> POSTED: 20/8/18 21:18

The twelth North Berks Supertrial took place this weekend and what an amazing weekend it was

Our premier event just seems to get better and better each year. We had ALL of the country's top riders join us over the weekend, the weather on Saturday was slightly overcast with a ten minute rain shower, but we were basking in sunshine for most of the day on Sunday.

The Youth riders were first out of the blocks on Saturday and young Harry Turner lead the field away at 10am sharp, followed by Joe Faunthorpe and Jake Eley all riding on a no awards basis due to late entry. There were 11 riders in the youth class and the win was taken by local South Midland rider Gus Oblein on his SPJ Sherco 125 who completed the two laps of the Arena dropping just 30 marks which was an inspired ride. Charlie Smith took second place on the podium on 36 followed by North Berks Club member Brett Harbud on 51 fresh off his recent trip to Italy, Germany and Belgium. Fourth was Ben Dignan down from Fort William in the Highlands. Josh Wright took fifth on 68 and Will Clark, another local South Midlander took a well deserved sixth on 80. Adam Juffs just two marks behind Will on 82 was in seventh place. JST Gas Gas rider Jack Dance was sadly a non-starter due to an injured hand but he was watching the action closely and I'm sure he was wishing he was fit to ride.

The ladies B route riders started directly after the youths and followed them up to section one which was relatively straight-forward to ease them into the trial. Alice Minta took the top spot on her Inch Perfect Beta 125 for the loss of just 12 marks, Katlyn Adshead, second on 23 with Beth Dunning close behind on 29. Surrey based Jazz Hammond took fourth place dropping 33. Jennifer Stephen next down the placings on 44, just two marks ahead of Sophie Bailey on 46. Charlotte Kimber retired after lap one sadly.

The ladies A route qualifying laps were won by the British and World Champion Emma Bristow completing the two laps with the loss of no marks, riding immaculately as usual. Donna Fox had a great ride on her 4RT dropping just 9 marks. Jess Bown on her BVM sponsored Scorpa took third place for the loss of 18 marks. Hannah Styles next on the Vertigo dropping 32. A little way back on 65 was Victoria Payne closely followed by Gabby Whitham on 68. Sadly our Alicia Robinson had to pull out after just two or three sections after upsetting an injury she sustained whilst out in Europe a week or so ago and just couldn't hold on to the bike, she went to A&E to get checked out and was told it was muscle injury so needs to rest up for a while.

The six A class riders from the qualifying laps then went on to the final. Stu had been round the course tightening up the sections to test them further. They finished in exactly the same order as the qualifying laps. We did take a few marks off Emma in the final – she eventually finished for the loss of seven marks which again is amazing on the incredibly technical sections at Seymours. Donna finished on 23 and Jess on 28. Thanks to 'Brownie' for presenting the trophies to the winners.

That was day one event done and dusted, the North Berks team went out again that evening taking down the days section markers and making sure the Red and Blues were all set and ready to test the men the following day, 'The Waterfall' had been cleaned and filled ready, always a massive challenge for the riders, it is a daunting section when you stand at the foot and look up, even for these top class riders.

Sunday dawned rather overcast and blustery, the riders were due to start at 10.30, Stu took the riders round for th section inspection at about 9.30 which is always interesting, the sections are massive – climbs and rock steps that the ordinary club rider wouldn't even consider seems to be nothing for these guys, it has to be seen to be believed.

The two qualifying laps were run over nine sections and they were given three and a half hours to complete them. Jack Price took the win for the loss of just 11 marks. The country's current top rider James Dabill was only one mark behind on 12, 10 of those marks lost on the two visits to the waterfall, which seems to be Dibs achilles heal for some reason. The flambouyant Toby Martyn on his Mont 300 took third place, one mark back on 13 who was just one mark ahead of our Spanish guest rider Marc Riba on 14 who looked like he was really enjoying the technical Arena sections. The Peace brothers took fifth and sixth place on their JST Inch Perfect Gassers, Dan dropping 16 and Jack 24. Jack Sheppard was next on the MRS Sherco on 31 followed by 2016 Supertrial winner Iwan Roberts on the TRS on 39. Andy Chilton and local South Midlander Sam Haslam dropped 41 marks each, than came TRS mounted Ross Danby on 46, Tom Minta on 52 and Dec Bullock on 53. Wiggy was lower down the class than usual, after an injury he has had very little time on the bike this year, Alexz dropped 58 marks over the two laps. Young Billy Green was next dropping 62 marks. Connor Hogan from Australia took 16th spot dropping 75 marks, Hugo Jervis was four marks back on 79 and young Oliver Smith three marks behind on 82.

Once the qualifying laps had been completed the riders were given a well earned rest whilst the final lap sections were yet again tightened up and tweaked by the North Berks team headed by Stu Robinson who knows just how to test these top class riders to the max.

The top six riders from the qualifying laps went through to the final, so this was promising to be a tight finish as all six really were on their game and pushing for the win. Jack Price was the last one away as he had come out on top on the qualifying laps.

Section one which again was relatively easy for these guys was cleaned by all six riders, once completed they all moved on to section two, the famous 'Waterfall'. Toby launched up but got his timing wrong and fived it, Dibs got up for a two and Jack Peace had a steadying dab half way up, the rest of the field cleaned it which was impressive because the markers had been moved in slightly to drive the riders up the left hand side which is harder.

Then it was on to 'The Staircase', Jack Peace was first to attempt it, he didn't quite make the end gate in the allotted one and a half minute time allowance so was given a five by the minder. Dan Peace was also given a five here as it was observed his front wheel went outside a marker on the massive rock step just before the ends cards. Marc Riba, Jack Price and Toby Martyn all dropped one here, Dibs was the only one to get out of the section for a clean.

Section four took another five off Dan Peace. Marc Riba, Jack Peace and Toby Martyn got through this one for a clean, but Dibs and JP had a single dab each. Section five took another five off of Dan Peace together with Toby who again got his timing slightly wrong on the final rocky ascent. Jack Price was the only rider to get out on a clean the other three riders taking single dabs.

Only the top four riders were to continue in the final from this point. It was sad to see Toby and Dan having to drop out after their impressive riding over the course of the day, but that's the rules.

The four riders went on to tackle the refreshed 'Woodyard' – some of the massive tree trunks had gone rotten over the years so had been replaced this year, the final vertical tree trunk was still good for use – this is always a stopper. All four of the finalists made a great effort here but none were successful this year.

Jack Peace had some bike issues so had to rush off and sort them out and was playing catch-up, he dropped a five at the next section, the other three had got through on ones. Section eight took fives off three riders, again it was a large combination of steps just before the ends that caught them out. Dibs was the only one up here with spot on timing. Marc Riba and Jack Price fived section 9 which had a huge jump to the ends cards. Jack Peace got out for one and Dibs recorded another clean which made it a foregone conclusion, he had kept his crown as the Supertrial champion for 2018, the other three riders couldn't catch him even if he dropped five at the last.

So it was on to the last section which hadn't been used throughout the day, Jack Peace fived it, but sadly was well out of the running by now and took fourth on a final lap score of 28 marks lost. Jack Price dropped one here which gave him third spot on 19. The popular Spanish rider Mark Riba one mark ahead took second place dropping a total of 18 marks, which left James Dabill finishing on 11 marks lost for the lap! James always seems to be able to step his game up in the final, it really is awesome to see. Well done Dibs!

So that was another successful Supertrial over. A massive well done to Gus Oblein, Emma Bristow and James Dabill for taking the win in each class, but congratulations to each and every rider that rode over the weekend, you all put on an amazing show of skill and shear commitment attempting these huge sections. So thank you all for coming and taking part, the club hope you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you again next year, because no doubt we will be running it again in 2019, watch this space...

As usual there are numerous people to thank, firstly all of our partners and sponsors who we are indebted to. Thank you to our generous landowners who are kind enough to let us use the Arena, Mr & Mrs Seymour for the Arena itself and the car park fields and Well Barn Estates for the pits area. Thank you to the trade stands including the Burger and Ice Cream vans for taking the time and effort we hope it was a successful weekend for you too. Thank you to DDA for the supply of new marker pegs, sorry mate you got missed out of the programme.

A big Thank you to Dave Willoughby, Julian Wigg and Steve Saunders for their work on the microphone over the weekend, it wouldn't be the same without your knowledgeable commentating. Thank you too to Steve for presenting the men with their trophies.

Thank you as usual to all of the observers over the course of the two days, again we are indebted to you as always. Jimmy for scrutineering, Pat and Pat on the gate, Dunc on the front gate, the raffle ticket team including Mr Dodd on the raffle mic, you crazy man. Secretary of the meeting Claire for dealing with the paperwork and entries. Sue and Geoff for keeping tabs on the score and getting the final score sheets out for publication. Finally, thanks to all of the committee and club members that put in the huge effort to make this event the great success it is, too many people to mention, but you know who you are. I apologise if I've missed anyone.

There are more pictures on the Gallery page.

We hope you all enjoyed your weekend with us.

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