No-stop is go go go!
By TMX Archives on 5th Aug 09
THIS column has given the MXGPs, or to be more specific the British MXGP, a real good flogging over the last few weeks so, leaving Gareth to dig in his spurs as he gallops towards 2010 in his Blog, it's time for me to jump horses and give trials a bit of a run.
It hasn't been widely publiced, in fact to tell the truth it hasn't been publiced at all, but the FIM has been working away quietly in the background this year, looking to see what the hell they can do to generate some interest in World Championship Trials. And last week there was held an important meeting which I am led to believe will lead to some pretty dramatic changes for 2010 – and leading those changes is – hang on to your hats – a return to No-stop!
Now as I say, not a single official press release, email or even a covertly passed piece of paper has headed my way from the mighty portals of power but, as I say, there is no point in being in the know if you don't know anything, so without any official blessing let's have a look why.
Everyone can see that whatever is going on at the moment it isn't working. Does anyone out there seriously think that a dozen World Championship entries is acceptable? There are even points available for 15 finishers which makes the joke even sicker. The bottom line is, as is clear to everyone, the World Trials Championship is currently being held together by the families of the young lads riding in the Youth and Junior Cups. This plainly can't continue. Few want to stage the events, even fewer want to watch them.
Then there are the factories. As we all know, times are damned hard and if nothing else this has finally, at long last, pushed the (surviving) factories together and instead of fighting one another they have found themselves standing on a piece of common ground. And that ground is very wobbly as it is itself fighting for survival. The era of the factory rider with a back-up team of five minders plus mechanics, chefs, drivers plus assorted gofers and coat hangers is over.
Trust me, it is, not this week maybe but it is over – along with one very big current player.
So, lets assume we start with a blank sheet of paper. How would you run a successful world championship? Maybe look back at when World rounds were HUGELY successful events with entries of up to 140 and crowds measured in many thousands. And those 140-riders were all in one class, all riding a single route with no Youths or Juniors to pad out the meagre entry. Don't believe it? Sorry, it is a fact.
Now, I've read all the arguments, for and against No-stop in the press and on websites and I don't intend to comment, although believe me I am sorely tempted. All I am dealing with here is plain fact, not my opinion and not anyone elses, just fact.
I am lucky enough to have witnessed the years when thousand upon thousand of spectators in many countries thrilled to World Championship trials. I also watched as the trick riding took over, firstly with awe, as the skills were unveiled, but ultimately – and this took well over a decade to sink in – with the sick feeling that it was all very clever but ultimately it was a dead end. And now we are where we are.
So, No-stop. From the factory point of view this can be seen as a commercial decision. Teams can be ‘rationalised' which in plain English means the head-count is slashed. No minders means no jobs. From a personal point of view it will also mean, please God, no spending all afternoon listening to a never ending stream of "Hold that bike!” "Perfect at the back”, "Use those legs” and various other phrases, all coined by Martin Lampkin as he pioneered the ultimate minder's role a decade ago. In its place I truly hope to see the return of riders actually riding motorcycles, rather than boinging about on the spot on a double ended pogo-stick.
Fact. When the Scottish Six Days Trial was on its knees, just one year away from The End – yes, that's the truth – it was saved by No-stop. Ditto the Scott Trial. Just last week another major British event, the Lakes Two-Day, took the decision to go No-stop. If nothing else it allows the organisers to confidently take 180 entries and make sure everyone gets through the first section, never mind the last, before it goes dark.
From a World Championship point of view I imagine that Martin Lampkin can't wait to mark out some traditional climbs at next year's World Round on the Scottish moors that will have spectators roaring and cheering as riders forge their way, with no fiddling, diddling, stopping, hopping and cheating their way to the summit. Think Steve Saunders in the 1987 World Trial at Butser Limeworks. If you're too young to remember that – ask your dad!
The FIM is expected to give the green light at the Autumn congress – along with some other rulings that may surprise some.
Will it work? No idea – but one thing is certain, something has to be done before the World Championship disappears right off the calendar. It's been a long time coming but the official head is now firmly out of the sand, blinking in the sunlight...