Election fails to dampen Aussie Moto Trials Championship

Jake Whitaker

As voters flocked to the polls on Saturday, the 2010 Australian Moto Trials Championship kicked into gear at Thunderbird Park - Mount Tamborine.

With the sun finally breaking through after two days of rain, it was New Zealand import Jake Whitaker, who despite a slow start to the day, managed to finish strongly taking the lead ahead of Sunday’s final battle.

“I was third after the first lap, and had a few unlucky point scores,” Whitaker said.

“Going into the second lap I felt much better and it showed in my results - the course here is great, very similar to New Zealand, so I’m quite comfortable out there.”

Brisbane local Boyd Willcocks began the day in strong form, leading after the first lap, however, with Whitaker finding his rhythm, Willcocks was forced back into second place by the end of the day.

Reigning Champ and New South Welshman, Colin Zarczynski, struggled in the tough conditions in the first lap; however, improvement in the second lap saw him secure fourth place.

Zarczynski is one of four riders in the Open Solo class, and three in the Women’s class, using the Championship as preparation for the 2010 Trial des Nations – the Olympics for Moto Trials, to be held in Poland in less than a month’s time.

In the Women’s class, Canberran Michelle Coleman, has taken the lead ahead of 2009 Champion Kristie McKinnon.

As ‘Trials Week’ begins, one of the event organisers, Robert Eyers, said that despite a fair bit of rain – oh, and a federal election, things were going brilliantly!

“With all the rain we had on Thursday night and Friday, it did make the lower grade sections more difficult that we’d planned,” Eyers said.

“However most of the riders seem to be getting through and with the sun shining things should be spot-on for Sunday’s competition.

“When we first heard about the date of the election, we were a bit worried, however we’ve still received more entries than in 2009, and we’ve even had a quite a few spectators coming by to check out all the action.”

The Australian Championship will be followed up on 25 August with a trial at Esk, and an Arena Showcase event at Carrara on the Gold Coast on 28 and 29 August as part of ‘Trials Week’.

Update on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 8:46PM by bikenews

New Zealand local Jake Whitaker has taken out the 2010 Australian Moto Trials Championship at Thunderbird Park – Mount Tamborine, on Sunday 22 August.

Overcoming challenges from some of Australia’s best riders including; Brisbane local Boyd Willcocks, West Australian Neil Price, and reigning Champ Colin Zarczynski, the 19 year-old put in a solid effort, keeping his points low enough to take the win.

Speaking at the end of the day the Kiwi, and reigning (and three-times) New Zealand Moto Trials Champion, was thrilled to take out the Aussie Title on his fourth attempt.

“It’s a bloody good feeling!” Whitaker said.

“I’ve wanted this title for about four years now so it’s a really good feeling.

“I had a stunning first lap on Sunday, scoring only four points - I felt way more comfortable on the bike than I did on Saturday, and I really enjoyed it out there.

“I’ll now go finish the New South Wales Series, there are a few more rounds of that, and I’d like to do another stint in Europe however it all depends on sponsorship!”

Rounding out the podium in the Open Solo class were West Australian Price and, now former Champion, Zarczynski who wrapped up the weekend in second and third respectively.

These riders will now head to Poland for the Olympics of Moto Trials, the Trial des Nations, as part of the Australian team.

While the Open Solo saw the title head overseas ACT local Michelle Coleman took out the Women’s Open class.

Coleman was thrilled to take out the win, and was looking forward to representing her country at two rounds of the World Women’s Moto Trials Championship and the 2010 Trial des Nations to be held in Poland in less than a month’s time.

“It’s an awesome feeling to get the Title back,” Coleman said.

“Last year Kristie [McKinnon] won it on a ride-off, but it’s really good to have my name on it again.

“On Sunday the courses were a bit easier, and I felt a lot more comfortable out there.

“We head over to Europe on 31 Europe, firstly to ride a round of the Women’s World Championships, and then the following week, we’ll ride the next round of the Championship, and then the Trial des Nations.

“All up we’ll get two World Championship rounds, and the scoring for that is based on your best two rounds, so we’re in with a shot at the World Title too!”

As the clean up begins Event spokesperson Robert Eyers said that the Motorcycling Queensland Moto Trials sub-committee were incredibly happy with how everything went.

“The entire weekend has been fantastic,” Eyers said.

“The weather has been brilliant, we’ve had so many people come to watch which has been a great way to introduce even more people to Moto Trials, the course, the volunteers, the crew and everyone involved have all been incredible.

“This dedicated group have been working together so well, and the entire Moto Trials community has come together once again and I can’t thank them all enough.”

The Australian Championship will be followed up on 25 August with a Trial at Esk, and an Arena Showcase event at Carrara on the Gold Coast on 28 and 29 August as part of ‘Trials Week’.