Preview - Don't miss the Sheffield Indoor Trial!
By John Dickinson on 25th Dec 16
IF you are a UK trials fan theres only one way to get your 2017 season off to the best possible start and that is by having a great night out at the Sheffield Arena Trial.
Saturday, January 7, is the big day for the spectacular that is amazingly now in its 22nd consecutive year – and the Sheffield Arena's longest-running show.
And this one is a very poignant event as Sheffield 2017 is billed as the Martin Lampkin Memorial Trial, named to honour the great man who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Martin was responsible for all the fantastic Sheffield sections designed and built down the years and universally praised by riders and fans alike.
Looking forward to Sheffield 2017 you have to remember that this is your ONLY chance to see the world's best riders contest an Indoor trial, where they can truly showcase their awesome skills, in the UK.
And you really are getting the best with No.1 Toni Bou on the Repsol Montesa and No.2 Adam Raga on the factory TRS heading the quality seven-rider entry.
Raga sent the arena into a frenzy in 2016 when he turned up on the TRS for his first official ride on the marque and took the Premier from a shocked Bou.
Toni is the indisputable World No.1 and will be burning to avenge the defeat by Raga and get his own 2017 away to a winning start. But Raga loves Sheffield, has a great history in
the event and another fantastic battle is in the offing. Sheffield is not running as an FIM World Championship in 2017 and that has given the organisers a free hand in who rides and they have gone for an exciting Experience v Youth line-up.
Joining Bou and Raga in the experienced camp are 2016 Vertigo team-mates Jeroni Fajardo and Britain's James Dabill.
The Dibsta carries local hopes this year on a factory Gas Gas, having made a shock move back to the Girona factory recently and he will be making his World debut on the Gasser in Sheffield.
He is excited at the prospect of riding as GG factory No.1 and this could see James have his best result ever at Sheffield.
Heading the Youth camp is young Catalan and Repsol Montesa teamster Jaime Busto, who is making his Sheffield debut.
A dynamic and unpredictable rider, Busto could well set the arena on fire as he attempts to make his mark on the Indoor scene.
And joining him is another Spanish prospect in the shape of 18-year-old Miquel Gelabert.
A popular youngster, Gelabert had a stab at The Scott trial in October but rapidly realised he wasn't really prepared for the Yorkshire epic – but he has vowed to return for a real crack at an event that opened his eyes.
Miquel expects to be much better prepared for the Indoor scene!
The final rider is a real local and there is sure to be fantastic support for reigning World Trial2 champ Jack Price. Pricey put everything he had into 2016 and was rewarded with a step-change in his riding.
Having put in the effort and achieving great results Jack now gets the Indoor break and he will relish the chance to show-off his skills and drive as he seeks to attain the next level on the World Championship stage.
So, that's the riders, an eclectic mix of established and up-and-coming stars, all with a point to prove – there are no passengers on the Sheffield bus!
With no World Championship restrictions the Sheffield format is the one they devised years ago and which is totally fair to all. The only surprise is that it hasn't been adopted universally.
In short, in the first round there will be seven sections and each rider will take a turn at going first so that no rider gets an advantage.
The top four will then progress to the Grand Final and that will run under the usual system of the top Qualifier goes last – as he has earned the privilege.
Sheffield has stood the test of time, once again sports the best riders in the world, is being run to honour Martin Lampkin – and all you have to do is get your tickets from the Sheffield Arena website.
And ticket prices have been held to the same as last year.
Where else in January can you watch the best riders in the world compete head-to-head from the comfort of your own chair in a nice warm arena?
Sheffield 2017– don't miss it!
