the trial on 15 marks, taking nothing away from Jack Sheppard on 23 and Ben Morphett on 24.
B class riders started their day on section one behind the farm and into the wood. Jack Welch travelled from Wales to be rewarded with the Premier.
Luke Walker started with a clean on section one, Tom Dexter matched his ride, and Jack Welch completed the section on two dabs. Luke Walker ended lap one in first place on 11 marks to Jack on 12 and Tom 15.
The second lap started more or less the same with Luke Walker looking for his first B class win of the year, with sections getting harder due to the thawing conditions, Jack Welch showed his ace card by giving the best third lap score of a measly seven marks to win the B class on 36. A surprise fourth place went to young Billy Bolt on his 80cc Beta. Billy, a C class rider moved up for the day to try his hand at B class.
The Intermediate riders rode the same route as B class, finding conditions not to their liking.
Matt Spink took top honours here on 79 marks lost, with second going to Chris Eaton and third to Gareth Hinton.
In Youth C Dan Peace, Jack Price, Sam Yeomans and Curtis Fitzsimmons topped the class in that order. Dan Peace giving lap scores of seven five and nine, Whilst Jack Price battled all day with lap scores of 16, 15 and 12. Sam Yeomans ended the day on 80 and Curtis Fitzsimmons chased closely on 81 marks lost.
In Adult Novice, riding the same route as Youth C, Carl Dickenson took top spot losing 46 marks, and keeping the family name on the podium. Jon Yeomans claimed a close second spot just two marks behind.
Youth Novice was won by Josh Atkinson, ahead of Dan Hinton and Vini Chrighton Poli in third.
Finally in Youth D, young Jack Peace kept up the family traditions, taking the class honours on 24 marks lost.
YMSA TRIALS
Trick Bits Winter Trial, Dudwood Farm, Elton
Youth A: Jack Sheppard 23 marks lost, Ben Morphett 24, Chris Short 78, Joanne Coles 101, Liam Bowler 143, Rob Margetts 162.
Youth B: Jack Welch 36, Luke Walker 41, Tom Dexter 46, Billy Bolt 73, Rob Waite 88, Bradley Cox 93.
Youth C: Dan Peace 21, Jack Price 43, Sam Yeomans 80, Curtis Fitzsimmons 81, Andrew Eley 86, Dominic Feakes 99.
Youth D: Jack Peace 24, Joe Faunthorpe 94, Beth Waite (OOC) 124.
Expert: Alexz Wigg 15, Lee Sampson 48, Vincent Branch 90, Ben King 107.
Inter: Matt Spink 79, Chris Eaton 100, Gareth Hinton 101, Dan Burton 109, Michael Johnson 117, Lawrence Wright 133.
Adult Novice: Carl Dickenson 46, Jon Yeomans 48,Ben Burton 56, Nigel Allen 62, Katy Bullock 68, Emma Morphett 69.
Youth Novice: Lydia Wigg 72, Josh Atkinson 126, Dan Hinton 151, Vini Chrighton Poli 157.