Aug
29
Challoner European Champion
Jack Challoner, Miton Top Trial Team Beta, added the 2011 European Championship to his ever growing list of international titles. Having won the Youth World Championship in 2008, the Junior World Championship in 2010, the Relentless Energy endorsed rider from Halifax claimed the 2011 European Championship after a spectacular win at the final round held in Tanvald, Czeck Republic this weekend.
Just seven marks separated nearest championship rival Alfredo Gomez (SPA - Montesa) from damaging the Yorkshire riders finale, but it was Italian Matteo Grattarola (Gas Gas) who had the closest advantage arriving at the mouthiness venue on Friday. Challoner knew a top four finish would secure him the title, after three consecutive win's at the start of the championships gave him a strong advantage.
Overnight rain didn't make the going easy, the sections became very slippery and everything was to play for. Jack Challoner set off how he intended to finish putting in consistent good marks and very few maximum penalties to finish the opening lap with just 21. However, Spainish competitor Alfredo Gomez was eager to disrupt Challoner's plans of victory and finished just two marks behind with 23 at the half way point. It was very much a two horse race from then on in, with nearest championship contender, Matteo Grattatrola on 35 after a time penalty on the opening lap.
The Miton Top Trial Team front-man kept his cool throughout the trial and was the only rider to secure a lap under 20, with Gomez worsening his competitive first lap result, a Relentless Challoner was able to taking the championship title in spectacular style. Jack, Speaking soon after the trial commented, "This season has been really good for me, to start of with three consecutive win's I was defiantly looking to win them all, unfortunately Andorra wasn't a great round and Italy was a disaster, so I knew that I wasn't making it easy and had to ride well today…"
"…Today has been really good, I'm feeling really competitive on a great bike again and today I felt like anything was possible. To finish the Championship with a win and with the title is one of the best feelings ever, right up there with the Junior World Championship from last year. I have got to thank a few key people, Michele Bosi has been the top minder, and dad Si has been in the wings every step of the way - I also want to say thanks to all my sponsors for making this championship possible!"
Challoner, who now stands ninth in his first competitive season in the SPEA FIM Adult World Championships having missed the Japan leg of the series will be fighting hard against 8th standing Beta rider, James Dabill and 7th standing Michael Brown in the final two-day leg of the championships in France this weekend.
Just seven marks separated nearest championship rival Alfredo Gomez (SPA - Montesa) from damaging the Yorkshire riders finale, but it was Italian Matteo Grattarola (Gas Gas) who had the closest advantage arriving at the mouthiness venue on Friday. Challoner knew a top four finish would secure him the title, after three consecutive win's at the start of the championships gave him a strong advantage.
Overnight rain didn't make the going easy, the sections became very slippery and everything was to play for. Jack Challoner set off how he intended to finish putting in consistent good marks and very few maximum penalties to finish the opening lap with just 21. However, Spainish competitor Alfredo Gomez was eager to disrupt Challoner's plans of victory and finished just two marks behind with 23 at the half way point. It was very much a two horse race from then on in, with nearest championship contender, Matteo Grattatrola on 35 after a time penalty on the opening lap.
The Miton Top Trial Team front-man kept his cool throughout the trial and was the only rider to secure a lap under 20, with Gomez worsening his competitive first lap result, a Relentless Challoner was able to taking the championship title in spectacular style. Jack, Speaking soon after the trial commented, "This season has been really good for me, to start of with three consecutive win's I was defiantly looking to win them all, unfortunately Andorra wasn't a great round and Italy was a disaster, so I knew that I wasn't making it easy and had to ride well today…"
"…Today has been really good, I'm feeling really competitive on a great bike again and today I felt like anything was possible. To finish the Championship with a win and with the title is one of the best feelings ever, right up there with the Junior World Championship from last year. I have got to thank a few key people, Michele Bosi has been the top minder, and dad Si has been in the wings every step of the way - I also want to say thanks to all my sponsors for making this championship possible!"
Challoner, who now stands ninth in his first competitive season in the SPEA FIM Adult World Championships having missed the Japan leg of the series will be fighting hard against 8th standing Beta rider, James Dabill and 7th standing Michael Brown in the final two-day leg of the championships in France this weekend.
