GREAT BRITAIN ARE FIM WOMEN'S TDN CHAMPIONS
By TMX Archives on 21st Sep 09
Great Britain are the FIM Women's Trial Des Nations champions once again after narrowly defeating Spain by a single mark following a day long battle of nerves. Britain were the winners in 2006 and 2007, but were demoted to third place last year. However the new trio of Rebekah Cook - Sherco, Joanne Coles - Gas Gas and Emma Bristow - Gas Gas bounced back to take their third team title earlier today, and in doing so now match the record set by Spain.
The Italian spa town of Darfo Boario Terme was the scene of today's competition with nine female teams battling it out over two laps of fourteen sections situated round and about the nearby wooded areas. Warm weather and no rain throughout the trial meant the hazards were dry and perhaps a little easier than expected.
There was nothing to separate Spain and Great Britain after the opening lap, with the two favourites locked on five marks a piece. Laia Sanz - Repsol Montea HRC, Mireia Conde - Beta and Sandra Gomez - Gas Gas had made the early running, but a five mark loss in section twelve saw them fall level with their great rivals.
Last year's runners up Germany, consisting of Iris Kramer - Gas Gas, Rosita Leotta - Gas Gas and Ina Wilde - Sherco were a clear third at the halfway point, nineteen marks ahead of Norway.
The final outcome of the tense and exciting contest between Spain and Great Britain was ultimately decided in section twelve on the second lap, where the eventual winners recorded a score two marks better than their rivals, who had headed the trial for most of the day. Germany completed the podium, whilst France moved in front of Norway in the closing stages to claim fouth spot.
Speaking on behalf of Great Britain Emma Bristow stated. "We knew we had a good chance, but with the trial being easy we also knew it was going to be close. We were a little nervous to begin with, but despite this I think we all rode well. It was a great feeling coming out of the final section, especiallly as this is my first time in the team."
Expressing her reaction to Spain's result Laia Sanz said. "Obviously we are disappointed as we thought we could win, but in the end I think we have been unlucky. The trial was just about two sectons, so maybe this is not the best way to decide the winner. Despite this I think we can be happy how we have ridden and how we have worked together as a team. Maybe next year we can win again."
Iris Kramer acted as spokesperson for Germany. "We always knew it was going to be difficult to beat Spain and Britain, especially today as both teams rode really well. Our day was decided in section twelve on both laps. On the first lap, we put ourselves out of contention here, and on the second lap we dropped further away from the two leading teams than we had hoped."
Results:
2009 FIM Women's Trial Des Nations
1: Great Britain 9
2: Spain 10
3: Germany 21
4: France 53
5: Norway 66
6: Italy 115
7: Australia 123
8: USA 196
9: Portugal 241
Previous winners Women's TdN
2000 – Spain
2001 – Norway
2002 – Spain
2003 – Germany
2004 – France
2005 – Germany
2006 – Great Britain
2007 – Great Britain
2008 – Spain