DUNLOP ULTIMATE BIKER 2005
29 July 2005 - Dunlop

Finalists put to the test over two intense days in Wales

Twenty-three self-confessed bike nuts took to two wheels in Wales this week in the opening events of the 2005 Dunlop Ultimate Biker competition.

Dunlop launched the programme on the internet at the end of March and had received over 1000 entries at the close. These were whittled down to a core group by a gruelling on-line examination and the finalists were invited to compete over a range of disciplines.

STAGE ONE - YAMAHA OFF ROAD EXPERIENCE

Proceedings opened at the Yamaha Off-Road experience deep in the Welsh countryside where the riders were under the experienced eyes of ten times British Enduro Champion and eight times ISDE gold medallist Geraint Jones and his team.

The opening address and welcome was given by Dunlop Motorcycle Sales and Marketing manager Reg Davis who then handed the reins to Rowan Jones and the specialist team.

Candidates were divided into two groups of twelve and were given a deep insight into the world of enduro riding on a very arduous, well-planned route.
Instruction was given on technique; they were subjected to mechanical aptitude tests in which they were expected to find deliberate faults with a machine.

For many of the competitors, riding headlong into a hail of flints was a totally new experience and many emerged with bruised knuckles and swollen fingers.

An important part of the off-road test was a purpose-built moto-cross track designed to stretch the ability of any serious off-roader. On the return of group one, smiling but exhausted faces told the story and one competitor was heard to say ''That is the most fun I''ve had with my clothes on''.

The final test was a personal interview designed to identify character traits and the strengths and possible weaknesses within the candidates. This ''on the spot'' interview also highlighted which competitors could handle intense media questioning, a skill they will need should they progress to Moto1.

Group two was eager to get to grips with the terrain and were soon attacking the shale-ridden climbs and rock strewn mountain trails. Their return carried many of the same comments, ''That was unbelievable, I have learned so much. I was really worried about riding on loose stuff but now I feel great''.

At the end of the first day, the points situation showed a tie for first place between Gavin Greathead and Eliot Forsey with Gavin emerging as series leader of the Dunlop Ultimate Biker series after a five-question tie-break at dinner.

STAGE TWO - HARLEY DAVIDSON RIDER''S EDGE

Day two dawned wet but the competitors enthusiasm was high as they rode from Llandrindod Wells to the Royal Welsh Show-ground at Builth Wells.

Here, Jonathan Halliday, principal of the Harley Davidson Rider''s Edge Academy, met them. He presented contestants with a totally new window on the world of motorcycling with a range of tests involving written theory, low speed control, a road cruise in convoy and exposure to the mechanical intricacies of the wide Harley Davidson range.

Riders were divided into four groups of six and the day was spent rotating the groups around the four main disciplines.

A separate but integral part of the day was a ''first rider on the scene'' mock-up accident test. This module was operated by the Lancashire Ambulance Service and simulated a typical situation of a car having been driven across the path of a motorcyclist. The candidate was judged and marked on his reaction, response and general handling of the scene including a live telephone call to the Ambulance HQ reporting the incident.

This was a fascinating and informative module and prompted numerous positive comments. James Cawdell was one of many who were very impressed. ''That was just brilliant. I''ve been in accidents before and it''s a case of - well - panic! To have this sort of instruction is a real eye-opener''.

The ride-out consisted of one hour on mixed roads using a cocktail of ''V Rods'', Buells, Fat Boys and Lightnings. In the slow manoeuvrability test it was a case of balancing and manhandling 370KG of Ultraglide round obstacles designed to trap the unwary. Again, the comments were extremely complimentary and Harley Davidson earned considerable ''brownie points'' from the seasoned bikers.

At the end of the opening two days, the twenty-four competitors in the 2005 Dunlop Ultimate Biker were eagerly looking forward to the next stage of the competition.

Dunlop Ultimate Biker Day One Top Rider Gavin GREATHEAD
Dunlop Ultimate Biker Day Two Top Rider Peter EATON

Dunlop Ultimate Biker Overall Leader Eliot FORSEY

Rounds three and four of Dunlop Ultimate Biker take place on 21/22nd August at the Institute of Advanced Motorists and California Superbike School respectively.

The top six from the competition will then go into a more intense test session, with the top three entering Moto1 in October.

www.dunloptyres.co.uk

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