So far this year the British Enduro Championship has seen nothing but dry weather, that is until the Eppynt! Typical British summertime weather tried its best to dampen the 4th round of the championship. Rain through the week and then again on Sunday made the course and tests a little wet. The moto-x test in peaty ground on a hillside fared worst. Long deep ruts on nearly every corner made it almost impossible to ride quickly unless your surname was Knight or Edmondson. The cross country test held up well despite the rain but was extremely slippery.
The anticipated battle between David and Paul never came to much as David won both days with ease. Paul, out on a 400 for the first time, only received his bike on the tuesday before the event. The Eppynt tests weren't the best tests to learn how to ride a new bike! Look out for Paul at the Six-days once he has time to get used to the bike.
David on the other-hand excelled in the conditions which are clearly suited to him. In Spain this year David won both days outright in similar conditions. He has demonstrated that he is the best in the world when the ruts are long and deep. Juan Knight was third on both days and nearly beat Paul on Sunday. Paul went well on the final two tests of Sunday to rescue 2nd. He also won the John Deacon Memorial Award for best 4-stroke rider. I was a distant fourth on Saturday but a few too many crashes relegated me to 5th, I think, today behind Ed Jones who was best 125 on both days.
Gareth Andrew won the Experts on Saturday in the absence of Kevin Murray. On Sunday though Gareth stripped the threads on his sparkplug and was forced to retire leaving the door open for William Jones I think.
Darryl Bolter on the Rangers Huskysport 125 won the clubman class on Saturday and the championship with three days to go. Gizz Edmunds had his first day win on Sunday. I think both riders intend to move up to Expert for the Natterjack. Ricky Mair was third. Everybody seemed to enjoy the course and I reckoned the going to be the best I have riden all year especially the 1st check.
Crash of the weekend goes to 'Dim' Tim Lewis who, after laughing at me crashing in one of the many bogs, had a big one as he clipped something while riding near flatout across the hill. In typical Lewis fashion he just got up and laughed it off. Brilliant!