To stop or not to stop...
By John Dickinson on 3rd May 13
Well, the World Trials Champs has enterered its brave new world of no-stop observing and as predicted by those who have been around a while it actually made little difference to the end result.
The reason for this is blindingly simple - the cream always floats to the top!
Nothing upsets people more than change. It is a natural reaction and many riders have been almost panicking at the thought of a change in the rules.
What the top guys are really worried about is any rule changes losing them their advantage, the thought that maybe they will be beaten.
They give no thought to the benefits or even drawbacks to the sport, their viewpoints are purely selfish. Will it cost them money!
As I say, it is a natural reaction, they earn their living from the sport and anything that threatens their status is a bad thing – for them.
Of course, the (anonymous) keyboard warriors have been out in force, slagging off the FIM and no-stop – having watched a few carefully selected clips on the Interweb.
Everyone's entitled to their point of view – but it's always best to ensure you are in posession of the facts before venting your spleen.
It's easy-peasy to slag-off the FIM, to a keyboard warrior ‘they' are a faceless organisation and you can point your blunderbuss and blaze away.
But the FACT is that the no-stop rules were introduced at the REQUEST of the manufacturers, without whom there would be no World Championship OR professional riders.
We are all well aware that the factory riders don't want change but – for them to wash and hang their dirty linen in public, as happened at the
Japanese press conference, is called biting the hand that feeds you!
Opponents to no-stop like to yell that it will cause arguments with observers over whether a rider stopped or not.
Like others, I've been around for many years and believe me there have ALWAYS been arguments (sorry, differences of opinion!) between riders and observers.
I've even had the occasional exchange of ignorance myself as a rider – back in the ORIGINAL days of no stop. Not that it got me anywhere, Dot Cordingley won the point at a canter - and as Dot was the observer that was exactly as it should be! I'm not bitter!
Trials is not a race, it relies on the judgment of a third party and that judgment is subjective.
I am not saying that no-stop is a cure-all, or even that it is right. But it is the rule and, like it or not, and riders must get on with it and stop bleating.
I have spoken with several people (those without an axe to grind) who were present at the Japanese world round and general opinion was that it was a well attended, very positive event.
But that won't stop the carpers...
