Trials Torque: Brits’ Euro vision pays off
By John Dickinson on 31st May 17
THE second and third rounds of the Women and Youth European Championship were staged in Liepaja, Latvia, on the Baltic coast, at the weekend.
And a disappointingly small entry was treated to a really good trial at a great venue where sections were situated in the ruins of a building destroyed during the second world war.
The trial consisted of two laps of 14 sections and was very well organised in lovely sunny weather.
England was well represented in this extremely low-key series as three girls and two boys travelled to Latvia to represent their country – Ladies Emma Bristow, Alicia Robinson and Jen Stevens plus Youths Reece Gazzard and Brett Harbud.
World Champ Emma finished a strong first in the Women's Championship on Saturday dropping just a single mark through the 28 sections.
But on Sunday Emma fell foul of a unique European Champs rule and was docked five marks for walking a section – the tenth – on the second lap.
This penalty, coupled to three marks dropped on the opening lap saw Em drop to a disappointing second place, with top German rider Theresa Bauml benefitting by picking up a surprise victory.
Alicia Robinson finished tenth on Saturday dropping 52 marks but bounced back with a strong ride on Sunday dropping her score considerably to just 36 and was rewarded with a fine sixth place.
Jenifer rode the Ladies International class and finished third on both days.
In the Youth class Reece finished seventh on the first day, with Brett just behind him in eighth.
And on Sunday Reece was able to move up a spot and gain a
sixth-place finish, as Brett unfortunately slipped to ninth.
The series will reach a conclusion with the final round in Italy in August.
