Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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- - Rounds 3-4 OFF-ROAD ~ AMA/NATC National Trials Series eoff Aaron took a giant step toward National title number nine by claiming a pair of wins at rounds three and four of the AMNNATC National Trials Series held at the beautiful 660-acre Trials Training Center facility, just outside of Sequatchie, Tennessee. The ERE/Gas Gas-mounted Aaron built up substantial first-lap leads each day and then fended off advances by South African Bruce Ie Riche and Floridian Chris Florin to secure the wins. The Tennessee course was a considerable change from rounds one and two held the week before in Texas, where dry conditions and somewhat easy sections made for a nerve-wracking event. Tougher sections allow riders to recover more easily from one or two mistakes, and in Tennessee, that's just what they got. Over 140 riders were confronted with very tough and technical sections set in the Trials Training Center's many slippery creek beds, fast-moving streams and demanding rock walls that comprised the STRA-hosted two-day event. Aaron normally shines in the tougher events and did so during the early going each day. However, Ie Riche and Florin matched Aaron ride for ride during the later laps to close the gap. But in the end, Aaron's ability to read the terrain accounted for his superior first-lap scores and ultimately became the difference in the contest. G 54 MAY 4,2005 • CYCLE NEWS "I thought the sections were pretty demanding, and basically, it was a difficult trial," Aaron said. "I took my fair share of fives, but I think there were a few sections that grabbed almost everybody. I started off pretty strong, compared to the other guys, and had a decent first loop each day, considering the tough conditions. But I think this stuff sort of slicked up a little bit on the second loops, and I struggled a little bit more and had a few blunders here and there. I was able to pick it up a little on the final lap each day, but I'm a perfectionist, so I always think I could have done better." During Saturday's competition, Ie Riche, riding a Sherco 2.9 for Sherco USA, had the early hot hand, leading Aaron by four points through the first five sections. However, on section six, which consisted of climbs over VW-sized boulders, Ie Riche rammed his skid plate full-speed into one of the giant outcroppings. The impact was so great that it sheared the flywheel key, and by the time the problem was diagnosed, Ie Riche was desperately behind on time. By now, Aaron was finding his form and blitzed his way to the best lap of the weekend with only nine points lost. Le Riche recovered to post a score of 13 but was six minutes late in completing the lap, meaning he would incur three penalty points, as well. Youngster Cody Webb came in with 18 points, while Gas Gas US"!s F orin posted 20 for the first lap. On the anal two laps, Aaron and Ie Riche were ead even, ea dropping 7 points, giving Aaron 38 po for the day andlthe 62n National wj f his car er, { Le Ri e.ended t day' I 5 ints f r sec nd, riflsca~ 27