TRIALS
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-9
~
ing National
pion GeoH Aaron
sc ~:e win at the first
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y. On Sunday, he
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Rounds 1-2
April 9-10, 2005
AMA/NATC National Trials Series
a
Aaron
Ie Riche
GeoffAaron and South African Bruce Ie Riche
each come away with a win in Texas opener
STORY AND PHOTOS BY SHAN MOORE/TRIALS COMPETITION NEWSPAPER
herco USA's Bruce Ie Riche
claimed his first-ever U.S.
National Trials win at rounds one
and two of the AMA/NATC
National Trials Series held at Red
River Motorcycle Park near Muenster,
Texas. The South African took his win on
Sunday of the two-day event after posting
a very solid runner-up finish to eight-time
National Champion Geoff Aaron on Saturday. The ERE/Gas Gas-mounted Aaron
admitted to being somewhat shaky for
the opening rounds but stepped it up
when he needed it to take the round-one
S
win.
The Texas event, which was held at the
same venue as the 1983 World
Championship event, was hot and dry,
which made for loose dirt and slippery
sections, most of which were situated in
and around the many dry creeks that
cover the property.
On Saturday, Aaron seemed to be
rushing the sections early on, clipping a
marker for a five in one section and making a "real lame" attempt at a step for
another. Still, the 32-year-old held a threepoint advantage, 7-10, over Ie Riche at the
end of the first lap, while Floridian Chris
Florin, making his first National ride for
Gas Gas, sat in third place with one point
more. Colorado teenager Keith Wineland
proved that he had been doing his homework over the winter and finished the lap
in a tie for fourth position with last year's
latest phenom, Cody Webb, each with 19
points.
During the second lap, Ie Riche gave a
42 APRil 27, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS
hint of his potential by matching Aaron
ride for ride, eventually dropping one
point less than the champ over the course
of the lap. Uke he has done so many times
in the past, however, Aaron stepped it up
on the final circuit, cleaning all 12 sections,
while Ie Riche could do no better than a
three-point effort, giving the win and the
series lead to Aaron. Wineland coasted in
for third, his first-ever podium finish, while
Florin dropped off the pace after falling
from a ledge and catching a sharp rock in
the back.
Aaron's determination was the difference in Saturday's outcome, and like he
has done eight seasons before, he proved
that a strong will is equally as important as
skill.
