CHG Barrett Trailbike Trial 19 Feb 2006

report by Ben Falconer (Full results)

Round 1 – ACU Trailbike Trials Championship.

REIGNING champion Julian Page carried over his 100% win record from last year's championship, over 30 sections based around classic Cotswold trials country – but by the narrowest of margins.

He and John Bliss both carded four marks lost but Bliss blew the chance to topple Page by failing the timed special test tie-breaker.

Bliss had taken an early advantage, cleaning every one of Langley Hill's tough six sections, while Page registered a dab.

The lead pair broke away from the rest of the field here, as fives by Gordon Brown and Richard Parkyn could not be made up for later.

Dave Eeles, the only rider to share a victory with Page last year, gave away three marks at Langley too.

Those three did as best they could to catch-up at the next group, Farmcote, by going clean through all five sections, while Page dropped two and Bliss a three on the last section.

Maximums on that section also pushed Mike Husband, Keith Wells, Steve Venn and Andy Leahy out of the first class awards but they still picked up strong championship points.

The lead pair only lost one apiece at Middle Colgate Farm's first section, the only hazard not to be cleaned by any rider.

And it was here that Bliss failed the special test, relegating him to second overall.

Page's time of 18 seconds, however was the joint-fastest time of the day in the main trail class.

The previous week's wet weather made the going tougher than anticipated and the conditions stretched out the field of 73 starters.

David Johnson had a terrific ride to lose a relatively low 38 marks in the enduro class, underlined by the fact that second place went to Stuart Day on 61.

Third went to Dave Hemming, who scorched round the special test in 17 seconds to record the joint-fastest time of the day with Mike Wells.

Colin Hedges carded 21 in the pre-65 class with a typically controlled ride.

Thanks to all landowners and observers.

Main Results

(Full Results)