It's Ross 'n Rowl!
By TMX Archives on 8th Jul 11
The 31st Dave Rowland Trophy Trial took place on Sunday, July 3, starting at Haslin Farm, Buxton, Derbyshire, in glorious sunny weather.
More than 100 riders turned out for this annual National event hosted by Manchester 17 MCC, who organised a superb trial in the picturesque High Peak hills over a one-lap course of 40 sections and 26 miles of varied terrain.
Bewdley rider Ross Danby (300 Gas Gas) was simply unbeatable on the Harder route, taking the Dave Rowland Trophy in fine style with a clean sheet.
Former winner Dan Thorpe (300 Gas Gas) rode smoothly all day but three single dabs at sections eight, 13 and 17 blotted his copybook and left him in a close second place.
Local boy Craig Robinson, having a break from his British Championship season, steered his 300 Gas Gas to a good third, dropping just six marks to make it a Gasser 1-2-3 .
Last week's Wainwright Shield winner, Paul Bennett (290 Sherco), topped the Clubman route on most cleans with a total of four marks lost, riding as well as he ever has.
Sheffield rider Darren Wasley (300 Gas Gas) was a whisker behind him in second, while last year's Clubman winner Mick Boam (280 Scorpa) was just one mark further down in third.
Ossa rider John Cowley must have kicked himself all the way home to Whaddon – if he hadn't fived the very first section of the day at Ben's Scaurs he would have won it!
Big steps caused most of the problems for the Experts. Section five at Ben's Scaurs – consisting of large gnarly rocks with a big step at the finish – took marks off all but the top three riders.
Section 13 at Plantation was easy for the Clubmen but consisted of a huge log for the Experts and both Dan Thorpe and Richard Timperley (290 Sherco) dropped a mark apiece here.
Novice rider Andrew Stewart (250 Gas Gas) joked that he had better do well on section 15 at Clough House as he had set it out earlier.
Observed by Hilda and Rupert, it looked fairly innocuous with a drop down the bank into the stream, a trundle through the rocks and back up a tricky grassy bank under the trees and out to the ends cards.
However, you've guessed it, he fived it in spectacular style!
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE T+MX JULY 8
Results
Hard course
Expert: Ross Danby (Gas Gas) 0, Dan Thorpe (Gas Gas) 3, Craig Robinson (Gas Gas) 6, Richard Timperley (Sherco) 8, Shawn Fox (Gas Gas) 17, Ross Crosby (Montesa) 21.
Inter: Liam Robinson (Gas Gas) 41.
Over 40: Kevin Hipwell (Gas Gas) 55.
Novice: Simon Tyas (Gas Gas) 82.
Easy course
Over 40: Paul Bennett (Sherco) 4, Darren Wasley (Gas Gas) 4, Mick Boam (Scorpa) 5, John Cowley (Ossa) 6, Simon Levett (Beta) 7, Phil Scott (Montesa) 11.
Inter: Mat Timperley (Sherco) 13, Stuart Day (Montesa) 14, Sam Clarke (Beta) 24.
Novice: Phil Hulme (Beta) 16, Dan Clarke (Beta) 21, Andy Turner (Beta) 31.
