Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

.OBSERVED TRIALS· .' . AMAINATC National 'Champion$hip Observed Trials SerieS. R ds8&9: C oun anon C Colorado. ity, urn... By AI Malmquist Photos by Jim Snail and Malmquist CANON CITY, CO, AUG. 26-27 he rocky mountain locale was new, but the results were all too familiar. For the fourth time this season, six-time National Champion and defending National Champion Geoff Aaron split the wins during a double-header National weekend. This time, the setting was Canon City, Colorado, a small "town located southwest of Denver and due west of Pueblo, a town best known for whitewater rafting at this time of year. Young came out swinging on Saturday's opener, winning an event that many considered to be the hardest of the year. Severe sections and stifling heat made the going rough for all on hand, and the conditions took their toll on several of the Championship-class competitors. Aaron seemed to bobble a bit on Sunday, and he and Young were split in the results by Belgian sensation Olivier Clamagirand. The multi-time Belgian National Champion finished second on Saturday, bumping Aaron to third and helping his Gas Gas USA teammate to gain a few precious points over his rivaL Aaron, however, rebounded on Sunday and turned in a masterful performance to score the win and keep things evened up. Ever-consistent, Young was second ahead of Clamagirand. ''I'm happy with my results, but not with my overall ride," said Young. "The bike was great and I had no flats, 1 had great support and no mechanical problems. 1 had a few bad scores at the start of Saturday, but 1 saw that Geoff had taken a couple of fives and 1 realized that 1 was still in the hunt." "This weekend was like a roller coaster," said Aaron. "The heat was a defin'ite factor on Saturday. 1 just couldn't seem to get.enough water in me. My first two loops were terrible, but my third loop on Saturday was great. 1 had the lowest loop score of the day on the third lap, but it was too little, too late." Clamagirand was happy with his second- and third-place finishes. Flats plagued the BuLtaco Parts Obsolete rider, and a crash on Saturday saw Clamagirand compete on Sunday with an extremely sore right arm. "The weekend was very good and very bad for me," said Clamagirand, who now resides in Southern California. "1 had to get used to the sharp, pointed rocks here. In California, the rocks are smooth. I had to change my technique." Thanks to his strong finishes in Colorado, Clamagirand moved into third in the series point standings. Though Saturday's opening section was on the easy side, riders had a rude awakening when they reached section two. Jagged rocks and multiple steps challenged the riders, and upper-level riding ability was needed even to reach the start of the sec.tion, as the loop was somewhat severe. Oregon's Dennis Sweeten had the most spectacular crash of the day in this section, as he cased out on a ledge aoo fell back into a patch of choLlas cactus. Sweeten spent nearly 30 minutes plucking needles from his T 26 (Above) Slxtime National Champion Ryan Young eamedhis fourth win of the 888son on saturday. (Right) Matching Young's every move, defending National Champion Geoff Aaron scored the win on Sunday. It was also his fourth win of the year. together on the final lap to turn in the lowest loop score of the day. His total was 98, and he had 18 perfect rides. San Diego National winner Jess Kempkes was fourth overall with a 101point total. The long-haired Nebraskan was eight minutes late and incurred four penalty points. Kempkes had taken part in a Friday-afternoon rafting trip, and was sore for most of the morning on Saturday. "1 could hardly move," said Kempkes. "I went rafting yesterday, and 1 didn't loosen up until the second and third loops. 1 shouldn't have gone rafting. 1 cramped up in the last section, and 1 had to stretch while 1 was balanced." . Fresh off his win at the Ute Cup, Raymond Peters rounded out the top five aboard his Tryals Shop Fantic. Beta's Lonny Hallsted had an off~ay and finished sixth. The Oregon rider suffered with a head cold and a sudden lack of confidence. Hallsted crashed hard while practicing in the off-season, and found himself doubting his abilities on several occasions. "Every time 1 come to a gap or drop off, 1 start to think about my crash," admitted Hallsted. '1 actually rode out of the tapes on purpose a couple of times because 1 freaked out." On Sunday, the sections weren't quite as severe, but they remained challenging. After a night of contemplation, Aaron showed up ready to do battle and anxious to make his mark. Young led the way after the first loop, but from then on it was' all Aaron. The Beta Motor Italy /Cosmopolitan Motors/ Extreme/Elf /Braking-backed rider turned in 28 clean rides and amassed a mere 49 points. Young was close behind 'with 51 points and 25 cleans, while C1a-

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