United Nations
By Team TMX on 16th Sep 15
THIS weekend is the busiest of the year in International trials as over a manic three-day period Friday to Sunday (Sep 18-20) theres the third and final round of the Womens Trial World Championship, the Womens Trials des Nations and the Mens Trial des Nations.All three events will take place at the same venue in Spain which is LHospitalet de lInfant, just south of the city of Tarragona, in Catalunya, itself just an hour or so south of the motorcycle mad city of Barcelona...
MEN'S TdN
WRAPPING up the weekend's top trials action is the Men's Trial des Nations when the level of sections will be ramped up for the top six teams who will be going for the glory.
The hottest of red hot, hot favourites are of course the home Spanish team which comprises newly crowned nine-times Trial World Champion Toni Bou, world vice champion Adam Raga and rounded out by the world's number three and four Jeroni Fajardo and Albert Cabestany!
All bets are off against this quartet who will be competing on their very own patch – Albert lives in Tarragona – supported by a couple of thousand trials loving locals.
The elite group of challengers are Team GB, France, Italy, Japan and a team of plucky Norwegians who will need all the support they can muster.
James Dabill captains the Brits, backed-up by fellow World Championship regular Jack Sheppard, with the remaining two teamsters having been British-based this year – Alexz Wigg and British No.3 Sam Haslam.
Wiggy knows all about the International scene while Sam's calm approach to all events will set him in good stead and the Gas Gas mounted duo will see one another right.
Team GB will be looking to hold-off what is expected to be a massive fight for the podium between them and France, Italy and Japan.
Barcelona-based Takahisa Fujinami heads the Japanese attack where Tomoyuki Ogawa on a 320 Montesa is probably the best of the three long-haul riders flying in.
France looks strong with Ferrer, Gubian, de Caudemberg abd Dagnicourt and Italy have a tidy squad with Grattarola, Cotone, Maurino and the youngster Tournour and there's sure to be a tough fight for those podium places all day long.
The International class sees by far the largest entry with a total of 16 teams, including an entry from Guatemala, who will surely be in for a shock should they make the trip! Not easy to pick a winner from this little lot but surely Germany, with World Championship rider Franz Kadlec up front and Sweden, led by the talented Eddie Karlsson, must be in with a shout.
Ireland is represented by a handy looking quartet of Sean Doyle, Michael Burton, Chris Brown and Jonathan Lunney.
Sean has journeyed across the Irish sea to ride English Nationals and British Championships virtually every weekend this year and the Irish boys could well spring a surprise.
Australian and American teams join the Japanese as long-haulers with Belgium, Switzerland, Andorra, Latvia, Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic all representing Europe.
The Czechs actually look quite handy with Martin Kroustek, Martin Matejicek and Jiri Svoboda. As we say, it's an action-packed season finale and you can read about how it all pans out next week!
WOMEN'S TdN
THERE will be no wild parties on Friday night following the Women's final TWC event as on Saturday morning it is straight into the 2015 Women's Trial des Nations in which no fewer than 10 countries will battle it out for the honours.
All personal rivalries are cast aside here as fierce national rivals join forces for the common good, sharing information, offering advice and riding tactically, with the top men competitors joining in to mind and urge on their girls to the best possible result.
And the British team certainly looks the strongest on paper with Emma Bristow, Becky Cook and the effervescent Donna Fox our trio of talent.
The main opposition has to be the host Spanish squad with the German girls also a threat.
Sandra Gomez leads the home side (depending on foot injury) into battle alongside Mireia Conde and Elisabet Solera.
Theresa Bauml, Ina Wilde and Sarah Bauer represent the German challenge.
Stir in teams from France, Italy, Norway, Australia, USA, Denmark and Ireland, the latter represented by Kate Callaghan and Michelle Hanlon (both good strong trials families).
