Ladies First!
By Barry Robinson on 11th Jan 07
THE world of female trialling could be a scene of serious conflict - but it isn't. These girls can get really fired up in a section, and they do.
But having followed the rise of female trials in Britain and watched the action it does seem like a big happy family playing on bikes and generally having fun. Does that create an impression of a party? The top and bottom is that they are all actually as keen as mustard. Forget the demure smile and the twinkling eyes. That just masks a steely determination to win at all costs, a dab is a disaster.
Towering above all others is Laia Sanz. In a class of her own, Miss Sanz is an exception to the norm. Her practice of riding in anything, at any level, against anyone, has elevated her to the rank of world champion - seven times no less. Her exit from the Scottish Six Days Trial, last May, when she was involved in a road traffic incident was a tragedy when holding 29th place out of 272 starters up to Thursday and her exit.
But the Brits do excel, in abundance. In the French round of the 2006 Women's World Championship Becky Cook and Donna Fox were third and fourth, with Becky only seven marks down on Laia.
Maria Conway, Youth champ Emma Bristow and Ulster's fiery Sasha Turkington all scored points. Katy Sunter and Saskia Baxter just missed out.
The final World standings, calculated after two out of three events, gave Becky third behind German ace Iris Kramer. Donna was fifth and Maria seventh. Katy, Emma and Sasha were 13th downwards - six Brits in the top fifteen.
The Trial des Nations result was brilliant. The trio of Maria, Becky and Donna were just too strong for the rest of the field. The girls went to win, no question, and they did.
For full story see T+MX NEWS, Friday, January 12, 2007