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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128229
(Above) Ray Peters came within five points of Florin to finish fourth. with two uphill steps, each followed by tricky turns. Aaron and Bell logged the only rides better than a three here, both taking single dabs on the exit step. Though not the most technical section of the day, section three would prove to be one of the more important of the day as it was here that Bell decided he had had enough of playing follow-the-Ieader and made a break from the pack. It was also here that Aaron first showed signs of cracking. "I rode maybe two or three sections and felt great," Bell said. "I walked them two or three times and thought, 'Heck, I'm just going to go. I don't need anyone else to ride them for me. 'JO With his mental game in order, Bell proceeded to turn in one of the best single-lap performances of the year. The former Canadian Champion dropped only three more points on the first lap - one at section six, which featured a very tricky exit rock that would claim a first-lap five from Aaron, and ones at sections eight and 10. On the other hand, Aaron took a crazy line on section three in an effort to clean the exit and dropped the first of his two fives for the lap. Additional ones at four and nine left him with 13 total for the lap, nine points behind Bell. "I really wanted to do well today," Aaron said. "This was our last event of the year, and there were a lot of spectators out there, so I think I put a little too much pressure on myself right off the bat and ended up taking a couple of fives. But that just put me behind the eight ball, and I just had to go out there and step it up." Florin combined a five at section seven with two threes and a two for a total of 13 and the third-place position after the first go-'round. Ray Peters, who considered retirement at the end of last year but found his car~er rejuvenated after taking a job teaching at the Trials Training Center in Tennessee, was having one of his better rides of the year and sat in fourth with 16 points, just ahead of Wilson Craig with 18. Lap two signified the beginning of the end for Bell. "I had a problem with the clutch master cylinder - it was just a freak incident, and because of it I had a bad crash on the second loop and fived a section and ripped the throttle and exhaust off," Bell said. "I just nursed through the rest of the sections and got back [to the pits] and had to swap parts and go back out again." Bell and Aaron reversed their fortunes on lap two, with Aaron slowly regaining momentum, cleaning sections three and six this time, while Bell's fortunes slowly started to unravel, as he dropped a five at section eight - a section he oned on the first lap. After two laps, Aaron had whittled Bell's lead down a manageable deficit - three points (15-18), while Florin, Peters and Craig continued to fill spots three through five. Bell drove a nail his own coffin by opening lap three with a five at the entrance of section one, one of the easier sections of the day. He could take a small amount of solace knowing that Florin took a five in the same exact spot, but that didn't help either rider's standing in the event. A three on section seven left Bell with eight last-lap points and hoping for any kind of mistake by Aaron - which wouldn't come. Aaron needed only single prods on sections eight and IOta finish the final lap with two points, almost as (Above left) Travis Fox had some Impressive rides throughout the course of the day. He ended up ninth. (Above right) Cody Webb rounded out the top 10. impressive as Bell's four-point first lap, but then again, final laps are traditionally the easiest of the day. Going into the final two exhibition sections, Aaron led with 20 points, followed by Bell with 23. Since he was leading the event, Aaron had the privilege, and advantage, of riding last, so he only needed to match each of Bell's rides for the win - he did three points better, taking the win with a total of 22. Bell finished second with 28, with Florin taking the third spot with 45. Peters and Craig rounded out the top five with 50 and 62 points, respectively. Afterward, Aaron had time to reflect on the long but personally satisfying season: "('m just so pumped right now. This was a huge comeback for me and a great way to finish the year. This has been my best season ever, and this was just a great way to end it." Aaron ended the series with eight wins and 336 championship points. Bell was second overall with three wins and 300 points, followed by Wilson Craig with 250, Chris Florin with 216 and David Chaves with 201. CN Donner Ski Ranch Truckee, Califomia Results: August 9-10, Z003 IFinal Round) CHAMP: I, Geoff A.ron (22); 2. Ryon 'Bell (2B); 3. Chris Florin (45): 4. Ray Peters (50); 5. Wilson Craig (62); 6. Andy Johnson (76); 7. David Chaves (BO); B, Keith Wineland (BI): 9. Trovis Fox (lOB): 10. Cody Webb (129). EX: 1. Sean Bird (50): 2. Nick Mentzoros (71); 3. Chad White (75); 4. Michael McGregor (85); 5. Kenny Straub (96). EX-SPRTSMN: 1. J.ke Wieland (IB): 2, Bill Ibsen (41); 3. Will Ibsen (43); 4. Max Malsbary (59); 5. Blake Binder (66). SPRTSMN: 1. Don Ramer (26); 2. Rick Jenkins (27); 3, Ken Melody (40); 4. Justin Lara (72); 5. Ben Winterer (79). HS: I. Miles Morgan (10); 2. Reid Davis (30); 3. Mark McGregor (31): 4. Dustin Hedwall (32); 5. Glenn Roblin (41). WMN: I. Maria Conway (10): 2. Christy Williams (16); 3. Kerry Williams (2B); 4, Linda Meyer (2B); 5. Debbie Leavitt (66). SR 30: 'I. Michael Leonard (64.5). SR 35: 1. Alex Innes (55); 2. Ronald Ringuette (57); 3, Tim Pil9 (73); 4. Shawn Freiiing (B9); 5. Mike Weich (94). SR 40: 1. Kenny Mosteller (3); 2. David Rohrschneider (10); 3. Tom Hedwall (35): 4. Bob Caswell (39): 5. Bruce Davis (40). SR 45: I. Larry Drawhorn (10); 2. Howard G!!lbreath (11); 3. Jay Terry (25); 4. John Isherwood (26); 5. Ray Reser (40), SR 50: 1. Keith Adams (6); 2. Garry Hoover (29); 3. Clive Hannon (49); 4. Bruce Bolander (49): 5. William Hannon (128). SR 55: I. Dale Malasek 28): 2. Curtis Mann (107): 3. Jim Watson (121), SR 65: I, Bill Thompson (77). BRIEFLY••• GeoH Aaron was seen testing the new" Adam Raga Replica" Gas Gas at at Donner. The limited-edition model weighs in at an amazing 139 pounds Ca full 10 pounds lighter than the '03 Pro modell, It features a magnesium swingarm and engine cases. a new Ohlins rear shock. Gas Gas fork outters with Marzzochi internals. and a new Keihin carbo According to Aaron, "The bike was very easy to move around. " Speaking of Aaron, the ERE rider just inked a deal with Red Bull for sponsorship of his exhibition rig and help with booking of shows in conjunction with Red Bull-sponsored events. 'That's great for me because it runs along the same lines as what we've been doing for Dunlop at some of the supercrosses, Supermotos and Superbike races," Aaron said. "I just think that the more visibility we have, the more it will help trials, and I'm just excited that Red Bull wants to back us with this operation." In the Women' s division on Saturday, top European contenders Maria Conway of England and Linda Meyer of Norway attended the last U.S, event of the season. The Williams sisters of Canada· Christy and Kerry· split the duo, with Christy taking second behind Conway, and Kerry edging Meyer for third on cleans. Debbie Evans-Leavitt was top American in fifth. cue I e n e vv s