Dutch delight
Nearly a century ago, Holland, like the UK, had a fine reputation for running tough, well-supported reliability trials for motorcycles. And, like Britain, the Dutch had their leading amateur and factory riders, including Jacs Brunt and Fonck – both supported by the motorcycle trade on Douglas 2¾hp machines – and leading amateur H Fels (7-9hp Harley-Davidson sidecar) from The Hague, who planned to ride in the 1921 Scottish Six Days Trial.
Despite the strength of the Dutch team, the ACU was certain of victory, proudly (and presumptuously) displaying the NMV Beker trophy awarded to the winning country at a dinner it hosted in January 1920. With Holland victorious in 1912 and Britain the following year, it was honours even and all to play for, as the winner of the 1920 Anglo-Dutch trial would keep the trophy.
On paper, the British team had the edge, with a sound nine-man amateur team and many well known ‘works’ riders in the trade team, including Brooklands and trials men H V ‘Bert’ Colver and E B ‘Eddie’ Ware (both 8hp Matchless outfits) and Kaye Don, 6hp Zenith. The ‘trials’ boys included Douglas-supported men H P
