On The Pegs October 2018 - Volume 3 - Issue 10 | Page 88

On The Pegs
P 88
is the highest class in Canada and would determine the 2018 Canadian Trials
Champion. This hotly contested title would end up being a showdown between
16-year-old Josh Roper from Arizona who had just wrapped up the NATC/AMA
Expert Championship the weekend before in California, and longtime Canadian
Trials hero and legend, Ryon Bell. On Day 1 Bell jump out to an early lead with
Josh Roper keeping things close after 2 laps with an incredible clean loop.
In the end Bell prevailed with a narrow victory and one step closer to being the
Canadian champ for the first time since the early 2000’s.
The Clubman riders had to endure a tougher than usual loop for them, and
were introduced to the Ioco trail network by being thrown right into it. It showed
in their scores but everyone kept smiling all day.
Steady rain overnight and the forecast of more rain during the day Sunday ,
completely changed all the terrain and affected all classes. For all of the out of
town riders, they got to experience the true experience of what riding the famed
Ioco, BC location is all about!
The challenge was real in both the sections and the loop. In the Pro class, finally
the terrain was able to challenge the Champ Pat Smage enough to take some real
points from him. Although all the Pro and Champ sections had been eased previ-
ously with the forecast of rain, it still proved to be worthy of a Championship trial
for all classes.
Day two of the Canadian Championship saw the Champ class still up for graps
between Josh Roper from Arizona and Ryon Bell from Victoria BC. With Ryon
growing up on the super slippery rocks of Vancouver Island, and Josh being from
Arizona where he rarely gets a chance to train on terrain such as this, it was going
to be a tall order for Josh to take a victory and by a large margin. A credit to Josh
only being 16 years old, he rode and fought incredibly all day. Its easy to see he
has a bright future in the sport. In the end Ryon Bell showed his incredible mas-
tery of conditions such as this and why he is still the best rider in Canada! At the
young age of 40, Ryon also became the oldest Canadian Trials Champion ever. A
testament to his skill and dedication for many years. - Steve Fracey
On The Pegs
Vol. 3 Issue 10 - October 2018
P 89