Newly crowned 7-time National Trials Champion Geoff Aaron continued his most successful season ever with a win at Colorado's famous UTE Cup Trial, held in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest in Southern Colorado .

The UTE Cup is a US institution, with the sections being set for average club riders. This year was a tough one to set, with the eyes of the Forest Service on Trialsmasters Stan Hensley and Larry Lund throughout the process. Even with such a weight on their shoulders, Stan and the crew managed to set a total of 40 sections for the two day event.

Saturdays loop was 22 miles long, with twenty sections. The loop was ridden twice, with a 7 and a half hour time limit. The 90 rider entry set off at intervals, with the top riders being grouped together. This year's entry was bolstered by top men Geoff Aaron, Ryon Bell, and the UTE Cup holder, Chris Florin. Also adding to the mix were 9 women riders, including Norwegian Champion Linda Meyer, and English Champ Maria Conway.

The UTE is always a nailbiter for the top riders, with mistakes being fatal. As points drop, the field narrows. The most challenging section on Saturday was section 19. Geoff Aaron, Ryon Bell, Chris Florin, Chad White, Eric Tidmore and Keith Wineland all arrived here with Clean scorecards. Geoff went through for a smooth clean, as did Ryon and Chris. Chad slid on the entrance rock and was forced to foot out for a three. Keith slid the other way off the same rock and had to jump off for a 5. This was the only blemish on Keith's card all weekend! Eric Tidmore from New Mexico took two prods.

On the second loop, Geoff again stayed clean. Ryon took an annoyingly soft dab on an easy section 5, while Chris Florin lost his concentration and dabbed on section 9. Eric Tidmore cleaned the loop and kept his two point total for the day. Keith Wineland cleaned the loop, as did Zach Clement. Chad White lost another 3 points to end the day on 6.

On Sunday a 'bonus' section was added. This was the first and last ride of the day. It was reversed, and increased in difficulty for the return ride. This section was considerably more difficult than most, but was set up so it could only do a rider good to get through it. A clean ride would REMOVE five points from a riders score. A one point ride would remove 4 points, and so on. If a rider decided not to ride the section, they were no worse off. All the top men cleaned this section on the first run through. The rest of the sections were cleanable, and a lot of low scoring loops were carded. Geoff Aaron kept his feet up all the way. On arrival at the final, deciding 'bonus' section on the way down the mountain, Ryon Bell and Chris Florin were on just one point. Ryon went first through the section, getting through clean. Geoff went next, also clean. This left Geoff on MINUS 10 points for the weekend. Ryon finished on -9. Chris Florin went through the final section, but stalled his bike!

Final results are not in yet for all the riders, but one thing is clear... Gas Gas's Geoff Aaron and Ryon Bell finished 1 & 2!