You won't Rew this...

By TMX Archives on 13th May 10

Colunists

Hard on the heels of the Scottish Six Days Trial comes the third round of the ACU Events sponsored British Trials Championships as the country's top trials riders go from one end of the country, the Highlands of Scotland, to the other, the south west of England!

This weekend, Saturday and Sunday, the British Championship chasers head down to Devon for the Anthony Rew Trial, with the practice session on Saturday, taking place between three and five pm, and the event proper staring at 10am Sunday.

The venue has changed back to Kelly Farm, Lustleigh, this year. In 2009 the trial went to Ruby Rocks which although it had great potential did not quite have the same British Championship hazards as Kelly Farm with its huge granite boulders.

In the Championship class there have been two straight wins so far for James Dabill who has looked like a man who wants to retain his number one plate this season. Michael Brown has finished second to James on both occasions and with a runner-up placing at the SSDT he will be looking for that first elusive 2010 win. We should not dismiss the prospects of the others in the class though. Shaun Morris was superb a month ago at the Macdonald round in Kinlochleven and with not returning to ride the Scottish the Lancashire lad should be raring to go. Ross Danby also went exceedingly well at the last round and had a really good week at the SSDT. Ross seems to have more consistency this season.

Following on from his superb first SSDT win, Alexz Wigg's confidence should be sky high - and let's not forget that Wiggy won this event last year.

The Experts A class has seen one win apiece for Ian Austermuhle and Gary Macdonald this year and you would expect to see them both up at the sharp end again this weekend. Also in contention should be the eastern centre's Jack Sheppard, who is riding his 125 Top Trial Team Beta, and Jonny Walker, both of whom are looking very determined this season. And don't rule out local ace Joe Baker as he's sure to be up at the sharp end.

No less than 30 riders have placed an entry in the Expert B and this group is proving to be a superb and competitive class. Looking for a prediction for the top three is fraught with danger but one man expected to be there is Darren Brice. The Cumbrian just gets on with the job and is so consistent. With two wins already to his credit this year you would not back against a third. John Crinson will make the long journey down from the North East and last year's runner-up in the championship now looks well at home on the Beta. Add in Dan Farrer, Richard Timperly, a strong Midlands contingent and quite a few others as well and who would predict a top three? The Expert B group is every bit as interesting and open as the other classes and I would not be surprised to see the Michelin sponsored Tyres end up with riders here as they battle for supremacy.

To witness the action at Kelly Farm you will find the event signposted from the A382 Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead Road. If you are travelling from the north, keep on the M5 past Exeter, pick up the A82 and then look for the Bovey Tracey signs about 10 minutes later.


Share this…