True home of the trials bike
By John Dickinson on 17th Jan 14
Hands-up all those who were surprised that Dougie Lampkin had parted with Gas Gas after three eminently successful years and chosen to sign-up to develop what will be an all-new Spanish designed and built trials bike.
No? Just me then!
And this, despite the fact that I actually knew quite a bit that was going on in downtown Catalonia as I had been made privvy to some of the behind-the-scenes activities – but not to be divulged until the gentleman behind it all gave the nod.
As some people can confirm, I am able to keep a secret when it is necesary, although it does
somewhat fly in the face of what I do for a living!
What I failed to do was put two and two together and make four. I guess I'm so used to it making five that I failed to see the bleeding obvious.
I must admit to having a chuckle at some of the subsequent interweb postings.
There really are people out there who genuinely believe they know more than the factories do about what they are doing.
Some clearly know far more than Doug himself about his new employer, his new role and all about the bike. I know this because Doug told me.
What is it about Catalans and the urge to build trials bikes? The old Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa concerns were built-up in spite of manufacturing restrictions brought about because of the Franco political regime.
Post-Franco the same factories ironically disappeared, only to be eventually replaced by the likes of Gas Gas and Sherco – and although the latter was the branchild of a Frenchman, it still came about because of the enthusiasm of the Catalans.
More recently we have seen the emergence of an all-new Ossa followed by the even newer Jotagas, which included the presence of seven times World Champ Jordi Tarres.
Jordi is now no longer associated with the marque that bears his initials – but there are plenty of rumours to the effect that he is shortly to launch yet another Catalan trials machine.
On top of that there is the Vertigo project in which Dougie is now involved and which, in my humble opionion, stands more chance than most of long-term success.
I remember once remarking to John Shirt Sr about the "enthusiasm” of the Catalans and John, from his outpost in a snowed-in Buxton, drily remarked that it was relatively easy to be "enthused” about trials bikes, with guaranteed blue skies and the sun on your back each morning.
I took his point.
However, there are plenty of sunny spots in the world but only in the Barcelona/ Girona region do so many people get up and shout, "I'm going to build a trials motorcycle...”
And then crack on and do it.
