Edward Mowat number 21
18 Sept saw Bracken Rocks in Derbyshire host the final round of the 2021 Midlands OSET and Minichamps Junior Trials Championships hosted by Mansfield Maun Trials Club. This championship has grown every year since Mansfield first started hosting rounds and this year was no exception, with 41 riders making the journey to this world class venue in Derbyshire.
The day started bright and sunny and the course setters planned out eight technical sections - with four routes to each - to test the best young riders in each class.
The riders set off at midday and got straight into the action at the first two sections situated just off the car park. Bracken is famous for its rocks but the course setters managed to incorporate slippery roots and mud into the sections to test the throttle control and balance of the riders. Section three was set to test the mettle of the top class riders with a freshly cut out steep bank incorporating a rock step to climb before turning back down the steep descent - the top riders using the rock step to jump the final couple of feet to the top!
Yellow route winner Harry Craig cleaned all three of the first sections on his way to a commanding victory in the Yellow class, 8 points ahead of Mellisa Helliwell in second and 10 under Finaly Dixon in third with 21 marks overall.
Eddie Jubb Number 9
Section Four brought some respite from the blazing sunshine for the riders as they dropped down below the holly trees, but the cooler conditions brought more slippery conditions for the riders to tackle, this section claimed heavily from Red route winner Finley Samual taking 13 of his 26 point total ahead of Matthew Hann in second on 31 and Joshua Tate on 44 marks for the day.
Matthew Hann number 86
Section Five saw the riders climbing up back into the sunshine for a deceptively tricky ride that looked easier than it rode!
Section Six showed what Bracken is famous for, as the riders negotiated a dry, rocky climb that culminated in a big slab to conquer. This section proved to be the test of the White route as it was the only section to take marks from Jamie Spencer who took first place in this class on 6 overall with Fenella Wood in second place with 20 and third place going to Daisy Brooks with a valiant 21 overall.
The path leading to Section Seven gave the riders a chance to catch their breath before facing the deceptively tricky section that ended with a big rock step for the top class. This step proved no match for Blue route winner Edward Mowat though as he cleaned it on every attempt.
The lap finished on Section Eight - and this partially downhill, rocky ride proved to be far more technical than first expected, with slippery rocks and tight turns taking marks from the best.
Freya Harries number 10
Everyone had a great day's competition and the final presentations were supported by all the competitors and parents in the afternoon sunshine where the silverware glinted on the podium.
Manfield Maun are planning to run the championship again next year and would like to thank all the volunteers who help out and allow us to run these great events. All meetings can be watched on Youtube by searching Midlands OSET and Minichamps Junior Trials Championships.
Toby Twigg number 7
