Trials Torque: Fry up for S3 title defence
By John Dickinson on 8th Feb 17
SOUTHERN star James Fry sets out to defend his ACU S3 Parts National Trials Championship title at round one of the 2017 series, The Colmore Cup on Sunday.
After winning every round he contested last year before opting out of the final event with his title in the bag, the Sherco Teamster is again the hot favourite.
But with a completely new-look Colmore, organised as ever by the Stratford-on-Avon MCC, anything could happen.
No fewer than FOUR new groups have never had a bike over them.
So with that and changing weather conditions it's difficult to know whether the subs will improve or deteriorate. If rain materialises, then it just won't pay to hang around as the steep slopes and cambers of Kiftsgate and Jones Gorse could get to be much more difficult.
Conversely the loose climbs of Weston Wood and Railway will no doubt get a better, albeit more slippery, up their rooted climbs and twisting turns.
As well as new sections there's a shortened 25-mile course this year so darkness shouldn't be an issue, particularly as the first and last groups at Slatters and Thompsons Falls are but a mile from the start and finish.
In the non-championship Expert class last year's Colmore Cup winner Sam Haslam will have to shake off the challenges of TRS ace Ross Danby – fresh from his Vic Brittain win – and Sam's own Gas Gas team-mates Dan Thorpe and John Shirt.
On the S3 Parts Championship route local lads Buster Regan, Ben Sprigg and Steve Harris will all be studiously watching Fry's lines – or should be if they want to beat him.
In the new-for-2017 National Clubmans Championship it's anyone's guess but expect local centre stalwarts John Cowley and brother Tony to be up there on the slippery terrain which always typifies the Colmore Cup.
Beverages and bacon rolls will be on offer to all at the start and finish, which will be at the College Arms at Quinton, near Stratford on Avon, CV37 8SG.
The action starts at 9am.
