ROB SHEPHERD HONDA

Despite the event running on the 6th and 7th of October it was still a case of hot stuff in the autumn months in Spain for the 14th running of the Robregordo & Horcajo International Two-Day Classic Trial which took place in the mountains north of Madrid, organised by the Sotobike Motor Club. A total of 170 riders from S pain, Great Britain, Germany and Italy took part to enjoy the 26-kilometre route which took in 20 hazards on both days. The event was also a points-scoring one for those riders competing in the Spanish Classic Championship. Amongst the 170 riders were Manuel Soler and Jaime Subira, two well-known riders not just for their riding skills but also their ability as development riders. As in the majority of classic events in Spain there were three levels in the sections for a total of five categories: Clubman Pre-75, Clubman Twin-shock; Expert Pre-80, Expert Twin-shock and Masters. The two days of action were ridden in very different conditions. Day one started at 10.00am and day two at 9.00am, with a six-hour time limit plus an additional 30 minutes where the riders would lose a mark a minute before exclusion after the half hour. The day one weather was too warm for the time of the year with temperatures around 25ºc and very dry, humid conditions of around 22%.

On day two the temperature dropped to 6ºC and humidity went up to 70%! As it turned out the Master category was won by young rider Oscar Mill followed by his father Pere Antón Mill and Mike Antequera. In the Expert Twin-shock the winner was Bertran Martínez Penalver ahead of Manel Campoy and Miquel Ramon. Alberto Zarate won the Pre-80 category followed by Javier Aldecoa and Migui Garcia. The Clubman winner was Vicente Miguel, with Fernando Cabre second and Vicente Rios third. The Pre-75 class winner was Alberto Selma followed Javier Cruz and Rafael Asins. The presentation took place just after the trial, and the new chairman of the Spanish Federation and Trials rider Manuel Casado presented the awards on the podium.