Wigg n' peer
By John Watson on 31st Mar 11
A FIRST encounter with rugged North York Moors rockery saw Berkhamsted rider Alexz Wigg bring a smile to Sherco boss Malcolm Rathmell's face, riding the MRS Sherco to a hard fought win in a marvellous National Cleveland Trial.
Starting from Castleton, a Paul Wright inspired course of 36 sections had Wigg, Ian Austermuhle, Ross Danby, Shaun Morris and Jonathan Richardson locked in a thrilling battle until the final exciting climax unfolded on the final run home.
David Pye held young guns, Russ Rooksby, James Carr – returning from injury – and Tom Affleck at bay with a typical spirited ride to win Inter class and Roger Williams rode his TY Yamaha to Clubman victory over Paul Dennis and Glen Scholey.
With great weather, a top class entry for this Middlesbrough club classic and Clubmen first away there was no bother until Steve Pressick's twisting rock section on the deep valley side.
Dennis dabbed, as did Mark Buckworth and Colin Bailey. Richard Simpson, Graham Dalton, Nick Coleby messed up badly with scrappy threes.
Williams, limbering up for the Scottish on his pristine TY Yam, breezed through, cleaning everything on his first card. Scholey, also Yam-mounted, showed the style that made him almost unbeatable in his heyday, but he wouldn't be happy with two lost at Birks Wood and a one at Crossleyside.
The petrol check had Williams clean, Mark Doughty, Mark Cameron, two, Dennis, Simon Williamson and Steve Williams on three.
The crowd were well entertained by the top men parading their skills. None better than likeable Charnock man Shaun Morris. Morris, who has come so close to victory in this event, led at the halfway stage with a superb, concentrated ride of three dabs, with an absolutely, scintillating ride that was unmatchable on the stopper of a climb observed by Cec Tate's at Crossley Side. Only Dan Thorpe and George Morton fought through for three and two.
The awkward climb and exit at Clitherbecks grabbed fives off Josh sprintall, Phil Kettlewell, Will Reynolds and two off Morton. The two Richmond lads, Richardson and Sadler, were lapping it up and enjoying every minute. A five at Birks Wood spoilt a brilliant first card for Sadler. Wigg cleaned everything apart from his five at Crossley and led Austy and Richardson on seven.
Carr proved in cracking form on his Ossa to lead a strong Inter class at petrol check on two lost, but struggled in the latter stages to keep the momentum going. Rooksby was going well on three and Pye, but for trying a different line at Clithebecks where he slid to a stop, would have levelled with Carr. Matt Maynard, really fired up for this his first Cleveland, was up with the top Inters with seven lost.
Into Dale Head and the run around this beautiful valley head begins to sap the strength. Mick Dorgan said he wished he'd brought another lung as he began to tire. Derek Harland and John Bullen all looked weary. Rick Jackson sported more spark plugs than NGK, keeping a sick Beta going.
The first at the Dale Head group grabbed three off Morton, two off Morris as Austy and Danby dabbed. Only Wigg, Richardson, Kendrew and Sadler cleaned. Arriving at Stormy Hall, Wigg and Morris were level on six, after Morris needed one over the huge rock step of section 30. Danby and Austermuhle were on eight, Richardson nine. It was that close.
The double rock step of Pete Simpson's proved the decider and there was hearbreak for Morris with a five, likewise Morton, Kendrew and Sadler. Back wheels slipped away for Thorpe and Austy, but two dabs saw them through. Danby and Richardson took one each.
Then, with the crowd expectant, the indomitable Wigg rose to the challenge with a magnificent clean, the only one of the day, to great applause from an appreciative crowd.
NATIONAL CLEVELAND TRIAL
Castleton Pavilion, Castleton,
North Yorks (Middlesbrough & DMC)
Premier: Alexz Wigg (Sherco) 13 marks lost.
First Class Award: Ian Austermuhle (Beta) 15m/c.
Second Class Award: Ross Danby (Gas Gas) 15.
Intermediate: David Pye (Gas Gas) 18.
First Class Awards: Russ Rooksby (Gas Gas) 25, James Carr (Ossa) 26.
Second Class Awards: Tom Affleck (Sherco) 31. Martin Bayles (Beta) 32.
Clubman: Roger Williams (Yamaha) 4.
First Class Awards: Paul Dennis (Gas Gas) 7, Glen Scholey (Yamaha) 9, Mark Doughty (Sherco) 13, Colin Chapman (Gas Gas) 13, Simon Williamson (Sherco) 14.
Second Class Awards: Steve Williams (Gas Gas) 15, Mark Buckworth (Beta) 18, Colin Bailey (Beta) 20, Trevor Willans (Beta) 20.