Nations was a Spanish stroll

For trials fans the big one is the Trial des Nations but overall this gets mixed-up with the much larger Motocross des Nations - and this year the MXdN was HUGE with a massive crowd packing the super sandy venue at Lommel in Belgium.

 

I've argued many times that these two major International events should not clash as it is simply not fair on the trial, having to compete on the reportage front with such a massive event as the MXdN. The trial is never ever going to get the coverage it deserves on the National front.

 

And this year there was also a clash with the International Six Days Enduro which was actually a big deal to the Brits with the Junior Trophy Team in with a real shout of victory - and the whole squad aiming for Gold medals - especially former trials ace Paul Edmondson who eventually collected his 18th ISDE Gold.

 

It just seems crazy to me that with 52 weeks in the year the three biggest events in all three off-road disciplines all take place on the same weekend.

 

But, we are where we are and so the trial once more went up against the big guns.

 

On the mens front the TdN has become so predictable as to be non competitive. The all conquering Spanish squad won by almost 100 marks which is simply forever.

 

We have been waiting a long time for the mainstays of this team to retire and give the rest of us a chance but there's life left in both senior members, Albert Cabestany and Adam Raga while Toni Bou and Jeroni Fajardo are still mere youngsters. 

 

Just at the moment though there's no obvious replacements coming through - at least not of the Raga and Cabestany calibre so there is just a glimmer of hope on the horizon. I wouldn't get too excited just yet though...

 

So while there was little joy to be had on that front it was again a different story with our girls although sadly with the same outcome.

 

Becky Cook, Emma Bristow and this year Donna Fox, making a welcome return to the International front, once again gave it their all and but for one or two small mistakes could easily have been standing on top of the 

podium in Switzerland.

 

You just can't take it away from the phenomenom that is Laia Sanz though. Even though the Barcelona girl is now taking long distance events like the Dakar Rally as her main focus she still reigns supreme on the trials front, having moved effortlessly from the factory four-stroke Honda to the two stroke Gas Gas.

 

I can't believe that Honda let her go  - especially as they have just launched a Dakar bike of their own for 2013.

 

Who would have been better to promote the new model than the best female rider in the world?

 

Laia has led the women's revolution in trials and she continues to be its shining star.