Trials Torque: X-citing time for Sheffield curtain raiser
By John Dickinson on 23rd Nov 16
ONCE again the Sheffield Arena Trial, rightly billed as the Worlds No.1 Indoor Arena Trial, gets the 2017 International Indoor trials season underway on Saturday, January 7.
And with it not being a World Championship X-Trial round there has been plenty of speculation as to the potential line-up.
Well, there's no need to panic as Avondale Management have been working on an exciting plan which pits the two best riders in the world against the leading up-and-coming youngsters from Great Britain and Europe.
Twenty-times World Champion – 10 Indoors and 10 Outdoors – Toni Bou headlines once again and the Repsol Honda legend will renew his battle with World No.2 – Indoors and Outdoors – Adam Raga.
When Raga made his Indoor debut on the TRS machine at Sheffield last year he lit-up the Arena and gave Bou a real run for his money.
And Adam will again be looking to topple his great rival as the 2017 season gets underway and he returns on the factory TRS.
These two are, without a shadow of a doubt, the top two riders in the world and you get to see them in January from the comfort of a seat whatever the weather outside
This year's event is being billed as The Martin Lampkin Memorial event as a tribute to the legendary Yorkshireman who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Martin, as one half of promoters Avondale Management alongside Neil Crosswaite, was always in charge of the Sheffield sections every single year and they were always innovative, challenging and safe.
Neil said: "Martin was always keen to get the younger riders involved and as a tribute, without any FIM World Championship restrictions, that's what we are going to do this year.
"I've already signed-up the two top Spanish teenagers, Jaime Busto and Miquel Gelabert.
Busto, 19, is the third member of the mighty Repsol Montesa team learning his trade under Bou and veteran Japanese ace Takahisa Fujinami and the current World No.6.
Jaime will be making his Sheffield debut and who knows what this exciting young talent will do on the night?
The same can be said for Sherco's Gelabert, still only 18, and who to his credit had a bash at the recent Scott Trial.
Although he didn't get too far he promised to return and reach the finish being really excited by the event.
He's a bright, friendly lad and sure to get the crowd on his side when he too makes his Sheffield debut.
Britain's top youngster in 2016 has been Gas Gas UK supported Jack Price and the young Yorkie has impressed everyone with his progress throughout 2016 working hard on his riding and being rewarded as the World Cup winner in the Trial2 class of the Trials World Championship.
Pricey will be champing at the bit to get at Busto and Gelabert as he is given this great opportunity to perform in front of his home fans.
Also signed-up to ride is British Champ James Dabill and Dibs has plenty of fans to cheer him along. James certainly has the talent to have a go at Bou and Raga and given some technical sections could really throw a spanner at the top two.
Also pencilled in is Dibsta's current Vertigo team-mate Jeroni Fajardo and confirmation or otherwise is expected later this week.
Which leaves one more place vacant and Neil is still thinking hard about this one.
Ideally it will go to a young British prospect but no decision has been taken yet. You will read it here first!
So, now you know what's happening the next thing to do is bag your seat.
Just log on the the Sheffield Arena website – sheffieldarena.co.uk or ring 0114-2565656 – and get it sorted.
Prices have been held at last year's rates.
