BRAIN iS MANX MASTER
By TMX Archives on 30th Aug 13
Josh Brain won the Manx Two-Day Trial for the second year in succession with a brilliant single mark ride on what was a glorious weekend in his home island.
The local 21-year-old, on a 300 Gas Gas Racing, rode 81 of the 82 sections without loss, dropping his solitary dab on the first section at Arrasey Gulley.
Closest rival and former Manx winner Dan Thorpe was also docked his only one of the Saturday run in the southern half of the island at this section.
MRS Sherco's Ricky Wiggins went clean to within four sections of the finish on day one before he needed a dab on the first section over the volcanic rocks at Poyll Vaaish.
Fourth, behind the three joint leaders at the midway point, was Bradford's Nathan Wrigglesworth with a loss of three separate marks on the Appleyard Sherco, while Ben Sprigg of the Leamington Victory club and Manxman Chris Madigan ended the day on six apiece, two ahead of Josh Woods.
Saturday's big story in the Clubman class was the ride of Enduro Junior Indoor World Champion Danny McCanney who completed easier versions of the same 44 sections for just three marks on his 250 Gas Gas to finish on the same marks as former winner Darren Wasley of Sheffield.
Late entry Howard Dixon was only one behind on four, with Nigel Crowther and Tom Swindlehurst on five.
The top-11 riders were all on single figure scores, including newly crowned Enduro Youth Cup World Champion, Jamie McCanney, riding a 280 Honda-Montesa in only his second ever trial.
The going was marginally tougher on Sunday, particularly for the clubbies, as the trial wended its way through the hills and gulleys in the north of the island.
Early visits to former world round venues at Summerhill Glen and Governor's Dip on the outskirts of the capital town Douglas were followed by three at Strenaby farm and four on the stoney beach at Laxey.
Ricky Wiggins wrenched the cruciate ligament in his left knee on the first one there and despite struggling through a couple more hazards the pain was too intense and he retired to avoid further injury and discomfort.
John Shirt Gas Gas UK rider Thorpe rode clean until Dhoon Quarry where he had a brace of dabs on the last two of four subs there.
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE TMX AUGUST 30
RESULTS
Premier: Josh Brain (300 Gas Gas) 1 mark lost, Dan Thorpe (300 Gas Gas) 10, Ben Sprigg (300 Sherco) 19, Nathan Wrigglesworth (300 Sherco) 35, Josh Woods (250 Sherco) 43, Chris Madigan: 300 Sherco) 48.
First Class Awards: Grant Laming (300 Gas Gas) 56, Jonathan Lunney (300 Sherco) 74, Anthony Ayrton (300 Gas Gas) 74.
Second Class Awards: Barry Kinley (250 Yamaha) 81, Steve Harris (300 Sherco) 88, Jack Lee (300 Gas Gas) 97.
Team Award: Bradford: Wrigglesworth, Ayrton, Sam Boocock 231.
Clubman
Premier: Darren Wasley (300 Gas Gas) 8, Tom Swindlehurst (300 Beta) 13, Nigel Crowther (280 Gas Gas) 14, Philip Hanlon (250 Beta) 18, Michael Clarke (300 Beta) 20, Steve Swanson (300 Sherco) 27.
Manx Newcomer: Jamie McCanney (280 Montesa) 63.
Clubman Lady: Saskia Baxter (250 Beta) 72.
