Wyegate Trial 25th March 2007 Report
Report By Ben Falconer
AFTER 18 years of trying, Yoshi Adams will at last see his name etched on the prestigious Wyegate Cup, after taking victory by a single mark in the annual Wyegate Long Distance Trial on Sunday.
The Caerphilly kid lost five marks over 31 sections, which was good enough to take victory by the narrowest of margins.
With Rob Trebble just one mark behind, and Keith Wells and Ben Falconer trailing by two marks, Adams was under pressure all day.
He chose to make it hard on himself by taking a dab at the second section of the day in Forge Wood, then lost the rest of his marks at Old Hendre in sections 12 and 13.
He dabbed on section 12's greasy bank, then like virtually every other rider, took a three mark loss on the next section.
He then completed the second half of the trial clean on observation which left no opportunity for any other challengers to claw marks back.
Coming out of Old Hendre, Trebble had headed Adams by a mark, but a dab on Ty Fry's rocks, and a two at Blackbird Lane cost him.
An unfortunate five mark loss for what surely would have been at least a three, on section 13 may have upset Wells' rhythm, as he went on to dab at Old Hendre's last section (15) and Nannies Lane (17).
He rescued his day though by cleaning Blackbird Lane's mud, Pant-Glas steps, and Ty Fry's boulders with great style. Falconer fell foul of Blackbird Lane and scrabbled out for a two. Lapses in concentration at Old Hendre's section 14 and Buckle Wood accounted for a mark lost at each, so he and Wells were separated only by the timed special test tie breaker.
The trial is renowned for old-style sections and two of them put paid to two other top runners' chances of success.
Ty Fry accounted for three marks from Andy Leahy to bump his score up to 11, with Mike Husband and former winner David Eeles dropping the same at section 26, Pant-Glas, to leave them on 12.
Although Old Hendre's section 13 had almost every rider paddling out for a three at best, it was riders of older machines who fared better. Pre-65 sprung class winner Paul Farley cajoled his AJS 350 through for a superb two mark loss, as did Ian Wixon aboard a Matchless. Nick Worgan was the only rider on a modern machine to get through for a two. Goff Hannam overcame a painful rib injury to take the John Price Cup for best working club member.
For all of the 100-strong entry, the emphasis was on enjoyment in the 24th running of the event by West Glos and Dean Forest MCC.
Starting from Berry Hill RFC, the route took in surfaced and unsurfaced roads and much private land in the Wye Valley and Usk Vale.
Many thanks to landowners, observers, marshals, the police and local authorities for their invaluable assistance.