Report: Scott Trial 2016
By John Dickinson on 29th Oct 16
JAMES Dabill took a convincing win in the 2016 Scott Trial, the Vertigo factory ace taking victory last Saturday in the Yorkshire dales epic with the perfect mix of pace on the course and skill in the sections to take his third premier.
Dibs dropped 11 marks on time but was easily best on observation, dropping just 32 compared to runner-up, long-time pal Michael Brown on the Gas Gas UK machine, who dropped 42 and again 11 on time.
There was a popular third place for Beta-mounted Guy Kendrew, who was surprisingly swift, losing just 10 on time
Local ace and former winner Jonathan Richardson set standard (fastest time) this year as indeed he did last year, taking five hours and 29 seconds for the 80 mile moorland course, some 18 minutes more than in 2015, but a hefty 78 on observation saw the Sherco rider in sixth overall this time.
Last year's winner Ian Austermuhle (Beta) finished fourth this time but only on a tie-break after dropping 70 marks in total, the same as Jack Price (Gas Gas), Pricey finishing 10 minutes faster than Ian who returned the compliment by being 10 better on observation!
The 2016 Scott Trial was run in almost perfect conditions for such a physical event, the weather staying dry and cool and conditions on the course (though some might argue) not too boggy despite rain in the run-up to the event.
The mighty 200-strong line-up gathered in Feldom Field, near the village of Marske, the mighty course centred on the dales town of Reeth and with the first rider being flagged away at 9am prompt and eager contenders departing every 20 seconds they were all on the course just over an hour later and the race was on.
With a clear morning and no rain early numbers were soon entering the river at Orgate.
It had seen water levels fall some six inches overnight and for once caused no problems for riders, much to the dismay of the official trial photographers.
It was then away in a big loop over Hurst Moor before sweeping back and over the first road crossing to reach the first big spectator group in the gully at Underbanks.
Riders were then shepherded almost immediately back across the road to take in Reels Head and it was obvious from the sheer number of cars, vans and motorcycles that there was a huge spectator presence in the dales.
And it was the same story at Surrender with a solid wall of vehicles parked on both sides of the moor over several miles.
With early numbers having been en route for two hours and the quick men – who all start towards the rear of the field – for around an hour there had been plenty of action on the course with the fast riders picking off the club stalwarts.
First to arrive at Surrender at 10.58am, around 10 minutes ahead of schedule, were No.19 and No.12 Richard Hawes and Nick Royle.
They first of all tackled a shortened version of the usual hazard in the river before entering the old-favourite steep rocky gully thronged by the appreciative crowd.
It was then action all the way with No.60 Tom Bennett pushing on as was No.100 Jonathan Hughes, a vet of many Scotts.
Teenager Dan Peace (142), on his way to best First Timer, arrived at 11.22am, along with local heroine Chloe Richardson (No.119) who had already passed around 90 riders who set off in front of her.
With her determined race-face on nothing was going to get in Chloe's way.
Scott regular Graham Tales (110) was showing all his experience, No.171 Ben Hemingway was pushing-on as usual as was local Jimmy Stones, looking like he meant business in a surprisingly controlled way.
Dougie (192) arrived bang-on 11.30am as riders came thick and fast, the slower ones making way for the contenders, many glad of a few seconds' rest!
Form
Michael Brown (197) was looking confident – his Lakes Two Day win the previous week a clue to good form – and arrived just a couple of minutes later along with Jack Price (195), Jonathan Richardson (199) and just a minute later James Dabill (196), Tom Hick (179) and Dec Bullock (168).
And 2015 Scott winner Ian Austermuhle (193) was steady as ever a couple of minutes later chased by Ross Danby (194) and Iwan Roberts (189).
It really was anyone's trial at this stage with Guy Kendrew (190) clearly in the mix and Emma Bristow (180) looking cool as ever arriving just behind fellow Sherco rider, No.188 Luke Walker.
From Surrender riders then faced the long ride out round the Grouse Moor, no spectators, just the odd observer marshalling the remote sections and – even for the quick contenders – at least an hour's slog needing some good terrain reading to avoid the worst bogs.
Eager pit crews at the petrol check scanned the horizon for the first bikes and it was 12.19pm when Exmoor's Christian Welburn (25) arrived at the first By-Pass section, just yards up the course from refuelling.
But local ace John Sunter (191) was about to race past having made up around an hour on the early starters.
Sunt is always a contender for Standard Time but he was being shadowed by Dan Peace, who was holding nothing back and fellow-teenager, 2016 British Experts champion Tom Minta (155) looking really confident and on a mission as he made his way through the field.
The field was thinning now with a fair few of the ‘glory' riders ( "You HAVE to enter The Scott”) having dropped out but many more plugging on, some happy to have got over Grouse Moor and wondering how much further they could get.
Four minutes after Minta, Richmond member Jimmy Stones arrived but was about to be overtaken by Richardson who was really getting into his stride having just passed Ben Hemingway.
Pricey was just a minute behind and another 60 seconds passed before Browny and Sam Haslam (183) cruised through, followed by Chloe Rich.
There really weasn't a lot to choose at the head of the field as there were only odd minutes between Ian Austermuhle, James Dabill – right behind Austie – Iwan Roberts pacing himself nicely just behind Dibs and Kendrew shadowing them all.
Calm
Emma Bristow was cracking on, only about five minutes adrift and ahead of minder and boyfriend James Fry (200) and Chris Pearson.
The crowd was just wondering where Dougie was when he appeared around 13 minutes after Dabill looking calm and cleaned the section at pace before cracking on.
The route then headed through Grand Canyon and up the left side of Arkengarthdale (from Reeth) through spectator groups Tank Trap, Blackhills and old favourite Whaw Bridge.
It was then a hop across the road taking in groups including the steep, stepped, narrow beck at Faggergill and on to Shaw gutter and Bridge End, where spectator numbers were greater than ever.
And at Bridge End it was the super-fit main contenders all the way and arriving right on cue – well two minutes early of the estimated time – were local speedsters John Sunter and Jonathan Richardson, Sunt just ahead but Rich leading on corrected time by around three minutes.
Both cleaned the gully with man-made steps that after several years have a much more natural look about them.
Tom Minta was hanging in there and roundly applauded before Pricey, Stones and Browny appeared around a minute down.
And a couple of minutes later came Guy Kendrew who was clearly right in the mix, as was Dabill who cleaned the section in 100 per cent control.
Roberts, Haslam and Austie were right behind and it was so close at this stage that observation, as ever, was going to be crucial.
Doug had gained a couple of minutes on Dabill as he arrived just behind Jack Stones and just ahead of Dan Thorpe (166) and Andy Chilton (167) who were still together after around three hours.
Bridge End represents the start of the run home but it is a long run across Booze Moor and Fremington Edge then re-tracing the loop back to Marrick and Reels Head before turning back across Hurst Moor to the welcome final hazard at Clapgate.
All that is left is the triumphant ride up the finishing field and – this year – through the Red Bull arch!
And with a buzzing crowd encircling the finish line it was Richardson who sped up the field at 03.05pm to set Standard Time in five hours and 29 seconds precisely.
Johnny was happy with his time but not with his observation.
Caution
"The sections this afternoon were really slippery, I've lost too many in the sections,” was his rueful comment.
As ever Sunt had thrown caution to the winds in his effort to set Standard Time and he was just about all-in. A mighty 147 went west in the sections but John still nailed another Scott Silver Spoon.
Pricey, in just his third Scott, was next in and Jack had definitely upped his performance from the previous year, moving up from eighth to fifth overall and Best Under 21.
Guy Kendrew – tenth finisher last year – was next home a couple of minutes later and the Northallerton club rider, who has had a relatively quiet year, was to complete the podium after an excellent combined ride with just the right blend of speed on the course and control in the sections.
Three minutes behind Guy came Michael Brown and James Dabill, who had started together and after over five hours of see-saw battle they amazingly finished virtually together.
It was clear that they would both be in with a shout and The Dibsta's superior ride in the sections was to be the difference.
In they came, each with a story to tell, Ian Austermuhle, James Stones and Dan Peace.
Dan had made a superb Scott debut not only taking Best Newcomer but also claiming a Scott Spoon. No wonder mum Jane and dad Tim were proud.
Ross Danby, Iwan Roberts, Dan Thorpe, Ben Hemmo, Tom Hick, Jack Stones, Jack Spencer, Tom Minta and Richard Sadler all made their way up the field.
Local boy Richard had tried very hard in the sections and was third best on observation but hadn't fared so well against the clock and wasn't happy at the finish – although he still took the last of the main awards in seventh.
Emma Bristow had the fun of beating James Fry to the finish and James was honest enough to admit that despite catching and passing her earlier couldn't keep up at the finish.
World Champ Emma bagged a coveted Spoon, something that many good riders would give anything for, after another amazing ride.
And Emma was first to congratulate Chloe Rich as the local lass stormed home only just an hour behind brother Jonathan, who set fastest time and who raced down the field to see little sis home.
There were eventually 88 riders classed as official finishers with Irish visitor Stanley Callaghan bagging the last of the Certificates.
Matty Maynard nabbed the last of the coveted Scott Silver Spoons leaving Andy Chilton as the first of the Certificate winners.
James Dabill – now a three times winner – said at the finish: "Why do we do this to ourselves, I really was asking myself this as I battled the pain round the course.
"My back went on Grouse Moor
and that didn't help much I can tell you.”
It was all worthwhile as he was crowned Scott champion though.
Dibs later admitted: "I thought I was in with a chance as no-one seemed confident about a good observation score and I knew I hadn't given too many away.
"It is an amazing trial to win and I'd just like to thank everyone who makes this event happen.”
Once again it had been a fantastic day's sport, full of action and drama from beginning to end and every single rider who reached that finish line had achieved something to be proud of.
They had certainly earned their eagerly awaited pint, something shared with generations of Scott riders in the greatest single-day trial in the world...
