TRIALS RIDERS UNITE
An invitation from my old enduro friend ‘Lord’ Steve Ireland to the final Tough One in late November 2021, in the demanding Nantmawr Quarry, was one not to turn down. It would be the last running of what had quickly become an iconic competition in the extreme enduro world when Steve first ran it in 2005 under his WOR events banner. Some of the top off-road riders in the world have taken on the challenge of the rock-strewn quarry, with Graham Jarvis and David Knight taking six wins each over the 15 years it has run. The Michelin winner’s trophy became the ‘One to Win’, and the event has seen some tremendous action fighting for the victory over the years. On a very cold Sunday, the two classes, the Pro and Expert, witnessed a top five full of ex-trials riders as they united to put on a fitting final for the event.
FEET-UP
Some of the earlier events finished in total darkness. However, this was a new experience in the UK, and as the popularity of the event grew, so did the crowds.
With a vested interest in how the trials riders were getting on in the enduro world, I visited the event on various occasions over its 15-year history. Its five winners have all come from the feet-up world of motorcycle trials, and this was no different at the final event as the top five in both classes was made up of riders who had moved to the fast world of enduro.
2021 TOUGH ONE
RESULTS — PRO: 1: Billy Bolt (Husqvarna); 2: David Knight (KTM); 3: Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna); 4: Jack Spencer (Beta); 5: Jack Price (GASGAS). RESULTS — EXPERT 1: Ross Danby (Beta); 2: Reece Gazzard (Sherco); 3: Tom Minta (KTM); 4: Rhys Davies (Husqvarna); 5: Ashton Brightmore (KTM).
TOUGH ONE WINNERS 2005–2021
DAVID KNIGHT: 2005–2008, 2010 and 2014 GRAHAM JARVIS: 2011–2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019. TADDY BLAZUSIAK: 2009
JONNY WALKER: 2015
BILLY BOLT: 2021