Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

. Geoff Aaron balanced to a secondplace finish on the slippery course. Defending National Champion Ryan Young rode to his 14th-consecutive win, surpassing Bernie Schreiber's record of 13. Young has already clinched the tiUe. Young breaks record in hometown By Michael Snyder File photos by Donn Maeda WILLIAMSPORT, PA, SEPT. 6 efending National Champion Ryan Young broke former World and National Trials Champion Bernie Schreiber's National win-streak record of 13, by riding his factory Aprilia Climber to his 14th-straight overall victory at the Pennsylvania Trials Club-hosted Williamsport National Trial. And he didn't have to go far to do it, as the event was practically held in Young's backyard. "I practice all the time in terrain like this," said Young, who has already clinched this year's National Championship title. "I had the advantage today, with the conditions and all, but D 34 when we go up to New England next week (for round eight), I'm going to be surrounded by specialists like (Ron) Commo and (G~off) Aaron, who will have the homecourt advantage." The National was held the day after the World Championship Observed Trials Series finale in Watkins Glen, New York, and the day before the Trials des - Nations, also held in Watkins Glen. Tryals Shop/Bieffe/Pirelli/West Muffler;Alpinestar-backed Young dropped 38 points to best his Aprilia teammate Geoff Aaron, who posted a 52-point score for second overall. Teammates Aaron (left) and Young are running 1-2 jn the points standings. The choice by officials to run the National round on the .£ree day between a World Championship event and the Trials des Nations was the center of considerable controversy. Several people complained that the date choice would place riders co.mpetipg in one or both of the other events at a disadvantage, as they would not have a chance to rest. "When we went to the annual meeting for the event sanctions in january, all 27 people on the committee said to go ahead and do it," said Course Clerk jerry Young. "Later on, a couple of board members said that maybe we should drop the (National) Championship class (on Sunday), to give those riders a chance to ride the World round (on Saturday) without having the pressure to perform the next day at a National. But that would've ruined my particular event, and thankfully, calmer heads prevailed, so the event went off without a hitch." Riders who chose to ride all three days had to make the two-hour drive south from Saturday's World round in Watkins Glen, New York, and then drive back north to the same location for the Trials des Nations on Sunday. Not everyone was able to pull it off without any trouble. "I was in such a hurry to leave Watkins Glen last night to get here that I forgot my boots," said Canadian Tom Farr, who placed 10th overall. "1 had to find a spare set from someone so I could ride today. That didn't really start me off on the right 'foot', which explains my finish." Although the event was up in rider entries because of the other events in New York, several top riders were noshows. National number three Mark Manniko decided not to make the trip from Colorado, and Kip Webb sat out the weekend in order to recover from recent knee surgery. High School Class Champion Cory Pincock. elected to concentrate on the other two events of the weekend, and didn't make the trip south for the National. The trials proved popular with the Support class riders present, and many voiced the opinion that it was one of the most sensible events of the season. Organizers routed the sections so that the rainy weather conditions would not be as much of a factor in the scores as they could be, and the moisture actually served as an equalizer. The overall results at the end of the day reflected that fact, as several riders In the Support class had very respectable marks. "We've been experiencing a drop in rider turnout at these events this year," said jerry Young. "And the name of the game is trying to bring the fun back to the Support classes. "I think everyone was challenged en9ugh today, from the Championship Class down to the High School division." The weather did prove to be somewhat of a factor, however, as me 70 riders were greeted in the morning by mist and light rain, which tested the competitors throughout the four anda-half hour-long event. The course wove through several valleys and rocky stream beds, and conditions were fairly slippery. Numerous steep hills combined with slippery, moss-covered rocks in stream beds to .challenge the riders in a traditional style trials, which catered to the Support class riders. Because of the limited traction, . aggressive trick riding didn't prove to be the best method for most sections. Instead, momentum became the key, which meant that riders attacked the steep ascents with full-throttle approaches. "The ride was'very technical," said Aaron.' "It was extremely easy to get fives today. I'm happy I did as good as I did, because of the event being held in Ryan's backyard. He's a lot more used these conditions." (;N Results CHAMPIONSHIP: I. Ryan Young; 2. Geo£f Aaron; 3. Steve McNeal; 4. Raymond Peters; 5. Ron Commo; 6. Andy Saum; 7. Francisco Nisthal; 8. Kenny Leduc; 9. Gary Bourque; 10. Tom Farr. SUPPORT: L Steve Dolan; 2. Mike Huddleston; 3. Jason Carpenter; 4. Chris Bardell; 5. Dav.e Fracy; 6. Mike Reed; 7. Dave Weaver; 8. Reedy Lance; 9. Dean Clark; 10. Chuck Weaver. EX: I. Blair Flux; 2. Je£f Hurst; 3. Steve Clark; 4. Todd Clark; 5. Chris Hetrick. SR 30: I. Brock Sallelmei£er; 2. Noel Smage; 3. David Hohrschneider; 4. Rick Montone; 5. Kenneth Larkin. SR 35: I. Gary Hoover; 2. Jim Altemus; 3. Chuck Blose; 4. Ed Pol heber; 5. Fred Eich. SR 40: I. Gary Sampsel; 2. Dave Waldo; 3. Mickey Hutcheson; 4. Jack Hutson. SR 45: I. Gordon Bowden; 2. David Hulse; 3. Jim Watson. SR 50: I. Dave Watson; 2. Robert Bicking. SR 55: I. Bill Thompson; 2. Robert Reed. SR 60: ~. Art Webster. HIGH SCL: I. Rob Leggo; 2. John Carey.

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