Is no-stop rules the way forward?

Posted on 29th November 2011 | Added to Links, Opinion. 0 comments

Do you think the ACU were right to change to no-stop rules for the 2012 British Trials Championship?

Have your say here.

World outdoor trials championship - round 2

Posted on 07th April 2008 | Added to Opinion, Results. 0 comments

Bangor was the stage for the second round of the outdoor world trials championship today. Quick results were as follows

1. A.Raga - 21
2. T.Bou - 28
3. T.Fujinami - 36

Click here for full results

So as you can see this time is was Raga’s turn to stand on top of the podium and this puts him and Bou level on 37 points in the championship. Clearly this year is going to be mega tight between the two Spaniards and it looks as though it’s going to be a bit of a two horse race. Fujigas will no doubt be pleased to make up the podium again. Other then that the results are quite similar to the first round.

It’s great to see Wiggy take the Juniors in such convincing fashion as well, and a good second place for Sam Haslam.

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Finally underway

Posted on 01st April 2008 | Added to Opinion. 0 comments

So I finally have something to blog about again as the past weekend saw the opening round of the Outdoor World Trials Championship, held in Luxembourg. Looking at the results there’s no surprises with who came out on top, with TOni Bou going into the opening round as hot favourite. Although Raga pushed him close, he didn’t disappoint and came out on top. Takahisa Fujinami and Dougie Lampkin had a close battle to make up the final podium place with Fujigas just getting the edge over his former team mate.

I have to admit I was slightly surprised when the first lap scores first hit the net I was a little surprised to see Dougie, Fuji and Bou all tied on the same marks. It was a pleasant surprise though, as I would absolutely love to see Lampkin get that 100th GP win. I was also slightly surprised not to see Cabestany pushing Raga and Bou a little more after a good indoor series. I fully expect to see him improve on this opening result in future rounds though.

Dabill and Brown finished 8th and 9th respectively. I think Brown will be pleased with 9th on his debut ride as he took out some experienced championship riders. A great start for him to try and build on in what is sure to be a learning season for him. Dabill on the other hand I think will be slightly disappointed not to be up there pushing the like of Fajardo and Freixa a little harder. For sure he will be mixing it up with them in future rounds.

Also worth noting is Wiggy’s win in the Junior championship. Again he took out some tough competition and I can see it being an interesting class this year with 3 or 4 riders all capable of winning rounds. It’s good to see he has adapted to the new bike and got off to a winning start and lets just hope he can continue this impressive start.

As I said above, finally the trials season is starting to get back into full flow, so hopefully there should be a little more to shout about on Trialsblog.

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Gas Gas 4-stroke photos

Posted on 12th November 2007 | Added to Links, Opinion, Bikes, Trials photos. 0 comments

Gas Gas have finally shown off their much anticipated 4-stroke model at the recent Milan show. You can see them here.

I have to say my first impression of the machine is very positive. I enjoy riding the Gas Gas due to it’s light feel and the fact it’s so easy to maneuver in tight, tricky sections. I like the red frame and am warming to the white plastics, although I would probably chuck on a red front mud guard to go with my red rims that I currently ride with. The engine looks very tidy and compact, which is nice to see and hopefully this means that the 4T model won’t be too dissimilar to the 2 stroke in terms of weight. I can’t wait to get hold of more details regarding the bike spec. I can’t see any mention of these details, not even engine capacity, which would be nice to know. No mention on when to expect these bikes to hit the market either, although I can’t see them rushing it.

More details soon hopefully.

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Who’s going where?

Posted on 14th September 2007 | Added to Opinion. 0 comments

So with the 2007 world championships over and done with there’s little left of the 2007 trials season for the top professionals, with the exception of the Spanish Championship. So with this is mind it won’t be long before we start to hear shouts and rumours emerging from various corners of the world as to which riders will move to which team.

I think the obvious one that is on most people’s minds would have to be Dougie Lampkin. With his contract at Montesa due to run out, where next for the legendary trials rider? I wouldn’t mind seeing him back on the Beta, flying the flag for their 4-stroke model. If Dougie does indeed leave (although theres nothing saying he won’t sign another contract with them but I have noticed he isn’t in ANY of the new team photos promoting next years bike) who would be the man to fill his boots? It would take a brave rider to try the impossible task of replacing a trials legend. I could see having all top 3 riders in the world at your team being an ideal for Montesa but personally can’t see how they would manage if Raga was to come in due to the rivalry between him and Bou for the championship. Although saying that Dougie and Fuji managed for a while didn’t they? They were even good friends.

Then of course we have the new Xispa coming to town. Who’s going to ride that? I wouldn’t mind betting someone like Adam Raga or Jeroni Fajardo could jump on board the latest bike to hit the market but thats just a wild guess and really just something I would quite like to see. I don’t know how long any of the riders contracts are at their current teams, so this could be and probably is, utter dribble but it’s a bit of fun.

So what about the likes of James Dabill? Admit-ably he’s already at one of the biggest teams in the world championship paddock and the only real way up from there would, dare I say be to the top dog Repsol Montesa-HRC team? I would have thought he would be attracting a lot of attention over the summer from various teams as he looks to break into the top 5 or 6 next year. once again I must say though that I don’t know the length of contract signed with his current team.

Feel free to share any thoughts on what riders you could see moving. I can see it being an interesting build up to the start of the World Indoor Trials Championship.

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