It's going to be Tough in 2009!
By TMX Archives on 18th Dec 08
The Tough One, that is, and Sheffield, Hawkstone, Liverpool and a host of other fantastic events...
Before heading-off home to crack open a party pack of Stella to celebrate having survived another year, T+MX editor JD takes a final look back at 2008 before pressing the Fast Forward button to 2009...
MERRY Christmas everybody!
And as 2008 races rapidly to a close, I really do mean that most sincerely. You don't need me to tell you that the last six months have been one of almost unparalleled fiscal upheaval in the world – certainly as far as most of us can remember. We can blame the bankers and policy-makers and politicians and anyone else in the chain that we like but the bottom line is that the crap lands on Joe Bloggs at the bottom of the pile and we just have to get on with it.
And get on with it we will. We are nothing if not resilient and there are an awful lot of things that we'll give up before we stop riding bikes. The off-road trade has always been amazingly adaptable as well. There are always good times and bad times but, through it all, it is amazing how many of the off-road stalwarts stick at it.
So, with 2008 now all but behind us the best thing to do – once Christmas is over – is pile into 2009 with a vengeance!
And there will be plenty to get piled into! As early as Saturday, January 3, Britain gets its first dose of International action with the annual Sheffield Arena Trial. Sheffield is back as the opening round of the World Indoor Championship and features only the very best riders in the world. Included are two Brits, Dougie Lampkin, who is the most successful trials rider ever when it comes to world titles and Michael Brown who would love to elevate himself to Doug's level. Sheffield is the ONLY chance to see the top boys Indoors in Britain and it remains a top spectacle.
Just a couple of weeks later comes The Tough One Enduro. Like Sheffield, The Tough One is a Johnny Come Lately when it comes to events but is simply providing what people want! Not many events would get several thousand people to travel into the middle of north Wales, in January, to watch bikes – but The Tough One does. Last year was a cracking day out and there's no reason why this year won't be even better. Also in January will be the Future West Supercross meetings at Liverpool and London. Liverpool made an excellent debut this year with a double-header weekend and I understand that tickets are flying for London at the O2 – cracking London could just prove to be a real breakthrough...
Moving on just a month or so there's the prospect of not one but TWO Inter-national MXs at Hawkstone Park. Not entirely convinced that two big events in a single month at the same venue makes total sense but who am I to argue at the enthusiasm of the promoters – two different promoters I must make clear!
2008 was actually something of a golden year for International MX in Britain and one that it will be difficult to top! First Gareth Hockey staged an MXGP at Mallory Park and then came the icing on the cake, the Motocross des Nations at Donington, courtesy of the Donington management. Now, I don't intend to debate the ins and outs of road-race venues for MX – life's too short – but I attended both events and I'll stand up and say I'm glad that I did – and would do so again. Of course they weren't perfect but against all the odds Mallory was an exciting day.
The British GP is the only one I got to see and I was proud of the British riders and privileged to see someone of Cairoli's exceptional skill. Ditto later in the year when Donington came up with a super track (again, against all the critics' pre-event knocking) for the Nations and how often do you get the chance to see Stewart and Villopoto? If you are like me the answer is not often, so maybe I am prepared to turn a blind eye, occasionally. Yes, I could have stayed at home and watched it all on telly – but what memories are there to be had in that! I can still picture Cairoli scrubbing the Mallory jumps and Villopoto levelling the Donington whoops – which is exactly why I went.
Just as a point of interest I also went to Donington for the MotoGP and dossed down overnight with the beer ‘n' burger camping dudes. I could have done it VIP-style but my life is with the fans, not the prawn sandwich hospitality mob.
So once again chaps and chapesses, please enjoy your jolly Christmas issue of T+MX as we fondly look back on the 2008 season and then... let's get stuck into 2009... All the very best!