Trials Torque: Ladies get ready to rumble!
By John Dickinson on 8th Mar 17
THIS Sunday, March 12, sees the opening round of the six-round ACU Acklams Beta Ladies and Girls British Trials Championship with the enthusiastic North Berks club in charge.
And at the head of the healthy entry of 38, who will contest no fewer than nine classes, is reigning and three-times British Champion Emma Bristow.
Sherco-mounted Emma is also of course three-times and reigning Ladies World Champion and starts as red-hot favourite to add to her Championship tally.
Sadly missing from the Ladies Champs in 2017 is eight-times British Champ Becky Cook who has moved her competition career to mountain biking and is relishing the new challenge.
And Donna Fox has switched classes (see separate story) so Emma will be facing some new challengers this year.
There will be six contenders for Emma's crown and first of all it is fantastic to be welcoming back Nikita Smith, who has fought so hard to come back from the injuries she received in a road accident back in 2014.
Nikita will be joined by the ever-improving Louise Alford, by Victoria Payne and Jess Bown with Jess having competed in the Scottish Six Days, the Scott, as well as World Championship events.
Alicia Robinson and Gabby Whitham move up from Girls A for 2017. As Alicia won the 2016 Youth A Championship she's been allowed to move up but as she is still a Youth she'll be unable to score points. Alicia is looking forward to the challenge, though, and also to gain the experience that she can put to good use when she can score Ladies Championship points.
The Girls' classes are all up for grabs and anyone could win, it will all unfold during the season.
Alice Minta and Ella Doherty both move from Youth B to Youth A so that will be a good battle all year.
Kaytlyn Adshead moves from Youth C to Youth B.
The venue for the opening round will be North Berks famous Seymours Arena which is absolutely perfect for the Ladies and Girls.
The compact venue makes for good sections and good spectating with all hazards within a short walk.
There will be a catering van on site on Sunday and camping is available from Saturday afternoon.
Seymours Arena is near Aston Tirrold, Oxon with postcode OX11 9AW.
First rider away on Sunday at 10.31am is Ladies Championship contender Victoria Payne from Bristol.
