Irish TdN going for a Burton!
By TMX Archives on 26th Aug 09
THE Ulster pair of Gareth Andrews and Andrew Perry, along with Dubliners Sean Doyle and Michael Burton, make-up the Irish team going to the annual Trial des Nations in Italy, on September 20/ 21. This quartet possesses a wealth of talent and has experienced world team events in previous years.
Andrews and Perry are former Ulster champions, while Doyle is in the unique position of being the first Southern Centre rider to win the Ulster and Irish titles in the same season. Three-times an Irish champion, Burton had to contend with a knee-problem last winter but he's now fully fit and ready for the Italian trip.
"There's bit of an old-guard look about this squad,” said trials supremo, Billy Rodgers, who has been associated with this sort of competition for the past 20-years. "Now, I've decided it's time to step down,” added Rodgers. "However, I'll still be taking a keen interest because my son David is this year's Irish steward. "Our best result in Italy was a third in Group B back in 2004 while the following year we were fourth in Andorra. In those days ten-teams made-up Group A with the remaining countries, and that could be as many as 20, making-up Group B.
"This year there's just five countries including Spain and Great Britain making-up an Elite Group. The remaining countries, including Ireland, will be in Group B.”
Said Davy Rodgers, "We will be striving for a podium finish and with a little luck we can do it.” It's important to be seen to be taking part in this event, which is often referred to as the ‘Olympics of Motorcycling'.
"In fact Ireland was offered the opportunity to host the Trial des Nations but due to the prohibitive costs we could not proceed,” concluded Rodgers, who was the clerk of the course for the Irish round of the World Trials Championship earlier this year in Newcastle.