Trial Magazine Forum

Last week-end was a real pleasure for me as it revolved around the French world championship round. After the Cattle Market experience at the John Lennon International airport at Liverpool it was the short flight to Geneva and then a three hour drive to the event in extremely hot conditions in France.

When we arrived it was so good to see so many British people out there both riding and spectating. It was a quick walk around the paddock to say the usual hellos, some thing to eat and then an early night.

It was a bright and early start as the first day, Saturday hosted the opening round of this years Ladies world championship. Great Britain has strong support here with our home grown talent in the way of Becky Cook, Joanne Coles, Emma Bristow and the youngest Hannah Styles. In the baking heat I sat and waited for “our” riders to arrive at the sections and they did not disappoint. Laia Sanz is the “Queen” in this category but the talent we have made me really proud to be British. All the girls made it home to finish in points scoring rides which is a credit to them, the fact we had three of the girls in the top four was amazing, and don’t forget Hannah Styles coming home in a very creditable thirteenth position. The talent of Joanne Coles finishing in second place has definitely got the foreigners talking and if her progress continues it could well mature into greater things. As for Emma Bristow’s first visit to the podium at this level, “Good on ya”.

Saturday night would see some amazing scenes in the paddock as the heavens opened with rain, thunder and lighting leaving the area under several inches of water, the Top Trial Team camp were presented with there own swimming pool, ask Jack Challoner, Alexz Wigg or Jack Sheppard next time you see them, Mike Smiths truck had the consolation of the paddling pool!

We awoke on Sunday to what would once again be a boiling hot day. The event was in my opinion way to hard with the sections way to long for the time limit of one minute. I hate to say this but how long do we wait for a serious injury to a rider, it really was that hard. Yes it is the world championship but some times common sense must prevail.

It was fantastic to see Jack Sheppard stood so proud on the top step of the podium as he won the Youth class but I am not sure about his choice of sunglasses!!

In the Junior category Jack Challoner never looked settled all day but George Morton’s tenth place was very good news. Witnessing Jonathan Richardson’s horrendous crash was not good as he and the machine bounced back from quite a great height. Despite wanting to continue the medics said no as he appeared to have quite severe swelling to his ankle area, a trip to the local hospital at a cost of 120 Euros confirmed this.

In the main event Bou was once again incredible but what about Dougie Lampkin’s result. The never say die attitude has stood him well in the past but at Sundays event he showed incredible spirit. His experience allows him to understand the sections so well; his new line on section thirteen was incredible to see. Deciding the massive step was too risky he braved a “wall of death” approach which resulted in a superb single mark effort leaving him in fourth place after the opening lap, just remember how much older he is than his rivals, the fifth place finish was a well deserved result.

Just before I finish I would like to thank the organisers for providing the excellent taxi service to the sections, John Shirt Jnr for driving the hire car, Martin Harvey for the entertainment on Saturday night – top man, Mike Smith from Mial Coach Builders and Alexz Wigg for the generous hospitality shown during the week-end, thank you.