TRIAL EXPERT BRAD BEATS THE CLOCK

The same names keep appearing at the top of the results in this hugely popular class that always boasts the highest entry level of the four ACU British Championship classes. So many want to win — and are capable of it — in a mixture of youth and experience, and as a stepping stone to moving into the higher classes in the ACU British Championships, it is ideal. In this case, the battle again also came down to the clock, with just three marks covering the top three podium positions. As it happened, the best observation score did not secure the win in what was, once again, a highscoring fight for victory.

Article: Trials Media

It is ironic that the top three finishers were all quite spread out in the starting ballot and that both eventual winner Brad Bullock and fourth-placed Cory Dubik chose to ride the first lap at the head of the entry as second-placed finisher Dan Thorpe started a little later.

Easy Opener

Section one would prove a much easier opening section than the other routes. Many clean riders were recorded, as Dan Thorpe and Cory Dubik had steadying single-mark losses. The second section was a different entity, and the best effort for the three laps came from Brad Bullock, with his single-mark loss on the opening lap.

In section four, the real action began, with five and six also taking no prisoners. But, once again, it was the first lap where the best effort came from, on four, with George Gosden’s single-mark effort the best by far.

Section five witnessed nothing better than a three, and the highlight of section six was a one-mark loss from Dubik on the Vertigo. As the lap closed, Gosden held a narrow lead on 19 marks lost, with local rider Jonny Starmer next on 22, along with Brad Bullock on the same marks. It was a case of push and shove to find a way through many sections, with the event proving a battle of the fittest.

All To Play For

Bullock’s second lap of 19 matched the one of Gosden on his first lap for the best of the trial and pulled him right back into contention for the win. However, Gosden’s loss of 31 left him with much work to do on the final lap with a total of 50 as Thorpe kept in touch on a total of 48 compared to Bullock’s leading score of 41. Conscious of the time element, the leading riders began to rush on their last lap, and the scores started to go up as time penalties came into play.

At the finish, the best on observation was Gosden on 74 marks lost, but with nine time penalties, he would be pushed down to third. Dan Thorpe took second place with an observation score of 82 and no time penalties, but the winner, Brad Bullock, just made it home with an observation score of 75 and five on time for a total of 80. In fourth position and showing good early-season form was Cory Dubik, followed by Jonny Starmer in fifth and Great Britain’s FIM Ladies World Champion Emma Bristow in sixth.

Trial Expert Championship

ROUND ONE: HOOKWOOD TRIALS CENTRE, 12 MARCH 2023

RESULTS: 1: Brad Bullock (Beta) 80; 2: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 82; 3: George Gosden (Beta) 83; 4: Cory Dubik (Vertigo) 88; 5: Jonny Starmer (Beta) 108; 6: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 113; 7: Sam Bee-Croft Penny (TRRS) 114; 8: Joseph Collins (Beta) 115; 9: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 117; 10: Joe Snelling (GASGAS) 125; 11: Ben Morphett (Montesa) 126; 12: Samuel Woolridge (Vertigo) 127; 13: Kurt Brain (Beta) 133; 14: Ashley Newbery (TRRS) 133; 15: Oliver Sharp (GASGAS) 133.

POSITIONS: 1: Brad Bullock (Beta) 20 + 1* = 21; 2: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 17; 3: George Gosden (Beta) 15 + 1* =16; 4: Cory Dubik (Vertigo) 13; 5: Jonny Starmer (Beta) 11; 6: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 10; 7: Sam Bee-Croft Penny (TRRS) 9; 8: Joseph Collins (Beta) 8; 9: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 7; 10: Joe Snelling (GASGAS) 6; 11: Ben Morphett (Montesa) 5; 12: Samuel Woolridge (Vertigo) 4; 13: Kurt Brain (Beta) 3; 14: Ashley Newbery (TRRS) 2; 15: Oliver Sharp (GASGAS) 1.

*One extra championship point for the best lap on observation.