Stock Ranch, Colorado. May 14th & 15th. Rounds 5 & 6 of 2005 Championship.
ERE Gas Gas's Geoff Aaron seems to have dispensed with his often sporadic first loop scores in 2005. His consistency at the Colorado Nationals allowed him to edge in front of heir apparent Chris Florin on both days. Both riders finished on 30 points on Saturday. Aaron's 26 cleans won out over Chris's 24. On Sunday, Geoff finished on 33, with Chris on 34.
Despite the PRO Class shrinking to just 5 riders at this Trial, the large crowds following the closer sections were treated to spectacular performances. Any of these five riders seem capable of leading from the front. Throughout this season, we've seen breakout rides from Bruce LeRiche and ERE Gas Gas rider Keith Wineland. Keith has really upped his game this year, under the vociferous tutelage of new minder Big Al Duke. When Keith gets into his groove he's a wonder to watch. Certainly the biggest cheers of the event were for Keith. He wasn't shying away from the 'big' lines, and was actually holding the lead in Sundays Trial up to section 6. Keith took another 3rd place on Saturday, and has placed himself very strongly in the standings for the year.
Chris Florin continues to clear the biggest obstacles more cleanly than anyone, and has found the Gas Gas's agility to his liking. He clearly is expecting wins this season, and has been unlucky not to get them. On this weekend the difference between him and Geoff was a mere one point. Chris garnered the best single loop scores on both days, and cleaned 6 sections more than Geoff on Sunday. There's a strong feeling that once the taps open, Chris will be hard to stop.
Once again, on top of it all was the evergreen Geoff Aaron. Geoffs experience shows in the sections, and his ability to pull out the big rides when he desperately needs to still separates him from the challengers. As evidenced from this event, even the close calls tend to favor Geoff. He knew exactly what margins were between him and the others at all times, and on this occasion at least, Geoff really made it happen.
In the Expert Class former Pro's Ray Peters and Travis Fox took took the top positions on Saturday, but were separated by young TrialsTV Gas Gas rider Stevie Darrow on Sunday. Aided by minder Mark Manniko, Stevie made the most of his home turf, and finished a mere 4 points behind Peters. With young Will Ibsen taking a podium spot on Saturday, it looks like the youngsters are looking to oust the veterans before the season is done.
