THORPE THRILLER
With the highest entry of all the four 2022 ACU British Championship classes, finding a winner in Trial Expert was always going to be hard to predict. Brad Bullock (Beta) stole the glory in round one before Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) came fighting back in round two, leaving the title fight wide open.
George Gosden (Beta), based on the Isle of Wight, made the third round his own with a clear, convincing win as Thorpe and Emma Bristow fought for the remaining podium positions.
On the abundance of rocks found on the hillside at Addingham Moorside overlooking Silsden, it was a female who led the way home. An elated
Emma Bristow put in an excellent effort to claim the win in front of an on-form Charlie Smith (Vertigo), who was followed home by Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRRS) as Thorpe was pushed down to fourth. Only one championship point separated Thorpe and Bristow as they ventured south for the Devon double header at Peter Tavey and Newton Abbot.
Two very different venues would produce just one winner,
Dan Thorpe. In the wet and wind at the exposed Peter Tavy, he would use his many years of experience to work his way through the demanding sections parting with marks where necessary to
produce a clear win in front of a determined George Gosden who finished second. Smith was again third as Bristow slipped down to finish fifth.
Round six on the steep wooded climbs found at Kelly’s Farm produced another win from Thorpe as Bristow came storming back to take second and Smith finished third, as this time it was Gosden who dropped off the pace to finish fifth behind Brad Bullock. Emma Bristow needs a strong performance in Yorkshire at round five if she is going to become the first female rider to take an adult ACU British Championship title. Still, Dan Thorpe will undoubtedly look to add to his past championship wins.
ROUND 3, TORVER
RESULTS: 1: George Gosden (Beta) 20; 2: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 32; 3: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 36; 4: Tyler Rendall (Vertigo) 45; 5: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 49; 6: Charlie Smith (Vertigo) 51; 7: Brad Bullock (Beta) 54; 8: John Sunter (Montesa) 61; 9: Danny Gamble (TRRS) 72; 10: Brett Harbud (Beta) 73.
ROUND 4, SILSDEN
RESULTS: 1: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 18; 2: Charlie Smith (Vertigo) 21; 3: Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRRS) 27; 4: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 27; 5: George Gosden (Beta) 28; 6: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 32; 7: Tyler Rendall (Vertigo) 34; 8: Brad Bullock (Beta) 38; 9: Joseph Collins (Beta) 41; 10: Corey Dubik (Vertigo) 43.
ROUND 5, PETER TAVY
RESULTS: 1: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 34; 2: George Gosden (Beta) 57; 3: Charlie Smith (Vertigo) 63; 4: Tyler Rendall (Vertigo) 72; 5: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 74; 6: Corey Dubik (Vertigo) 76; 7: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 81; 8: Cameron Brice (Beta) 81; 9: Brad Bullock (Beta) 81; 10: Joseph Collins (Beta) 85.
ROUND 6, NEWTON ABBOT
1: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 16; 2: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 22; 3: Charlie Smith (Vertigo) 23; 4: Brad Bullock (Beta) 23; 5: George Gosden (Beta) 27; 6: Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRRS) 31; 7: Tyler Rendall (Vertigo) 33; 8: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 35; 9: Corey Dubik (Vertigo) 41; 10: Joseph Collins (Beta) 45.
2022 ACU BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 6 OF 8 ROUNDS
POSITIONS: 1: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 110; 2: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 96; 3: George Gosden (Beta) 86; 4: Charlie Smith (Vertigo) 79; 5: Brad Bullock (Beta) 70; 6: Tyler Rendall (Vertigo) 61; 7: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 54; 8: Corey Dubik (Vertigo) 38; 9: Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRRS) 34; 10: Joseph Collins (Beta) 26.