Congratulations to the new 2010 Junior world trials champion Jack Challoner. As I have previously stated I see Jack as possibly the most improved rider this season at both home and abroad. In the world championship series he has taken the massive leap which now sees him deal with the pressure in a totally different manner. He stays calm and with the support around him from the Top Trials Team “family” he has proved he can deliver. The problem for Jack now is what does he do next year, is he ready for the Pro class? I personally think he needs to make the move, the sooner the better. He is fit and strong enough to tackle these hazards and just needs to understand the technique to attempt them. The big problem is the infrastructure needed to compete against the bigger teams.

Finance in the current economic climate is an obvious problem as is the case in finding a team to allow him to compete full time with a minder, mechanic, team manager and general dog’s body required. In the two British championship rounds he has ridden he has proved that he could possibly challenge for top honours in 2011, at the Brimham Rocks British championship round he proved him-self able to ride at that level, all he needs is to give it 100% in training during the winter months and I am sure we will have another challenger for the British championship.

This weekend sees the Trial Des Nations take place in Poland. Last year our team of Becky Cook, Emma Bristow and Joanne Coles did us proud to take the win. This year sees the team remain the same and I see no reason why then cannot take another win. As for the men they have a strong team in James Dabill, Dougie Lampkin, Micheal Brown and Alexz Wigg. They have not won since 2003, the big problems being Spain. When you have four riders from the top five in the team from the world championship series it’s always going to be difficult but you never know.

On the subject of the ladies once again we see Spain’s Laia Sanz take another world title taking her total to ten! This is a tremendous record; imagine if it was any other sport. This year has seen the main challenge come from Joanne Coles and Becky Cook, not forgetting Emma Bristow’s excellent third place in France. We appear to be able to challenge for a world crown in 2011 with maybe one of the British girls mentioned. Just remember our home girls do not have the mighty Montesa factory support behind them and so there results are well deserved for all concerned. But do not let this take any credit away from Laia, she is one of the most popular riders in our sport and deserves all the credit she gets.

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