This weekend the Keedwell ACU Trial GB Series takes in two
rounds with a visit to the North East of the Country at Shaftoe Crags near
Morpeth for the third and fourth round of the championship.
Clerk of the Course, Paul
Battensby has arranged variations on approximately twenty sections to be used
over the two days on an anti - clockwise course which totals about three
kilometres per lap.
Just under fifty riders will tackle the standard, three lap,
twelve section course each day. Unfortunately, the reigning Champion and World
number seven, James Dabill is not competing in the whole series this year, but
already the “young guns” who are queuing up to replace him, are making an
exciting championship.
Jack Price currently heads the standings in the ACU Trial GB
Class, but only by a single point from the exuberant Toby Martyn. Dan Peace
currently sits in third, whilst a good
result at the St David’s Trial puts Billy Green in fifth as Dabill, currently
in fourth, slips down the standings.
Current ACU Trial 2 Champion, Ross Danby took over the lead
at the second round with Sam Connor, Sam Haslam, Richard Sadler and Dec Bullock
all looking to de throne the TRRS rider.
In the ACU Trial Expert Class, there is a three way tie at the
top of the points standings. Maestag’s Lloyd Price holds the red plate thanks
to his win at round two, but shares the lead with first round winner Chris Stay
and the ever consistent Dan Thorpe.
Three riders are fighting for the ACU Trial 125 class honours
and again it is tight at the top. With a win and a second each, Ben Dignan and
Brett Harbud currently share the spoils, with Irish regular Adam Harris ready
to pounce in third.
Our top stars will be riding this event in between two World
Championship events in Italy and Japan.
We would expect them to be at the peak of their form and
predicting a winner in any class is not easy. With three riders currently
sharing the lead in the ACU Trial Expert Class, two in the ACU Trial 125
battle, whilst just one point separates the top two in the premier ACU Trial GB
championship, every mark lost will be vital.
At 3.45pm on Sunday afternoon, it will be close to the
halfway point in the series and the points on the table this weekend will be
crucial in all four classes to all riders who have their eyes on a British
title, which all four classes hold.
The action on both days will be on the rugged moorland with a
three kilometre course which will utilise the same direction on both days. On
Sunday there will be more sections on big rock faces of the westerly ridge,
which are all within walking distance from the start. For spectators who venture down to the woods
at the furthest point of the circuit, it is recommended that these are viewed
from the top by following the signs.
Having already visited the South East and South Wales for the
first two rounds, the aim for this event is to make the ACU Trial 2 sections
slightly easier and less in numbers of the ACU Trial GB route. These guys have
to turn in for normal work on Monday mornings and the aim is to test their
skills to the maximum without including some large rock faces which Paul has
plotted for the ACU Trial GB class.
The actions starts at 9.30am on both days and the route to
the start will be signposted from the junction of the A696 and B6524 at Belsay.