Ben Pearce - D3a
The 2022 Monteiths New Zealand Trials Champs were held at Labour Weekend on the rocks around Alexandra. A record entry of just under one hundred riders took on three days of challenging riding. The venues were all close to Alexandra with only 15 minutes drive time to each day’s event. The first day was held on the hills above Hawley Road in warm dry weather. It is a great venue that has been used at past South Island rounds. Day 2 was held at a new property at Conroys Gully in Fruitlands. This would have to be one of the best venues in NZ with sections set up down both sides of a gulley with spectators in deck chairs located along the top of the gully being able to watch action in a number of sections from a single vantage point. The last day was the most challenging with a return to new sections above Hawley Road, but with strong winds, cold temperatures, and showers that turned to rain. Tough conditions for competitors, and also for each observer that stood in the cold wet conditions until all riders finished.
As the largest trials event held in NZ there were some queues but riders and some spectators were very good and helped the observers to keep everyone flowing through the sections. This positive attitude by spectators and riders made it a great event to be part of. The small team that make up the Southern Trials group did an excellent job and put on an event of a high standard. Thanks to them, the officials, and especially the observers, as without them the event could not be run. Thanks also to Lynette who took photos all weekend, as I never got time to pick it up myself.
The three days certainly found worthy champions in each class with Dylan Ball the top rider in New Zealand for the third time. Congratulations to Dylan, and all other class winners.
Ben Pearce - D3a
The 2022 Monteiths New Zealand Trials Champs were held at Labour Weekend on the rocks around Alexandra. A record entry of just under one hundred riders took on three days of challenging riding. The venues were all close to Alexandra with only 15 minutes drive time to each day’s event. The first day was held on the hills above Hawley Road in warm dry weather. It is a great venue that has been used at past South Island rounds. Day 2 was held at a new property at Conroys Gully in Fruitlands. This would have to be one of the best venues in NZ with sections set up down both sides of a gulley with spectators in deck chairs located along the top of the gully being able to watch action in a number of sections from a single vantage point. The last day was the most challenging with a return to new sections above Hawley Road, but with strong winds, cold temperatures, and showers that turned to rain. Tough conditions for competitors, and also for each observer that stood in the cold wet conditions until all riders finished.
As the largest trials event held in NZ there were some queues but riders and some spectators were very good and helped the observers to keep everyone flowing through the sections. This positive attitude by spectators and riders made it a great event to be part of. The small team that make up the Southern Trials group did an excellent job and put on an event of a high standard. Thanks to them, the officials, and especially the observers, as without them the event could not be run. Thanks also to Lynette who took photos all weekend, as I never got time to pick it up myself.
The three days certainly found worthy champions in each class with Dylan Ball the top rider in New Zealand for the third time. Congratulations to Dylan, and all other class winners.