Boxing Day Trial 26th Dec 2005

Other Years: 2004, 2003

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DOWNHILL mountainbike ace Rob Breakwell showed the Western Centre what it has been missing with a consumate display of spectacular tricks which saw him grab victory in the final centre championship round of the year.

Over three laps of 14 sections set out by West Glos and Dean Forest MCC at Bixslade Quarry near Coleford, Breakwell's all out approach paid off at almost every attempt. His only maximum five mark score was recorded on section eight's outsized rocks, where he managed a clean ride on the next lap.

With re-crowned centre champion Simon Welch sitting out the event, the large crowd of spectators were denied a head-to-head over the sections which had it all – rocks, mud, steep climbs and cambers.

But former centre champion Steve Workman, now Sherco-mounted, was only four marks behind, also losing just one five.

Breakwell was the only rider to record less than a five on section one on the first lap, with a three, then two cleans. Workman laboured hard to overcome his maximum on his first attempt at that section but could not quite claw it back.

That John Luff chalked up twice Workman's score for third emphasised just how tough the sections were.

On home turf Ben Bowkett took the youth A award on 44 with a mature performance.

The bulk of the 49-strong field rode the alternative route, which had no overall award for the winner.

It was headed up by the mature sage Nigel Tomkins and lightning fast Ben Bishop, who dashed round all three laps while many were on their first. Both were on three marks lost, accounted for by three individual dabs. Bishop was also making a rare diversion from the downhill mountainbike scene and another who trials sporadically, Shane Gunn, dusted off his Yamaha Majesty and his old skills to record 15 for the best twin shock award.

Youngster Lucy Payne lost four for best intermediate. Only a dab in section 13 on the last lap made the difference.

Thanks to all observers and Forest Enterprise for making the event possible.

Results Summary

• Premier: Rob Breakwell (Gas Gas 280), 17 marks lost
• 2nd: Steve Workman (Sherco 290), 21.
• 3rd : John Luff (Gas Gas 280), 42.
• Youth A: Ben Bowkett (Beta 125), 44.
• Alternative route
• Novice: Ben Bishop (Gas Gas 250), 3.
• Over 40: Nigel Tompkins (Sherco 250), 3.
• Inter: Lucy Payne (Beta 200), 4.
• Youth B: Alex Hall (Beta 125), 6.
• Twin Shock: Shane Gunn (Yamaha 250), 15.
• Hangover Award for last finisher: Ben Falconer (Gas Gas 250), 86.