British Enduro Championship 2010: Round 4, Knighton Enduro 10&11/07/2010 

The Gas Gas UK Enduro team headed to the fourth round of the Metzeler ACU British Enduro Championship this weekend looking to build on their strong results from previous rounds. Organised by the Central Wales Motor Club the Knighton Enduro proved to have some of the best designed tests of the year so far and provided some close racing for both Ashley and Daniel in their respective classes. Wood started the first day well setting a quick pace from the off and found himself battling with Husaberg’s Ollie Moyce for the duration of the day. Eventually beating Moyce by over eleven seconds he finished the day in seventh place overall and second in the Under 23’s class. The second day was a repeat of the first with Wood engaging in a lengthy battle with Moyce but unlike the previous day a small mistake on the fourth test mid day threatened to give the lead away to Moyce. Fortunately for Ashley or unfortunately for Ollie he had a huge crash towards the end of the day which dropped him down to nineteenth place and handed Ashley eighth position. In the Expert Class team mate Daniel McCanney was having a battle all of his own but rather than with another rider it was with himself. Whereas McCanney has usually been quick to get ‘into the groove’ he struggled to stay focused on the first day and was forced to settle for second behind Jonny Walker. Disappointed with his result he started the second day determined to take first place and that’s exactly what he did; dominating the rest of the class McCanney finished over thirty seconds ahead of his closest rival and looked to have returned to his usual form.

Ashley Wood: “I always enjoy the Knighton but this year it’s been even better than usual. The course has been really good and the tests were good fun. I’m happy with my result on Saturday; I fought hard to beat Ollie all day so to come away in front of him with seventh is great. Sunday was the same again really; I got into another fight with Ollie and he took the lead when I crashed on the fourth test. When he crashed it was a shame because I was enjoying the chase but it gave me eighth place so I’m happy. Coming away second in the Under 23’s class and third in E2 class on both days is fantastic. Thanks to John Shirt Jnr, Steve Plain and Rob Sartin for all their continued help!”

Daniel McCanney: “It’s been a bitter sweet weekend for me to be honest. I don’t know why but I just couldn’t get my head into gear on the first day and my test times suffered. I really wanted to take the Expert Class win on both days but second was all I could manage on Saturday. Sunday was much better and I rode quite well; my bike was awesome and the tests were good so I was happy to come away with the class win. Overall it was a positive weekend but I’m still disappointed about Saturday.”

Results: Championship Class Day 1: 1: David Knight (KTM); 2: Greg Evans (KTM); 3: Daryl Bolter (KTM); 4: Tom Sagar (Suzuki); 5: Paul Edmondson (Suzuki); 7: Ashley Wood (Gas Gas)

Day 2: 1: David Knight (KTM); 2: Daryl Bolter (KTM); 3: Alex Rockwell (Husqvarna); 4: Euan McConnell (KTM); 5: Paul Edmondson (Suzuki); 8: Ashley Wood (Gas Gas)

Expert Class Day 1: 1: Jonny Walker (KTM); 2: Daniel McCanney (Gas Gas); 3: Gavin Houson (KTM); 4: Arran Poolman (Husaberg); 5: James Giddings (KTM)

Day 2: 1: Daniel McCanney (Gas Gas); 2: Gavin Houson (KTM); 3: Arran Poolman (Husaberg); 4: Jonny Walker (KTM); 5: Alun Jones

Picture Credit (Daniel McCanney) – Jonty Edmunds