Written by Heath, image thanks to Ian at pics4all.co.uk
Friday, 26 February 2010 20:41
Michael's 2010 Sherco ST
For 2010 Michael is once again riding MRS Sherco machinery, but this year it is aboard the brand new Sherco ST. The bike stands apart from other machinery by having the fuel tank next to the rear silencer and the airbox is now up where the fuel tank is traditionally located. A totally new chassis and revised suspension, plus works tweaks such as the red 28mm Dellorto, give Michael a top package with which to contend for honours at British and World level.
Michael's 2009 season gallery.
Written by Heath
Friday, 09 October 2009 17:51
Huge thanks to Ian Cross for putting together this gallery video from the shots he has taken of Michael throughout the 2009 season. ...
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Last Updated on Friday, 09 October 2009 17:56
Summer round up...
Written by Heath
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 12:42
A summer of competition, practicing and bike development has left Michael little time to keep us up to date with all his movements, so a quick round up of results is needed. In the World outdoor Championship Michael had two 11th place finishes in the two rounds held in Japan, followed by a couple of 10th's in Italy and Andorra. The final two rounds in Spain and France resulted in a pair of 12th places to enable Michael to end the year in 10th overall in the FIM World Championship. A full break down of the Championship can be found at www.trialonline.org. In the British Championship Michael is holding second place, behind his close mate James Dabill, going into the last round in Kent later this month. Michael has taken his MRS Sherco to a top 3 finish in every round so far this year, and he took 2nd at the last round (the Mckenzie) to stay 6 points ahead of Alexz Wigg in the championship table.. 12 points behind Dibs. Michael also took 2nd place in the very popular North Berks mcc supertrial held in August. He had led after the first round but was beaten into the runner up spot by that man Dabill in the final. Michael also took part in the massive, unique French urban trial in Cahors with all the world regulars. Michael's next event was as part of the British team at the TDN, and a brilliant 2nd place finish for the team was the result... sadly for Michael James Dabill took the points he needed to win the British Championship, with Michael finishing runner up overall for the second year running.
Last Updated on Friday, 09 October 2009 17:44
British Championship, Rd 5. Ruby Rocks, Devon
Written by Heath.. image by Heath
Monday, 15 June 2009 22:33
Broken cloud and sunshine greeted the riders for the 5th round of this years British Championship, held near Bovey Tracey in Devon. The Ruby Rocks venue presented a different type of terrain than that used for the last few rounds as all the sections were set out in the river that runs down the gully in the woods. The water was running over the green rocks in many of the sections, but the trial really went down to just one section ... number 4. Michael managed to drop 11 marks in this section over the three laps, two threes and a five. Apart from that section he didn't really have any major problems. Pune had to rush at the end of the first lap as time was tight, and he then stayed in front of the other top lads for the rest of the day. The last lap was his best, with a 3 on section four and then a slack 2 on the next section ... he then went clean from there. Although this wasn't enough to get the better of Alexz Wigg, and Michael had to settle for runner up this time out.
" I am fairly happy with my riding today but i still made some mistakes. When the trial is on the easy side, like today, then you cannot make mistakes. I had some problems on section 4 today and that has cost me the win. Still i have closed the gap in the championship to 6 points which i have to be happy about. I would like to thank Shaughan, Malc and all the team for their help over the weekend"
Mitchell Trial, ACU British Championship
Written by Heath.. image by Heath
Sunday, 31 May 2009 22:41
South Wales proved to be very sunny and hot for this years Mitchell trial, so sections in the quarry where very dry and grippy. Michael started well with a clean on section 2 where many of the other top riders were struggling. He then had to push out of section 3 when he became stuck on the cambered banking. Things improved as he remained clean until his bogey section, number 7. Disaster struck after the hard part of the section, Michael came to turn the corner but stalled the bike and had to put a foot down... a poor five on the card. He got going again well though with a clean on the hard ninth, a tricky triple step at the start of the section causing most problems for the riders, and a further two on 11.... Pune was placed 3rd at the end of the first lap, 2 behind wiggy and 1 behind dibs. The 2nd lap started well for Michael, he had a quick dab on the 2nd hazard, cleaned the 3rd with a new direct line and had a three on 7 and a dab on 11. With dibs having a lap of 12 wiggy was still leading after a lap of 4 so all was to play for! .. Michael was riding right at the front of the championship riders and just cracked on with the last lap. He cleaned 2 again, had a very needed dab on section three but then stayed clean right untill 11 where he had another dab. Michael then had to wait for wiggy to come in!!!!.. That last lap of 2 marks proved to be the winner as he took victory from Alexz by 3 marks.
" I am very pleased with my riding today and the result is a much better one. The trial has been a little on the easy side, so it was important not to make mistakes today. I would like to thank shaughan and malc for minding today and all my team for their support over the weekend.
I fly to japan on tuesday with shaughan (minder) and mechanic Dan for the world championship weekend"
