That was the year that was
By TMX Archives on 17th Dec 09
AS yet another off-road competition year whizzes past at high-speed, editor JD stops the clocks for a couple of minutes for a quick recap on the year that was...
INCREDIBLY, here we are again, already looking back on yet another action-packed off-road season! It doesn't seem five minutes since we were emerging from Sheffield Arena following the annual International Indoor Trial or scrabbling round Morlais Quarry in north Wales in the dark, trying to find the exit following an exciting Tough One extreme enduro. Both events heralded the start of the 2009 season - and even as this is written the organisers are ‘already' urging us to get ready for the imminent arrival of their events - 2010 style!
As ever, it has been a hectic year with trials, motocross and enduro, solos, sidecars and quads, all hosting a multitude of championships and individual events that have been keenly fought-over, tooth and nail, by thousands of eager contestants. And to the individual, whether your goal is to be World MX1 champ, or simply beating your pals over three testing rounds in the Bogsworth Wobblers and Dabbers Trial, the end result of which decides who buys the first round in the pub, the competition is just as intense.
And to the staff and the many valued contributors to T+MX, all are equally important. We haven't a clue what it feels like to be World MX champ...but we do know the pain of finishing second Novice (three entered, one retired!) over the Easy course on a wet Wednesday night. And the pain of a broken ankle sustained while attempting to kick-start a 490 Maico (Graham Milne, retd)... even the ignominy of a slashed backside caused by a razor-sharp footpeg slammed into it at high speed. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the memory of that little episode refuses to diminish with time! Maybe Travis and his beat-up chums could try that one in a future episode of Nitro Circus - the best show on TV! Talking of beat-up chums, the T+MX test team knows all about that as well. Effervescent MX tester Johnno White has a season-ticket that allows instant access to all UK hospitals. Our Johnno has parted company with most of his internal organs - yet remains fully functional - or so he says. With no spleen, just one kidney, only half a liver and minus other stuff that I've either forgotten or can't pronounce (or spell) the docs considered fitting Johnno with a zip rather than stitches. But he's living testament that you just can't leave off-road alone!
Meanwhile trials tester, Woody Hole, frustrated by the fact that he couldn't really hurt himself on a trials bike went World Mountain Bike Championship riding and satisfied his lust for blood (his own!) that way, returning from Canada one weekend with a matching pair of broken wrists. A minor issue and once recovered Woody moved on to enduros... Between us, believe me, we have suffered for our sport...!
Yes, T+MX collectively looks after the sport of thousands of riders each and every weekend. But we try never to forget that each and every one of those riders is an individual and has his or her moments of triumph and failure. Sure, we all want to share in the success of the stars but equally, we sympathise when it all goes wrong and our heroes come unstuck.
Shaun Simpson was the rider for whom it all went Pete Tong in 2009, just when he seemed to have it all nicely lined-up. On what should have been a routine day at the practice track Shaun suffered a monster crash (through no fault of his) which resulted in a broken leg that cost him what could easily have been a World Championship winning season.
With all respect to his peers with title-winning aspirations, it is indisputable that Shaun's injury was a huge blow to Britain's many MXGP fans. While major domestic events take place in front of a hardcore of several thousand die-hard fans it never ceases to amaze me the sheer size of crowd that miraculously appears for the Grand Prix. If only we could magic those union jack, air-horn wielding hordes for British Championships all our troubles would be over.
My personal MX hero of the season? Brad Anderson. What you see is what you get!
On the trials front we have seen a shift of power with James Dabill, representing the younger generation, finally nailing the British Championship. And pushing along behind him are the likes of Jon Richardson, World Junior Champ, and showing plenty of potential.
Enduro? Well, David Knight got most of the 2009 headlines, unfortunately mostly for the wrong reasons. For me, the standout ride was by the vet, though still youthful-looking Paul Edmondson picking up that 16th ISDE gold medal. Little Ed is a stand-out role model for the younger generation.
And so we hurtle, expectantly, into 2010...