May
15
2011 Challoner Championship Debut in Round 1, Germany
Reigning Junior World Champion, Jack Challoner has been very busy this weekend as he competed in both the second round of European Championships and opening round of 2011 SPEA FIM Outdoor championships on consecutive days. The venue playing host to this exceptional weekend of Trials riding was Gefrees, a small town in eastern Germany.
Challoner, undeterred by his debut ride in the Championhip class of the world scene on Sunday took his second victory of two starts in the UEM European Championships on the Saturday. He was however, unable to carry quite the same form through to the Sunday World Championship Round as he narrowly missed out on a top ten finish…
2011 SPEA FIM World Championships - Round 1, Germany
Jack Challoner had his championship class debut this weekend, and showed that he is definitely one to watch out for in the battle for the top ten hierarchy. The class severity between the Junior and Championship classes is arguably one of the toughest in the sport. The sections become bigger, more extreme and far more technical – success at this level requires incredible knowledge and skill in all terrains and environments. Challoner finished in his debut in eleventh, eight marks behind French Gas Gas rider Loris Gubian who took the final position in the top ten.
At the front of the field, Toni Bou (SPA – Montesta) gave the crowds a show of why he is four time consecutive World Champion, winning the event with 32 marks ahead of countryman Albert Cabestany (Sherco) and Repsol Montesa Honda team-mate Takahisha Fujinami who finished the trial second and third respectively on 42 and 43. Adam Raga finished fourth with Ossa frontman Jeroni Fajardo concluding the top five.
The real battle however came further down the pack, with nine riders all fighting for the five remaining places in the top ten, however it was the 26 year old Leeds rider, James Dabill (GBR - Beta) who came out on top and in sixth position ahead of Matteo Grattarola (ITA – Gas Gas) who also showed that he was out to disrupt the pace over this ten round season.
Jack’s opening lap in the world outdoor championships was not easy, with every mark counting, Jack battled long and hard in every section to get the best result – and took his first championship clean on the final section of the lap. Resting in thirteen after the opening lap, Jack knew that he had to up the pace if he wanted to get in front of Alexz Wigg (GBR – Sherco) or Carsten Strandhoner (GER – Gas Gas) in the final standings. Challoner, after not having the best of laps, arrived at the final three sections close to the paddock still believing a top ten finish was possible, however after three exceptional clean rides, later found out he would finish in eleventh.
Commenting after the trial Jack said “For sure we knew today was going to be hard, I’m now riding at the pinnacle of the sport, so it was always going to be tough contrast. I’m not disheartened in the slightest to finish outside the top ten - we came to this round with no expectations, we just wanted to get used to these bigger more extreme sections and I believe we have learnt a lot…
“…Overall this weekend has been a huge success, I won the European round yesterday which was a great result, and we have learnt a lot about the championship class. I’ll be going to the twin round in France next week still looking to absorb this level of the sport, and hope to battle with the likes of Grattarola, Gubian and Wigg for those top ten finishes in due-course.”
Concluding the chat, Jack said “I’ve got to thank my minder Michele of course, he has been great as usual and the Top Trial Team bike really is exceptional. I have no doubt we will be able to climb many places this year. It’s a great feeling to have my first World Championship points under the belt too, I’ve been wanting to ride at this level all my life, so to be here now is really special”
Jack will stay out in Europe during this week and ride the two day French round next weekend.
Challoner, undeterred by his debut ride in the Championhip class of the world scene on Sunday took his second victory of two starts in the UEM European Championships on the Saturday. He was however, unable to carry quite the same form through to the Sunday World Championship Round as he narrowly missed out on a top ten finish…
2011 SPEA FIM World Championships - Round 1, Germany
Jack Challoner had his championship class debut this weekend, and showed that he is definitely one to watch out for in the battle for the top ten hierarchy. The class severity between the Junior and Championship classes is arguably one of the toughest in the sport. The sections become bigger, more extreme and far more technical – success at this level requires incredible knowledge and skill in all terrains and environments. Challoner finished in his debut in eleventh, eight marks behind French Gas Gas rider Loris Gubian who took the final position in the top ten.
At the front of the field, Toni Bou (SPA – Montesta) gave the crowds a show of why he is four time consecutive World Champion, winning the event with 32 marks ahead of countryman Albert Cabestany (Sherco) and Repsol Montesa Honda team-mate Takahisha Fujinami who finished the trial second and third respectively on 42 and 43. Adam Raga finished fourth with Ossa frontman Jeroni Fajardo concluding the top five.
The real battle however came further down the pack, with nine riders all fighting for the five remaining places in the top ten, however it was the 26 year old Leeds rider, James Dabill (GBR - Beta) who came out on top and in sixth position ahead of Matteo Grattarola (ITA – Gas Gas) who also showed that he was out to disrupt the pace over this ten round season.
Jack’s opening lap in the world outdoor championships was not easy, with every mark counting, Jack battled long and hard in every section to get the best result – and took his first championship clean on the final section of the lap. Resting in thirteen after the opening lap, Jack knew that he had to up the pace if he wanted to get in front of Alexz Wigg (GBR – Sherco) or Carsten Strandhoner (GER – Gas Gas) in the final standings. Challoner, after not having the best of laps, arrived at the final three sections close to the paddock still believing a top ten finish was possible, however after three exceptional clean rides, later found out he would finish in eleventh.
Commenting after the trial Jack said “For sure we knew today was going to be hard, I’m now riding at the pinnacle of the sport, so it was always going to be tough contrast. I’m not disheartened in the slightest to finish outside the top ten - we came to this round with no expectations, we just wanted to get used to these bigger more extreme sections and I believe we have learnt a lot…
“…Overall this weekend has been a huge success, I won the European round yesterday which was a great result, and we have learnt a lot about the championship class. I’ll be going to the twin round in France next week still looking to absorb this level of the sport, and hope to battle with the likes of Grattarola, Gubian and Wigg for those top ten finishes in due-course.”
Concluding the chat, Jack said “I’ve got to thank my minder Michele of course, he has been great as usual and the Top Trial Team bike really is exceptional. I have no doubt we will be able to climb many places this year. It’s a great feeling to have my first World Championship points under the belt too, I’ve been wanting to ride at this level all my life, so to be here now is really special”
Jack will stay out in Europe during this week and ride the two day French round next weekend.
