Tuesday August 30, 2011 at 11:36am
This weekend some of Britain’s best male and female trials riders made the trip to Tanvald in the Czech Republic. The event was held under wet conditions on the first day and drying conditions on the Second day.
In the Women’s class Twenty-year-old Emma Bristow continued her good form from last weekend cleaning six hazards on her first lap. After fiving section eleven the Ossa teamster ended her first tour on twenty marks and in third place. Whilst Emma Bristow was enjoying a relatively incident free first lap, the same could not be said for countrywoman Becky Cook. After dropping maximum marks at sections two and three, the Sherco teamster's day went from bad to worse at the seventh hazard. Whilst attempting to tackle the greasy zone Cook slipped and injured her knee, eventually closing her first lap on twenty-four marks. Bristow made good use of the drying sections, finishing her second and final lap on sixteen marks and to claim a well-deserved second place. Despite still struggling with her injured knee, Cook remained focused and went on to take third spot, two behind Bristow.
In the Junior European Championship, Jitsie Beta factory rider Jack Sheppard added the 2011 UEM Junior Trial European Championship to his name. The eighteen-year old from Suffolk sealed his latest international title by winning the sixth and final round of the Euro series. Sheppard went into the deciding encounter six points in front of his nearest rival Saleri and knowing that third place on the day would be sufficient for him to take his second crown in as many weeks. However like a true champion Jack signed off in style with yet another victory, making it four wins in six rounds.
Finally in the European Men’s Championship, Jack Challoner, Miton Top Trial Team Beta, added the 2011 European Championship to his ever growing list of international titles. Having won the Youth World Championship in 2008, the Junior World Championship in 2010, the Relentless Energy endorsed rider from Halifax claimed the 2011 European Championship after a spectacular win at the final round held in Tanvald, Czeck Republic this weekend. Just seven marks separated nearest championship rival Alfredo Gomez (SPA - Montesa), Challoner knew a top four finish would secure him the title, after three consecutive wins at the start of the championships gave him a strong advantage.