A PERFECT performance from Gavin Moore saw him crowned winner of the Wyegate long distance trial for an unprecedented successive third time.

Under pressure from one of the strongest entries in many years, the Swindon rider scored a clean ride, and crucially a faster special test time than Dave Renham, who also went clean on observation.

With plenty of grip on the 30 sections in the Lower Wye Valley and Monmouthshire, there was no room for error, and all apart from Moore and Renham dropped marks.

Key to the fortunes of many was the trial's 'no inspection' rule which meant riders had to make split second decisions on the hazards in front of them.

Glyn Moses took a dab on the first section of the day at Pingry Farm, then cleaned every section. Rob Faulkner's only error was a dab at Tregagle's challenging set of rock steps. Both posted faster special test times than Moore but those dabs put them out of contention for top spot.

2005 winner Julian Page lost his only mark of the day at the trial's most feared section, Pant Glas One's steps, as did pre-65 winner Ben Bowkett, while Anthony Griffiths' only dab was at a decidely tricky Devauden Lane.

That was also where Rob Treble also dabbed, to add to his only other one at Tynewydd Farm's twists and turns across a stream. He cleaned Pant Glas One with an impressive fighting ride which verged on disaster several times.

2007 winner Henry Bendall from Lydney was another rider with a tale of 'if only', because although he went quicker than Moore on the special test, he lost all of his three marks on a new section in Limekiln woods. His brother Joe cleaned the same section by taking on an almost vertical rock step to exit with great style. Henry Bendall headed up a gaggle of riders on three marks – Jerry Walters who put in a big ride on his Yamaha DT175, Nibbs Adams who won the event in 1994, 1995 and 1997 and took delivery of a Beta Alp 200 in an effort to add to that tally, and Dave Cottle who kept it neat and tidy most of the day.

That trio all lost one mark on Pant Glas Two, which offered riders a moment only to opt for an exit through a rut, or over jagged rocks, or along tree trunks.

The only other rider on three was Tony Coleman, who cleaned that section, but had already taken a steadying prod at Pant Glas One. He was part of a winning team from the south east. In an event well-populated by Gas Gas Pamperas, the Pamp3 of Coleman, Renham, and Mike Husband proved irrestible.

Another Bendall with another 'if only' tale was Jason, whose one mark ride was snuffed out by machine failure. With it went the chance of team honours for his Bendall Boys team alongside Joe and Henry. All three will represent the club in the 100th Scottish Six Days Trial in May.

The club would like to thank all those involved in the event for making it possible but particularly the observers and landowners.