Rain or shine, the first weekend of May always brings a gaggle of Observed Trials Motorcycle riders together to compete in one of the first events of the season, presented by the Welland County Motorcycle Club hosted at the Port Colborne Quarry in Southern Ontario Canada.\u00a0 The competitors dusted off their trials helmets, shook the cobwebs off their equipment and polished their rusty skills in the warm up area as they patiently awaited for the start of their 1st out of the 4 required loops.\u00a0\u00a0 With rain swelled clouds threatening overhead, the end of the event is guaranteed to be wet and slippery.<\/p>\n
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Jordan Szoke once again competed aboard his Raga GasGas 300 with his CMA #1, having won the Canadian National Championship last season at the Arden event.\u00a0 In Trials competitions the goal is to achieve the lowest score by keeping your feet off the ground, and yourself on the motorcycle, while negotiating through a series of sections placed within a loop.\u00a0 Szoke collected a meager 2 points in his first loop negotiating the 8 carefully laid out sections.\u00a0 \u201cSo far I feel I am riding really well this year.\u201d says Szoke \u201cI always practice very hard on my trials skills throughout the season and strive to always get the best results.\u00a0 My good friend Tom Farr and I have been practicing together before this event, and I really enjoy riding with him.\u00a0 Our styles are so distinct, we challenge each other to try new and different techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n
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By the beginning of the 3rd loop the rain clouds burst, making already challenging lines more difficult as the competitors pick up a few extra points with the loss of traction in the slippery muck.\u00a0 The checkers that are stationed at every section, brave the weather as they score the riders through the entire event.<\/p>\n
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Jordan completes the trial, under the required time, with 27 points in total to earn him the first victory of the season.\u00a0 \u201cWhat a great way to start off the year,!\u201d smiles Szoke \u201cWith our Road Racing season coming up soon at the end of May this is a great way for me to relax and have some fun before it\u2019s time to get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
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