By Isle of Wight Observer
One of the most popular trials in the south of England is the Knill trial held on the edge of Dartmoor by the West of England motor club, and this year was no exception with over 200 riders taking part including several Island riders.
With so many competitors taking part, riders are split into to groups with the novices in one section, and the more experienced riders in the other. Being the first round of the south west centre championship on a course that is sometimes use for a round of the British championship it always attracts top riders.
The king of this event in recent years has been Devon based Joe Baker, a top rider who has won their centre championship many times. But this year he had some strong opposition in the expert class from Honda supported rider, Billy Green, and Island rider Chris Stay.
A first lap error from Chris when he was penalized for touch a course marker seemed to have destroy any chance of victory, but far from giving up he staged a brilliant fight back to finish in second place, just two marks behind the talented Baker, but six in front of third place Billy Green.who is the current junior world champion.
While Chris Stay came close to victory in the main class, the talented Josh Stephens went one better by taking a surprise win in the well supported Clubman expert class beating several well known riders in the process, this is the first time Josh has won a class away from home in a very long time and was well overdue.
Two other Island riders took part in this class with Rob Howard finishing in 12th place, while James Stay who was lying in third place after the first lap was bitterly disappointed when forced to retire with a puncture on the last lap.
Isle of Wight Observer