Geoff Aaron Sweeps Tennessee

Shan Moore | April 18, 2005

Geoff Aaron claimed a pair of wins at rounds three and four of the AMA/NATC U.S. National Trials Series held at the 660-acre Trials Training Center facility near Sequatchie, Tennessee, over the weekend.

The ERE/Gas Gas-pilot’s ability to read the terrain was the difference in the contest, as the defending champion used strong opening laps on the very demanding, 12-section course, then held off advances by South African Bruce le Riche and Florida’s Chris Florin, en route to the back-to-back wins. Le Riche grabbed the runner-up spot on Saturday, ahead of Florin, with the two swapping positions on Sunday.

The Tennessee course was a considerable change from rounds one and two held a week before in Texas, which was dry and somewhat easy. In Tennessee, the riders were confronted with very tricky and slippery creek beds with fast moving water and demanding rock walls and gaps. Aaron normally shines in tough events, and did so during the early going each day, but was matched almost ride for ride by le Riche and Florin during the later laps.

With four rounds in the books, Aaron carries a 14-point lead over le Riche, 115-101. Florin sits in third with 82