In the absence of Toby Martyn who is still not fully fit to compete, Jack Peace (Sherco) took a major step forward to claiming the Trial GB title when he won round four which was held at the Inch Perfect Trials Centre in Lancashire yesterday. In one of the closest fought contest in recent years, the lead changed three times during the thirty six section course.
After the initial opening lap of twelve sections, Billy Green (Scorpa pictured) held a slender one mark advantage over Peace and Harry Hemingway (Beta). However, the eldest Hemingway brother then posted the best lap of the day with just eleven marks on his second tour to edge into a single point lead from Green and two ahead of the eventual winner as they sped off into the wooded area with less than forty five minutes to complete the final lap.
By his own admission, Green slipped off the pace- in Observation terms - on the final lap when he incurred four failures, two of which were in sections three and eight which he had cleaned on previous visits. Hemingway arrived at the final section in the Trials Park with a two mark advantage, but failed on the three huge steps which defeated most, but handling the pressure well. Peace took his time and managed one of only two cleans to take the victory and head back to Yorkshire with a nineteen point series advantage from Hemingway who moves up to second, aided by taking the best lap bonus point on the day.
Jack Dance (GasGas) put in some stunning rides during the day and lowered his score on each of the three laps around the twelve section course which consisted of ultra steep climbs, dry rocks and stream beds. Harry Turner (Scorpa) completed the top five at the end of a tough day.