Magic Maynard just two good
By Team TMX on 7th Oct 15
It was a happy ride home from the Flask Inn on the Whitby to Scarborough road for the Maynard family at the weekend as Matt Maynard produced a fantastic ride under pressure to win a close battle for the prestigious East Yorks Two-Day Trial trophy at the weekend from Lincolnshires Chris Alford, finally edging through on the most cleans rule.
With a full-house entry of 150 starters, including three lady riders, from across the country the amalgamation of East Yorks clubs came together to flag out an amazing event covering almost 60 miles of rough terrain, including 70 sections. It is a mammoth task but culminates in one of the finest events in
the centre.
The Saturday route rode well, giving riders a chance to nail plenty of cleans and up their confidence, although one or two fives were punched early on at Low Moor from a nervy Sam Haywood, Mark Parry and Derek ‘Del Boy' Farrow.
Maynard remained clean along with Alford, double winner Tom Hick (the first time as a fresh faced youngster just out of schoolboys in '93, then again in '96), Ian Hopley and Guy Chandler with last year's winner Tony Scarlett on two.
Onto the slippery river sections, especially 15 where observer Phil Teasdale allowed himself a fiendish grin as he brought many clean sheets to an end, namely Scarlett and Pete Sharp and a five off Chris Jewell but it was the last section of the day that spoilt many a scorecard.
A loop out of the river and fierce climb to exit over an awkward rock step had Barry Chapman sobbing into his beer at the finish, the only blot on his card.
Also Dave Pye, Steven Suddes and Alan Williams hit the stop button but Mike Noble and James Alonzo had good rides for one.
Louise Alford put a strong ride together – only for a visit to hospital Sunday morning putting an end to her weekend – but she was soon back to support Chris.
Sunday proved a tough day, clean sheets tumbling as the notorious Raven Gill group took its toll.
Two cracking, straight forward rocky climbs had 'em floundering, grabbing marks off Alford, Hopley and Scarlett with only Maynard producing a fantastic spell of riding to remain unpenalised.
He carried on in the same vein until dropping his first mark of the day at Harwood Dale to lead on one with Alford and Patrick Wardle on three, Hick, Gavin Black and Guy Chandler on four and Olly Kendra on five.
Maynard hit a shaky spell with a five just after lunch but Danny Cockshott, who had accidentally baulked him, claimed him a rerun. Rightly so.
Then, if this wasn't enough, he encountered bike trouble. Alford, who was now in close company with Maynard, in a very sporting gesture came up with fresh petrol and they were on their way.
A five suffered at Hellwith Beck put them on seven each but both kept their heads to remain clean over the last tricky sections and, yes, it went to the wire with Maynard snatching victory on the most cleans rule from Alford, 65 to 67.
A great ride from the youngster and a very popular winner. He was presented with his trophy by East Yorks Centre President Sheila Filer.
