The YMSA held their first trial of the new year at a bleak and cold Dudwood farm last Sunday, 17th January. After heavy overnight snow and a freezing cold morning, the trial certainly lived up to its name. Due to the conditions, running the event was in doubt up to the last minute as several vans got stuck on the road up to the farm. As expected the YMSA crew manned up and the emergency gritting crew got the road passable and the event was on.
Although nominally a youth event, the starting line up for the expert class looked like the who's who of rising talent in the U.K. With the likes of Iwan Roberts, Toby Martyn, Jack Spencer, Luke Walker and Tom Minta all competing. 12 sections were set out to be ridden 3 times using the usual mix of the big rocks in the wood and the rest in the stream sections down the valley.
Riding up into A class for the first time, although still eligible as a B class competitor, Oliver Smith put in a solid ride to win the class in his debut on 79 marks lost. His best results were 3 cleans on section 7, a twisting climb over slippery boulders made worse by the snow, followed by two cleans and a 1 at section 6, the final test in the valley. He was followed home by Sam Rolls and Josh Shirtliff.
The B class saw Daniel Slack, current YMSA champion start the new season in fine style with a convincing win and best overall performance on the yellow route with a score of 32. Runner up was Mitch Brightmore. Daniel rode the 2 difficult sections numbers 2 and 3 comprising big rock steps, including a triple rock step on section 2 cleaning both all day, a feat which no one else managed. Special mention must go to Jack Dance riding up a class on his 80cc bike in to 3rd place against the 125s, an excellent performance in the conditions
The C class saw our two local national youth champions Harry Turner and Ashton Brightmore go head to head. Harry won a tight battle from Ash, with East Midlands champion Harry Bowyer in 3rd place. With promising new riders coming through at this level the future looks bright.
The D class was won comfortably by Jasper Fox from Amy Clark and Henry Proctor taking a fighting 3rd place on his elderly TY 80 Yamaha.
Making a welcome return to form after a nasty leg break last year, Alice Minta won the novice youth class from Charlie Rolls and Charlie Bawden, all beta mounted.
The experts class with the route set out at a level of many national events, saw the win go to the Welsh star Iwan Roberts. His rides on sections 3,4 and 8 for a loss of six marks with six cleans was magical to watch. In second place was Jack Spencer who just pipped Toby Martyn on the tie break.
The inter class riding the yellow route was won by regular southern based rider Jamie Millers who held off local pair Joe Spivey and Jess Bown. Without doubt this was the closest result of the day with 3 separated by just 7 marks at the finish.
The adult novice class saw Ian Margetts take a comfortable win on his recently recovered stolen machine. In second place was Tim Blackmore riding Barry Burton's immaculate 200 majesty, with Dan Burton in 3rd place wishing his dad would have let him ride the majesty instead of Tim.
The green route saw Matt Ramsay take his first win at YMSA, just pipping local veteran Mark Hallows who suffered a rear wheel puncture on his majesty which resulted in a succession of fives. Riding yet another ex Barry Burton machine was Martin Nelson in 3rd place riding a Pre-65 James.
RESULTS
A CLASS
1. Oliver Smith sherco 79 marks
2. Sam Rolls scorpa 111 marks
3. Josh Shirtliff sherco 136 marks
B CLASS
1. Daniel Slack M.R.S sherco 32 marks
2. Mitch Brightmore gas gas 71 marks
3. Jack Dance beta 101 marks
C CLASS
1. Harry Turner beta 39 marks
2. Ash Brightmore beta 67 marks
3. Harry Bowyer beta 92 marks
D CLASS
1. Jasper Fox oset 30 marks
2. Amy Clark beta 96 marks
3. Henry Proctor Yamaha 151 marks
YOUTH NOVICE
1. Alice Minta beta 45 marks
2. Charlie Rolls beta 55 marks
3. Charlie Bawden beta 69 marks
EXPERTS
1. Iwan Roberts beta 10 marks
2. Jack Spencer beta 16 marks (T.B)
3. Toby Martyn beta 16 marks
INTERS
1. Jamie Millers gas gas 45 marks
2. Joe Spivey sherco 51 marks
3. Jess Bown scorpa 52 marks
ADULT NOVICE
1. Ian Margetts ossa 10 marks
2. Tim Blackmore majesty 20 marks
3. Dan Burton gas gas 32 marks
GREEN ROUTE
1. Matt Ramsay gas gas 42 marks
2. Mark Hallows majesty 47 marks
3. Martin Nelson James 58 marks