Richard Timperley (GASGAS UK) was pushed all way, as he took the Expert win at Manchester 17 MCC annual Tower Charity Trial held at Sutton Common near Macclesfield. 118 riders entered split across Expert, 50/50, Clubmen & Easy routes with 3 laps of 15 sections for all but the easy route who completed 3 laps of 12.The sections were your traditional club trial sections with a something for everyone. A total reaching over £2000 was raised for The Rossendale Trust, a vital local charity in Macclesfield which provides supported living care to adults with learning & physical disabilities.
The Expert class saw twenty riders entered with a number of Gas Gas UK team riders in attendance including team boss John Shirt. Incidentally the top three positions were filled by Gas Gas team riders. Richard Timperley took top spot dropping 7.4 of those on a tricky section 3 which took a lot of marks from the experts. 2nd was British 125 champion Mitch Brightmore who was continuing his transition onto a bigger machine just 8 single dabs to narrowly miss out on victory. Completing the podium, Sam Yeomans who has had a brilliant start to 2019. Three 5s stopped his challenge for the win with a total of 17 but interestingly had the most cleans. Rounding out the top 6 Jordan Potter (Montesa) Corey Dubik (Beta) & Matt Dixon (Beta)
On the 50/50 Route twenty four riders rode 10 Clubmen sections & 5 Expert sections. It was a close fought affair with the first seven riders separated by 11 marks. Paul Bennett (Scorpa) used his years of experience to take an impressive win on 5 marks. 2nd Chris Brightmore (Montesa) who`s 3 on a twisty slippy section 5 on the opening lap hampered his chances of the win to finish the day on 7. Josh Atkinson (Montesa) rounding out the top three a couple of marks further back .
Thirty-six riders contested the Clubman route, a tie for the win and the top four separated by 2 marks. Taking the top spot by number of cleans was Phil Hulme (GasGas) Mark Timperley (Beta) both on 14. Third was Mr Consistent Andy Hipwell (Gas Gas) who was leading until section 8 on the last lap saw a 5 drop him down to third. Sam Atherton (BSA) preparing for the upcoming Scottish pre 65 had a good ride on the Bantam with 8 of the 16 marks dropped on aptly named section Captains crack, a challenging double stepped stream gulley.
Proving to be the most popular route was the easy route, thirty-eight riders tackling 12 sections. Paul Spivey (Sherco) on his return to action after a period on the sidelines took a fairly unchallenged win dropping six. A surprised 2nd was our very own Nick Stott (Gas Gas) on thirteen with Dave Aspinall (Gas Gas) rounding out the top 3.
Report Marty Hill