Round 5 of the BTC in Ireland
By TMX Archives on 15th Aug 06
Sam Haslam (Team JST GAS GAS UK) has just won the Expert Class of Round 5 of the BTC in Ireland at the weekend, first time out on his new "07 model PRO280 !! Sam now leads the Championship with two rounds remaining by 2 points from Dan Thorpe (Team JST GAS GAS UK) who struggled with an ankle injury and finished 5th on the day.
Joe Baker (Scorpa) was third on the day and now is only one point behind Dan in the championship so this Expert Class Championship is looking to be a close one and is definately going to go down to the wire at the last Round in Bradford in October !
(I have taken off each riders worst result because remember that this year only 6 from the 7 rounds count.)
Steve Colley (Team JST GAS GAS UK) finished third in the Championship Class behind winner Graham Jarvis(Sherco) and Shaun Morris (Team JST GAS GAS UK).
All these 3 riders rode superbly and congratulations to Graham who deserved the win with a very solid ride.
A well deserved 2nd place ride went to Shaun who was slightly dissapointed at the finish because he thought he did enough for the win. This wasn't to be and the experience of Jarvis showed with a last lap of '1' to steal the win from Shaun.
I have to say that with the fantasic talent of the young guns coming through, its still good to see Steve and Graham at the top showing that the 'old boys' have still got it !
A stupid mistake from Colley on section 5 on the second lap when he veered totally off line (not uncommon!) and rode over the tape to record a VERY costly 5 which we knew there and then spoilt any chance of a win in this relatively easy event.
Nevertheless Steve kept his cool and had a last lap of 3 which kept the pressure on right 'til the end.
Graham nows leads the Championship by 10 points from Steve and Shaun who are now both level on points if they all drop their worst result!
Im sure the GG boys will keep the pressure on Graham with two rounds remaining...
Alexz Wigg (Team JST GAS GAS UK) yet again 'blitzed' the Youth Class AND the Expert Class to win both Classes!
Alex is simply 'onfire' at the moment and is really riding well and i congratulate him on his ride on Sunday. To win the Expert Class by 10 marks on a 125 is very impressive!
Next year Alexz will ride the Championship course on a 125 so look out guys Wiggys coming!
Second in the Youth Class was,yet again, Ross Danby (Team JST GAS GAS UK) who must be getting tired on Alexz getting all the glory but nevertheless is also riding very well and would have finished in 5th place in the Expert Class, so indeed a very good result!