Titled the ‘Devon Double Header’ with rounds two and three in the south of the country, it was Michelin rider Toby Martyn (TRRS UK) who proved beyond reach of the other title contenders with two clear wins. Once again, the 2021 ACU Trial GB season had a strong entry across the four classes; Trial GB, Trial 2, Trial 125, and Expert on both days. Day one was in the heavily wooded area of Kelly Farm, Bovey Tracey which was contested in dry conditions. Day two moved the riders over to Peter Tavy, near Torridge with its rivers and exposed headland where the wet conditions proved very challenging, three laps of 12 sections were ridden on both days.
Following on from the success of the 2020 championship which ran under a new ACU Trial GB marking system, unique to this series, the new rules have been implemented again in 2021. These rules include a one-minute time allowance for each section to be traversed. Other changes allow competitors to stop, go sideways or reverse without penalty. However, going backwards whilst footing incurs a five-mark penalty. An additional championship point is awarded to the best performance on observation on each lap of the trial to all four classes.
Kelly Farm – Bovey Tracey – 26th June 2021
A clear winner, Toby Martyn dominated all day after his opening score of a single mark lost leaving his rivals with so much work to do if they were to challenge him. A heavy 13 mark lost on the opening lap certainly inspired the younger of the two Peace brothers Jack as he recorded a perfect second lap score parting with no marks lost to gain an extra championship point for the best single lap score of the trial. Martyn though was a class act all day to take the win.
Peter Tavy – Torridge – 27th June 2021
In a total change of riding and weather conditions it was a much harder fought victory for Toby Martyn on day two. After the opening lap Jack Peace held a single mark advantage over Martyn with the first four riders covered by three marks. On the second lap Martyn really came alive with a stunning lap of just 16 marks lost to the 25 of Jack Peace. Try as he might the younger of the two Peace brothers Jack could not recover the loss as Martyn kept his 2021 title aspirations on course with another victory.
Trial GB Winner Toby Martyn (TRRS UK): “I am very happy to have won on both days as I consider these to be my ‘Home’ events. To maintain my challenge for the championship I knew a good result on day one was essential this weekend. With confidence in my choice of tyres in the dry conditions, I worked hard to open up an early advantage on lap one and the winning advantage tells its own story”
“Day two was a totally different story as the conditions were very difficult. The wet weather conditions made the course very challenging as the sections deteriorated all day. In these conditions tyre choice is essential and the feedback and feel from the Michelin tyres gave me the confidence to fight for the victory after the very closely contested day with Jack Peace. Once again The Michelin trials tyres proved vital to my success showing how they can adapt to the changing conditions we have encountered over the weekend.”
Results Round Two Kelly Farm 26/06/2021 Trial GB Class
1: Toby Martyn (TRRS UK) 8; 2: Jack Peace (MRS FACTORY Sherco) 18; 3: Dan Peace (MRS FACTORY Sherco) 22; 4: Billy Green (BMS Scorpa) 32; 5: Iwan Roberts (TRRS UK) 88.
Results Round Three Peter Tavy 27/06/2021 Trial GB Class
1: Toby Martyn (TRRS UK) 66; 2: Jack Peace (MRS FACTORY Sherco) 77; 3: Dan Peace (MRS FACTORY Sherco) 87; 4: Billy Green (BMS Scorpa) 98; DNF: Iwan Roberts (TRRS UK)
2021 Championship Positions after Three Rounds
Championship Class – 1: Toby Martyn 62; 2: Jack Peace 52; 3: Dan Peace 45; 4: Billy Green 39; 5: Iwan Roberts 22.
