The Big Picture
AND GAM A WING AND A PRAYER
Although it looks like Toni Bou is throwing caution to the wind at the X-Trial des Nations in France, rest assured the Repsol Honda rider knows exactly what he’s doing.
PHOTO COURTESY REPSOL HONDA
The Big Picture
AND GAM ANGRY SKY
Beta USA’s Mike Witkowski shines under threatening skies at the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro in Tennessee. Mike was eigth overall for the weekend.
PHOTO BY SHAN MOORE
The Big Picture
AND GAM CROWD PLEASER
Alex Niederer drops into a section at the recent El Trial de Espana in southern California. The GasGas North America rider finished second to Karl Davis
BY ROBERT THEOBALD
Jr.
PHOTO
The Big Picture
AND GAM
GNARLY, DUDE!
Cole Kirkpatrick sent us a few photos from Gnarly Routes’ latest Texas Tour in April at U Lazy S Ranch.
Click HERE to read the full story online.. PHOTOS BY COLE KIRKPATRICK
OFFROAD ANYWHERE ANYTIME
Take charge of your ride with the new KTM 690 ENDURO R – now armed with highly-capable WP XPLOR suspension, ride-enhancing electronics and aggressive new offroad styling. True to its core, this renowned icon of original dual-sport offers a dynamic slim feel, delivering superior all-terrain action wherever and whenever the urge arises.
Photo:
Lackner
BETA ENDURO & TRIALS DEALERS
Enduro Alaska • Wasilla, AK • 907-350-6584
S&T Cycles • North Clanton, AL • 205-755-1001
Al’s Cycle Center • North Little Rock, AR • 501-758-4800
Dirt Riders West • Scottsdale, AZ • 800-467-0604
Happy Trails Cycles• Bouse, AZ • 307-690-9493
Manic Moto • Queen Creek, AZ • 480-783-3243
On Any Moto • Tucson, AZ • 520-269-6606
Auburn Extreme Powersports • Auburn, CA • 530-885-7105
Browns Cycles • Paso Robles, CA • 805-238-1240
C&D Cycle Center • San Diego, CA • 858-277-3298
Capitol Yamaha • Sacramento, CA • 916-485-9200
Coyne Powersports • El Centro, CA • 760-353-2110
Douglas Motorcycles • San Bernardino • CA • 909-884-4776
Honda Kawasaki Beta of Modesto • Modesto, CA • 209-529-5424
Jetworld Powersports • Castaic, CA • 661-294-0072
KC Power sports • San Juan Capistrano, CA • 949-942-9854
Moore & Sons • Santa Cruz, CA • 831-475-3619
MotoXotica • Vacaville, CA • 707-446-4282
Mountain Motorsports • Ontario, CA • 909-988-8988
Simi Valley Cycles • Simi Valley, CA • 805-522-3434
Uptite Husky • Santa Ana, CA • 714-540-2920
Apex Sports • Colorado Springs, CO • 719-475-2437
Extreme Power Sports • Steamboat, CO • 970-879-9175
LBI Motorsports • Oxford, MA • 508-987-6245
Motoworx • West Hatfield, MA• 413-247-9433
Grand Mesa Motorsports • Delta, CO • 970-874-8621
Handlebar Motorsports • Durango, CO • 970-247-0845
MotoAdventure • Loveland, CO • 970-669-5377
Spirit Lake Motorsports • Grand Lake, CO • 970-627-9288
Timberline Motorsports • Buena Vista, CO • 719-395-4272
Level 10 Performance Motorsports • Ormond Beach, FL • 386-944-9160
Tiki Cycles Unlimited • Mililani, HI • 808-486-8454
Cycle Tech • Fremont, IA • 641-632-8201
DR Powersports • Waterloo, IA • 319-235-6453 ext5
Hicklin PowerSports • Grimes, IA • 515-986-4880
Action Cycles N Sleds • Twin Falls,ID • 208-736-8118
Dennis Dillon RV & Marine • Boise, ID • 208-343-2830
Kolby Offroad • Idaho Falls, ID • 208-881-9646
Revolution Motorsports • Moscow, ID • 208-883-7800
Sandpoint Marine & Motorsports • Ponderay, ID • 208-263-1535
Braaap Shop • Mendota, IL • 815-538-6686
Integ Motorsports • East Peoria, IL • 309-699-3929
BETA TRIALS ONLY DEALERS
Lewisport USA • Copperopolis, CA • 209-678-5779
Tec-Cycles • Riverside, CA • 909-224-3375
Balance Trial Supply • Arvada, CO • 720-207-7715
Trial Store USA • Bradenton, FL • 941-404-0757
Aloha Trials Shop • Kapaa, HI • 808-822-2706
Fatty’s Cycle • Fortville, IN • 317-485-6200
The Cycle Shed • Vernon, IN • 812-346-8620
Miller Cycle Shop • Inman, KS • 620-712-1165
Morgan’s Suspension Service • Louisville, KY • 502-239-1870
Knight Cycles • Southbridge, MA • 508-764-4356
Cycle max • Gaithersburg, MD • 301-869-6629
Xtreme Powersports • Accident, MD • 301-387-2095
Maine Cycle • Auburn, ME •207-783-7349
Bennett Powersports • Marlette, MI • 989-635-5500
Marquette Beta • Marquette, MI • 906-226-3560
MX Parts Now • Watervliet, MI • 269-201-7064
Plus One Performance • Dearborn, MI • 313-918-8944
Lewis Charles Cycles • Albert Lea, MN • 507-720-4144
Bonecutter Body Shop • California, MO • 573-796-8685
Donnell’s Motorcycles • Independence, MO • 816-478-9393
Motorcycles and More • Marthasville, MO • 636-433-2384
QC Moto • Springfield, MO • 417-862-4343
Blitz Motorsports • Bozeman, MT • 406-522-7533
Fastoys • Kalispell, MT • 406-257-8697
Hanson’s Motorsports • Billings, MT • 406-545-7338 Kurt’s Polaris • Missoula, MT • 406-541-3651
Bucher Sales • Rock, KS • 620-986-5666
Jack’s Cycles • South Berwick, ME • 207-337-1274
Mossy Rock Trials & Offroad • Big Timber, MT • 406-930-0227 www.betausa.com
Northwest Cycle Center • McHenry, IL • 815-344-7780
502-239-1870
On The Pegs 21 Vol. 4 Issue 5 - May 2019
Oil injected 2 stroke engine that provides a softer power delivery without the hard “hit”. An adjustable powervalve lets the rider adjust the power delivery even further. Lower seat height and the same brake system as the larger RR models.
Poet Motorcycles • Helena, MT • 406-457-8230
Big Toy Superstore • Winston Salem, NC • 336-768-3433
Big Toy Superstore • Hickorey, NC • 828-256-4282
Brewer Cycles • Henderson, NC • 252-492-8553
Redline Motorsports • Bismarck, ND • 701-426-0083
Johnny’s Cycle • Nebraska City, NE • 402-873-6913
Smart Auto Sales • Omaha, NE • 402-715-4647
Naults Powersports • Manchester, NH • 603-669-7220
Town & Country Cycle Center • Hamburg, NJ • 973-875-2111
Trapani Race Setups • Waretown, NJ • 609-693-3773
Champion Motorsports • Roswell, NM • 575-624-0151
DT Motorsports • Alamogordo, NM • 575-434-0454
Sun Country Powersports • Farmington, NM • 505-325-4195
Sierra BMW Motorcycle • Sparks, NV • 775-355-0655
Sportsman Cycle • Las Vegas, NV • 702-641-6401
3 Seas Recreation • Mayville, NY • 716-753-2628
Barnstormers Off Road • Whitehall, NY • 518-769-1058
Powerline Cycles • Mahopac, NY • 845-528-3401
Steve’s Custom Cycle • Lockport, NY • 716-625-4372
Beaver Creek Cycle • Lisbon, OH • 330-386-7353
Championship Powersports • Wauseon, OH • 419-335-8600
Competition Wheels & Cycles • Concord, NC • 704-906-3238
Trialdog Motorsports • Albuquerque, NM • 505-730-5614
The Tryals Shop • Locke, NY • 315-497-2904
RL Racing • Collinsville, OK • 918-519-6505
KRW Cycles • Dayton, OH • 937-477-0522
Pony Powersports • Westerville, OH • 614-212-7888
Staud Cycles• Fairfield, OH • 513-604-2391
Airhead Sales & Service • Klamath Falls, OR • 541-882-3572
Beaverton Motorcycles • Tigard, OR • 503-718-6670
Dan’s Motorsports Outlet • Salem, OR • 503-385-8108
Bromley Motorcycle • Trevose, PA • 215-357-1534
Bromley Motorsports • Stevensville, PA • 215-450-5487
Ephrata Cycle & Sports • Ephrata, PA • 717-738-1184
Kissell Motorsports • Tyrone, PA • 814-861-7890
RyanCo Cycle Works • Bloomsburg, PA • 570-437-4034
South Mtn Cycle Shop • Dillsburg, PA • 717-432-4997
San Juan Motorsports • San Juan, PR • 787-399-6866
Upstate Cycle • Greenville , SC • 864-232-7223
Outdoor Motorsports • Spearfish, SD • 605-642-7731
Rosco’s Motorcycle & ATV • Rapid City, SD • 605-348-3946
Adventure Offroad • Leoma, TN • 931-852-5445
Garry Griffith Cycle • Chattanooga, TN • 423-867-0423
GDM Motorsports • Murfreesboro, TN • 615-907-7212
Knox Enduro • Knoxville, TN • 865-308-0330
380 Motorsports • Decatur, TX • 817-752-8456
Diehl’s Beta Sales • Danville, PA • 570-437-2487
Moto-Skills •Rogersville, TN • 602-999-5395
Rising Sun Cycles • Harriman, TN • 865-590-1363
Mototrialsport • Midlothian, TX • 972-754-9686
Big Country Motorsports • Magnolia, TX • 281-356-2506
D Squared Trials • Amarillo, TX • 806-576-0271
Fun Motors of Longview • Longview, TX • 903-663-9100
Moto El Paso • El Paso, TX • 915-566-6666
Cutler’s Inc. • Orem, UT • 801-224-5005
Offroad Specialists • Fillmore, UT • 435-743-4180
Ridgeline Motorsports • Vernal, UT • 435-789-7433
Steadmans Recreation • Tooele, UT • 435-882-3344
Sunny Offroad • Perry, UT • 801-430-1101
Allsport Cycles • Roanoke, VA • 540-772-2500
Commonwealth Motorsports • Hayes, VA • 804-642-2200
Early’s Cycle Center • Harrisonburg, VA • 540-433-2585 Frank’s Motor Bikes • Bellevue, WA • 425-603-9000
Smitty’s Outdoor Power & Cycle • Yakima, WA • 509-453-9966
Xtreme Powersports • Okanogan, WA • 509-826-5771
Metro Motorcycle • Neenah, WI • 920-722-0700
Appalachian Offroad • Lanes, WV • 304-932-0437
Beta of Henderson • Henderson, WV • 304-675-5111
DSD Kawasaki Motorcycle & Rv Sales • Parkersburg, WV • 304-861-0449
Elkins Motorsports • Elkins, WV • 304-636-7732
Alpine Motorsports • Casper, WY • 307-234-4944
Raw Power Motorsports • Thayne, WY • 307-883-3278
Neil King Enterprises • Austin, TX • 512-292-0000
Northern Utah Trials • west Point, UT • 801-773-3918
Inland N. W. Trials Supply • Chattaroy, WA • 480-299-6038
Black Hills Beta • Sundance, WY • 307-680-6050
EXPLORE THE TRAIL BEYOND
Realize your true riding potential with the 2019 dual-sport range from Husqvarna Motorcycles. Go as far as you dare thanks to premium quality components, exceptional light weight, intelligent power and innovative technology. For a more intuitive riding experience, the FE models deliver top-level performance with unprecedented ease of use across all terrains.
Photo: R. Schedl
shan@tandenews.com
THE LOOP
News and Culture From The World Of Trials, Offroad and Extreme Racing
DAVID AVENDANO TO RIDE US MOTOTRIALS SERIES
Vertigo USA has announced that 17-year-old Venezuelan David Avendaño will contest the 2019 US MotoTrials Series on a Vertigo Combat Vertical. Vertigo has signed Avendaño to participate in the Spanish Championship and the Trial2 class of the TrialGP series, in addition to the Pro class in all eight rounds of the US MotoTrials Series. Avendaño has already produced an impressive list of impressive accomplishments, starting with the seven Venezuelan National Championships that he ran between 2007 and 2013. It will be interesting to see how Avendano stacks up against the best America has to offer.
QUINN WENTZEL TO COMPETE IN EUROPE
USA’s Quinn Wentzel, 24 years old from Canfield, Ohio, a Husqvarna backed, Extreme Enduro rider and Pro Trials Rider will be competing in this year’s Extreme XL Lageras in Portugal for the first round of the World Enduro Super Series and the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in Austria for the third round of the the World Enduro Super Series. Quinn’s riding strengths lie in the extremely technical, hard enduros that have been gaining popularity here in the United States. This is a natural step for the extreme rider who has just come off of two exteme enduro wins at the Groundhog Extreme Enduro and the Grizzly Run Extreme Enduro and a sixth place finish at the Rev Limiter in Texas in March.
SUPER TRIAL SERIES KICKS OFF
The all-new Super Trial Series kicks off this month on May 17th and 18th in Luckenbach, TX. After the success in 2017 and 2018 of the Texas Pro-Am events, the trials master-mind and crew behind the Pro-Am have created the Super Trial Series. Building on the basic concept of the Pro-Am, this event will still feature an evening skills competition for the riders on the first day (Friday), and an afternoon Pro trials competition on the second day (Saturday). New features include European riders, a Trials des Nations fundraising riding clinic, an athlete signing, and much more!!!
The crew behind the event include former US National women’s champion Christy Williams Richards who will be co-ordinating, while former US National Expert champion Ray Peters will be designing the course. 2018 National Champions Pat Smage and Maddie Hoover will be leading the 9 men’s riders and 4 women’s
riders. European rider Jan Peters, of “Adventures with Milky and Jan” fame will be competing against the men; and Donna Fox, who had a 4th place finish in the Women’s world GP class in 2018, will be challenging the women.
Some features from the previous years will remain the same…
• Amazing event sponsors: Rich Energy, a Bristish energy drink company who sponsors the Haas F1 team, has stepped up; and Ford Motor Company has also come on board.
• Super Trial will sponsor a charity: for 2019 it is Children of Fallen Patriots, a charity that helps provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
• There will be an athlete purse for the riders in the competition, as well as a series purse at the end of the season. The althlete purse is provided by Rich Energy.
The schedule for this year’s May event will include:
• Friday night skills competition: a “splatter wall” that is mounted to a lifting machine that will raise the level from the starting height of 5 feet to over 10 feet! New this year… the women will also compete in the splatter competition.
• Saturday Pro trials competition: a set of 6 man-made sections, on an extremely short and spectator-friendly walkable loop, with bleachers at each group of sections for crowds. The format will be mostly the same as a standard AMA/NATC national, with some twists. There will be a knock out round that all riders will compete in, and for the final round, the field will be whittled down to 3 ladies and 5 men.
• A Trials des Nations fundraising clinic, hosted by the Pro riders, as most of them are in the running for the TdN team in 2019, or have previously been on the team. The clinic will be in the morning, about 3 hours, and with so many coaches, the groups will be kept small for plenty of one-on-one time.
• A local trial, hosted by the Central Texas Trials Association. Local riders will be able to compete in the same section areas that the Pros are using for their competition.
• An athlete signing table: everyone will be able to come and meet the riders before the skills competition. Get a free event poster, and have your favorite riders sign it. n
Rich Energy North America
One of the top trials teams in North America has a new look and feel this year. FactoryONE Motortrials LLC has formed out of the long standing RYP Trials team. Former RYP rider David Roper will lead the team in 2019. “This is one of the most exciting times for trials in North America. With the formation of this new team and it’s continued alliance with RYP we are able to take trials to the next level and I’m very pumped about this dream job of team manager” Roper said. “With the success of RYP in 2018 and Pat Smage winning his 10th AMA NATC National Title, 2019 is going an exciting season.” RYP (Ryan Young Products) principle Brad Baumert is also excited about 2019. “Having FactoryONE step up and take the team to the next level, is great for the sport and RYP. RYP will continue its support of the team and base out of RYP shop in Shelbyville, KY. With David as the team manager, it will allow RYP to expand our Sherco/Scorpa Rider support and sales.” Ryan Young will oversee rider development and training. “Having the freedom now to develop a year around training program will really allow us to take the team and grow our rider skill levels.” Said the six-time champ. Young will be grooming all eleven Rich
America FactoryONE Mototrials
Energy Drink riders. In addition to defending Men’s Pro class National Champion Pat Smage, Sam Fastle and Karl Davis return in 2019. Josh Roper on his Sherco 300 clinched the Expert national championship after a hard-fought battle with fellow Rich Energy FactoryONE team rider Alex Myers in 2018. Both riders make their Pro debuts in 2019. Will Myers spent 2018 on a Scorpa in the 125 Expert Class had a dominating year winning every round of the series to take home the national title. Will moves from the 125 up to a Scorpa 300 in 2019 and will compete for the AMA NATC National Expert title this year along with teammate Nigel Parker on a Sherco 300. Kylee Sweeten (Sherco) and Louise Forsley (Scorpa) will represent the team in the Women’s Pro class. Rounding out the team are Dylan Lozano and Courtney Allison; both will compete in the newly formed NATC National Youth Levels for #1 plates as well.
With all the team improvements, such as, VP fuels, FactoryONE products, there still remains the successes and foundations that where built over the years. All the RYP Sherco’s and Scorpa’s will continue to use proven products they have used for 75 plus National championships across all divisions. The Rich Energy riders will still enjoy the proven traction that the Dunlop trials tires provide. In addition, Maxima Racing Oils will provide the fluids that allowed Pat Smage to tie Geoff Arron with 10 National Pro titles. “Having some of the best partners in the industry, allows me to really focus on my riding and preparation for 2019.” Smage said. “Really like that we have partnered with Rich Energy drink. The product tastes great. Getting to know the product was a big for me, I really like what they’ve done.”
Blake Farhoumand, CEO of Rich Energy Drink USA, “Rich Energy is so excited to partner with FactoryONE. We have a premium beverage and to partner with premium team is a win. Just like how observed trials is pure riding at it’s core; our product mirrors that, made from pure mineral water, pure organic cane sugar, and has 10 grams less of caffeine than a cup of coffee. These guys are a class act and we look forward to a long relationship with them”.
There’s a lot at stake for the upcoming 2019 season. Pat Smage will be going for a record-breaking 11 national titles in the pro class and all of the talented riders on the Rich Energy/ FactoryONE team will be looking to make a name for themselves at the top of their classes. The new efforts of FactoryONE Mototrials Racing Team along with RYP will be there to support these riders and take the sport of Mototrials to the next level. n
REKLUSE FACTORY FORMULATED OIL
Rekluse is now offering Factory Formulated Oils to the off-road and V-Twin markets. Drawing upon 16 years of innovation and experience with clutches, these new oils have been engineered and tested to ensure they meet Rekluse’s high standards of performance. Rekluse Factory Formulated Oil is the perfect complement to any OEM or aftermarket clutch. All three oils are full synthetic and Rekluse Factory Certified for use with Rekluse auto and manual clutch systems.
Rekluse National Sales Manager Patrick Koether said “Our engineering team continuously researched, reviewed, and tested oil products in tandem with Rekluse clutch development. By introducing Rekluse Oils, we are delivering proprietary formulas to meet the demands of a broad range of customers, both on- and off-road. We are proud to offer these new oils and we trust enthusiasts will have a great experience when choosing Rekluse Factory Formulated Oil.”
BETA FACTORY TOUR
NE w DEmo TouR STopS Now AvAIlAblE
Beta USA just announced that the Beta USA Demo Tour has two more locations now open for registration:
• California, Missouri (Double X Speedway) 6-1-19
• Lebec, California (Quail Canyon Riding Area, associated with Gorman State Park) 6-8-19
Event Details:
The Demo Tour events are a riders dream come true. Riders get to experience the complete line of off road and street-legal off road models, and a few trials models!
Click HERE to register for an event!
SOCIAL CORNER
James Dabill demonstrates unbelievable accuracy and control in this video from his Facebook page. Dabill says: “So frustrating but so much fun at the same time, especially when ya nail it!” Well, James, it’s fun just watching!
wHAT’S HAppENING IN SoCIAl mEDIA
A video of Cody Webb riding some frozen extreme terrain with Kyle Redmond from Cody’s Facebook.
Here’s Toni Bou with what he call’s “Monday Motivation.”
A few quick moves from Adam Raga
KTM Factory Racing’s Laia Sanz shows what an off-road bike can do with a little Trials technique.
Here’s Pat and Hannah playing on Osdet electric bikes from Pat’s Facebook.
SMAGE RIDING TECHNIQUE PAT
FOR THE NEXT YEAR, TEN-TIME US MOTOTRIALS CHAMPION PAT SMAGE WILL BE BRINGING US MONTHLY RIDING TIPS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU A BETTER RIDER. AND WHO DOESN’T WANT TO BE A BETTER RIDER? WHETHER YOU’RE A TRIALS RIDER OR AN OFF-ROAD ENTHUSIAST, WE’RE CERTAIN YOU’LL BENEFIT FROM PAT’S TIPS, SO SIT BACK AND TAKE IT ALL IN. BE SAFE AND DON’T FORGET TO PRACTICE WITH A BUDDY!
2019 Front Disc Guard
Max Sug. Retail: $119.00
Website: www.tmdesignworks.com
Contact: (816) 695-3784
Website: www.bulletproofdesigns.com
Bullet Proof Designs is taking the lead in the toughest conditions with their signature Front Disc Guard. CNC machined out of solid 6061 Billet Aluminum, the disc guard protects the crucial front rotor from destruction against trailside debris and roost. Providing a majority of the stopping power, failure is no option with the front disc. The Bullet Proof guard is designed to maintain its place at all times, even when taking the front wheel off, to ensure proper fitment at all times. Easy installation and a light weight make Bullet Proof Designs’ Front Disc Guard a necessity in off-road riding and racing and assures you are #BattleReady!
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
SHOEI VFX-EVO
Max Sug. Retail:
Solid Colors: $539.00
Metallic Colors: $559.00
Graphics: $719.00
Replicas: $739.00
Website: https://www.shoei-helmets.com
Shoei is offering a next generation helmet, fully loaded with nextlevel performance, safety, style and progression. The all-new VFX-EVO proudly boasts the SHOEI-exclusive Motion Energy Distribution System [M.E.D.S.]—strategically engineered to reduce rotational acceleration energy to the head in the event of an accident.
Countless hours of conceptualization and R&D within Shoei’s stateof-the-art manufacturing facilities was just the start. The all-new VFXEVO was put through its paces by professional team riders like Josh Grant and Justin Brayton to ensure optimal performance, functionality, and comfort.
• A versatile trials or trail bike (with the addition of a removable seat)
• The T-18 Dragonfly is an adult electric trials bike featuring a real hydraulic clutch
• A 5 speed gearbox provides the best match of engine power to terrain requirements
• M4 39mm Aluminum AIR FORKS
• Special Ohlins shock direct to swing arm (Linkless suspension)
• 3 hr quick change battery
• Weighs in at 132 pounds
El Trial de The Villain Steals the Sword
49TH EL TRIAL DE ESPANA
APRIL 13-14, 2019
CAHUILLA, CALIFORNIA
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROBERT THEOBALD
de Espana Sword at ETdE
KARL DAVIS JR.
From left to right, Josh Roper, Alex Niederer, Karl Davis and Daniel Blanc-Gonnet grace
The weather this spring has been crazy. For the 49th running of the El Trial De España, Mother Nature provided a perfect California spring weekend. With sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70’s, April 13th and 14th couldn’t have been better for a weekend of exciting trials. The weather was so nice, even a local rattlesnake showed up. Even though this is not part of the national series, El Trial brings out national pro riders as they prepare for the upcoming season and for their chance to lift the coveted Spanish Sword, the perpetual trophy of El Trial. After taking the runner-up spot last year and then following it up with the second spot in the national series, Gas Gas rider Daniel Blanc-Gonnet was a favorite to take the win. His teammate Alex Niederer who battled with him throughout 2018 was ready too. Teenage pro Josh Roper, who trains with BlancGonnet, was ready to show his stuff.
Karl Davis Jr. on his Scorpa decided to use his vacation from his role as a villain in the Marvel Live stunt show to come and compete as well. Karl, who gets to ride a trials bike in the show, hasn’t competed in the national series in a few years, but confirmed that he will be riding for FactoryONE Mototrials and RYP USA in the nationals this summer.
The Pro field was set. However, El Trial De España is part of a number of other series including the starting event of the California State Championships, The Conquer the West Series, and the final event of the Southern California Trials Association (SCTA) Championship. With approximately 85 entries, this was one of the largest events in over 10 years for the SCTA.
Saturday morning started with some excitement. At test one, a rather large rattlesnake decided to hang out in the main line. Once that situation was cleared up, it was game time. Men, women and kids; the riders were taking on the rocks, sand, trees, and off camber obstacles. The Amateur class did two loops on Saturday and three loops on Sunday. The Pro Class did one loop on Saturday morning and then a special high octane loop that is referred to as the Pro
Expert winner Brad Hannon (above). Carolyn Saum en route to second in the Sportsman Class (below).
Shootout. Then on Sunday they did three loops.
The Pro Shootout is a four-test loop and each test is ridden twice. Former National Champion Geoff Aaron set up the Pro Shootout course and really challenged the riders. The course had huge rocks and huge gaps that required precise bike and throttle control.
After the pro’s finished loop one, the points scores were surprising. Karl Davis Jr. had the lowest score and Daniel Blanc-Gonnet had the highest. In the Pro Shootout, Davis kept his great run going and set a high standard for the other riders. Neiderer and Roper fought hard and ended with the same score, while Blanc-Gonnet continued to struggle.
The finishing order for day one was Davis, Niederer, Roper, and Blanc-Gonnet. In the pits Blanc-Gonnet said he had an injury he had been rehabbing prior to the event. “The injury was more of a mental hindrance than a physical one and that he should not have let it get to him like it did,” Blanc-Gonnet said.
Sunday morning brought more great weather and great riding. Daniel Blanc-Gonnet put his injury behind him and came out on fire while Karl Davis Jr. had some struggles. Niederer and Roper continued to ride solid. Because of his perfect riding on the first two loops, Blanc-Gonnet had rebounded and was in the overall fight. Going into the third loop, the winner would be the person with the least amount of mistakes. All four riders had a solid loop and in the end, after 50 sections, only six points separated the riders. The Marvel Live villain had snuck into the event, and using his super skills, stole the sword and the El Trial De España Champion title. Alex Niederer came in second and Daniel Blanc-Gonnet made a huge comeback for third, besting Josh Roper by one point. After watching these four battle over two days, the national series will be fun to watch. Some other notable rides: Brad Hannon riding a Gas Gas won the Expert class, Todd Roper won the Advanced class, Bill Hanson won the Clubman class, Gill Reed won the Intermediate class, Lee Penington won the Sportsman class, and Conner Head won the Novice class.
The 49th running of the El Trial De España was a success. Mother Nature provided great weather. The SCTA clubs provided great volunteers and a great course. MotoVentures provided a great venue. And all the riders provided a good time for the spectators. This is a historic event and the 50th running of the El Trial De España in 2020 promises to be an epic event. Mark your calendars and make the trip in April 2020.
RESULTS
Novice
1. Conner Head
Sportsman
1. Lee Pennington
2. Carolyn Saum
3. Scott Kelly
Intermediate
1. Gill Reed
2. Brent Berker
3. Dylan Brown
Clubman
1. Bill Hanson
2. David Pyle
3. Michael Meschede
Advanced
1. Todd Roper
2. Riley Graves
3. Andre LaPlante
Expert
1. Brad Hannon
2. Bryce Pophal
3. Trevor Thomassen
Pro
1. Karl Davis Jr. (Scorpa)
2. Alex Neiderer (Gas Gas)
3. Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (GG)
4. Josh Roper (Sherco)
ALEX NIEDERER
KARL DAVIS JR.
FAST TRACK
PHOTOS BY ROBERT THEOBALD
DANIEL BLANC-GONNET
HOW TO RIDE A NATIONAL MOTOTRIALS
BY DANIEL BLANC-GONNET
Hey everyone! I’m back and this time I’m here to walk you through the seemingly intimidating task of riding a national mototrials event! I will be the first to say that when I was 14 years old wanting to ride my first national event, my dad and I had no idea what we were doing! Most importantly, we had no idea if I could even ride at the national level. I’m here to tell you that preparing for a national is intuitive, the supporting staff are friendly and helpful, and the events are fun and enjoyable by all levels!
I’m writing this column from the perspective as a pro rider who, as a person in general, over prepares for EVERYTHING so take this guide as the extreme and pick and choose where you want to allocate your resources such as time and money when considering how much to invest.
I’m going to break down this guide into four distinct parts assuming that you have already decided that you would like to try your hand at the AMA/NATC US Mototrials Nationals:
1) Signing Up For The National Events
2) Preparing For The National Events
3) Arriving At The National Events
4) Riding The National Events
1) SIGNING UP FOR NATIONAL EVENTS
One of the best parts of signing up for the NATC events is the awesome online sign up system! You can access it via the official NATC website here: https://www.dabtracker.com/MotoTrials/
You will create a profile and be assigned a rider number where you will select your class, which national rounds you want to sign up for, and payment options.
When trying to decide what class to ride, refer to the class section in the official rules). If you are still unsure which class to ride, it’s best to either ask someone who has ridden the nationals before or as a general rule of thumb, ride a class down from where you ride at at your local club. Another note is that if you are not yet an AMA member, make sure to do so because you will need proof of that at tech inspection. Also note that if you are under 18 and are traveling without your parent, you will need a notarized release before you can start the event. Also, even though sign up is highly recommended online, you can still sign up at the events but there will be an increase in cost associated the closer you sign up to the start of the event.
QUINN WENTZEL
2) PREPARING FOR NATIONAL EVENTS
Preparing for an event is one of the sections that often goes overlooked and really is a step that ensures you have a smooth, enjoyable, and successful national experience! This step can be further broken down into three components; prepping your bike, prepping your body, and prepping your transportation to the event.
Preparing your bike
One of the most important things to prepare prior to an event is your trials motorcycle; ensuring that the motorcycle adheres to the rules of the national series will prevent unexpected surprises at tech inspection or out on the loop. Firstly, make sure that you have fresh oils in the bike, the air filter is clean, the bolts are tightened, and general maintenance has been done to prevent any unneeded breakdowns or disappointments out on the loop. Nothing is more disappointing than a DNF because of something easily preventable!
Second, make sure that your motorcycle is outfitted with a tether ‘dead-
ALEX NIEDERER
man’ kill switch, sprocket cover, the lever ends are intact, all the stock motorcycle plastic guards are intact, and that nothing is obviously broken on the motorcycle (not that broken parts are against the rules but is dangerous for the rider). Another requirement for the bike will be a class appropriate nameplate. The rules section when you sign up will have the guidelines for these number plates which must be strictly adhered to! If you’re crafty you can make your own but if you would prefer to buy it, there are several US based companies that could make these for you such as Dynamic Designs, LLC operated by Quinn Wentzel (just let him know your name, class, and what state you’re from). These are all things that will be checked during tech inspection and if not adhered to, will not be allowed to ride until corrected.
Preparing your body
One of the most common things I see at the nationals are riders who do not prepare the basic amount of physical training or hydration/nutrition needed to be able to successfully complete an event. While I am in no way saying that you have to be a world class triathlon athlete who eats a perfect diet to compete at the lower levels, you will have a much more enjoyable time if you do your due diligence and adequately prepare for what I would consider an endurance type event. There isn’t a black and white line on where you should be but in my opin-
PAT SMAGE
ion. To ride the clubman line, the bare minimum should be that you have a basic level of endurance needed to complete a 5-10 mile loop on the trials motorcycle.
As you progress in the sport and move up classes you will see that trials will become more physically demanding. As a pro, I typically ride 3-4 times a week and go to the gym to do cardio and weight lifting. Your job as the rider, is to assess where you are fitness-wise and interpolate between my clubman minimum guideline and my pro routine. Like I said before, it is not black and white!
As for hydration and nutrition, this one is also preference and how serious you want to take it. Near and on competition days, I typically avoid sugars and consume wholesome food and lean proteins. This ensures that I have enough nonfluctuating energy to be consistent at riding all day. Make sure to drink plenty of water and if you are riding in an area that is more humid or hot than you are used to, make sure to supplement with some electrolytes!
Dehydration is the number one thing I see people experience out on the loop; it usually manifests itself as a cramps, headaches, or early onset of mental or physical fatigue. Again, not a must, but you will enjoy your time much more if you think of yourself as an engine: You want your engine to perform its best so you must give it the right fuel to succeed.
KYLEE SWEETEN
DANIEL BLANC-GONNET
Preparing your transportation to events
This is a tricky one as most people who attend the events have different circumstances with their job, life, and monetary constraints. Most people drive to the events and ever since the national series changed to east and west coast championships, it has been easier than ever to attend just a few closer events and possibly leave with a national championship! The best thing to do is to carpool with local rider friends so you can make it a fun filled vacation! Camping is always available on site. If driving is not an option for one reason or another, you can always fly into the closest airport and arrange transportation to and from the site. I believe some of the manufacturers actually offer a bike rental service at the national events! If you can convince your local rider friends to drive with the bikes and you can fly, even better! I usually book all my travel plans at least a month in advance for the cheapest rates on flights, car rentals, and hotels!
3) ARRIVING AT THE NATIONAL EVENTS
However you decide to get to the national events, there are a couple different options on timeframe: The least favorite is to arrive friday night and do sign up and tech inspection Saturday morning (not recommended). My preference for people who have the luxury of taking extra time off work is to arrive Thursday night or Friday morning and be able to get in a little practice on Friday morning to acclimate to the environment/altitude/weather. I usually arrive Wednesday night as I like to have an extra long practice thursday during the day with only a light practice and bike prep on Friday before tech inspection. Tech inspection on friday is 3-5 PM and allows plenty of time for you to get through. When you arrive on site, regardless if you’re camping there or at a hotel, there will be two different paddock areas: One for campers, cars, and general parking while the other paddock area will be the team pits where all the manufacturers park along with sign up and tech
ALEX MEYER
inspection. My advice is to park close so you can be part of all the action! Being at the national events is a great way to mingle with other riders and make new friends! Everyone is extremely friendly and all the trials manufacturers usually have representation so make sure to go and say hello!
4) RIDING THE NATIONAL EVENTS
Once the clock hits 3 PM on Friday before the events, everyone scrambles to get in line for tech inspection; I would not worry about being the first in line because usually after about an hour (tech goes from 3-5 PM) there is no line and you can just walk right up! You will need your AMA card, Jersey, Helmet, and motorcycle for tech inspection. Once you have passed, you will get a sticker on your nameplate that shows that you have passed tech inspection, dont remove it! At tech inspection, the scoring stewardess will tell you your start time and end time, make sure to keep it close! At this point you are done for the day and can begin your evening preparations for the big day ahead of you! This is a great time to go over the rules of trials on the NATC website to make sure you are brushed up for the competition!
MICAH HERTRICH
On saturday morning, the first rider is promptly out at 9:00 AM so make sure you know your start time and are there at least 5 minutes early (just in case). If you are not there on time you will be penalized. The practice area is always open before the event so if you have time, make sure to go get warmed up! This is a great way to get the muscles moving and get out any last minute jitters before you start.
Once your start time has come, the scoring stewardess will give you your scoring card. Make sure you keep this either securely fixed to the motorcycle or what I like to do is keep it in my pocket so I can ensure it does not become lost.
The national events are almost always 3 loops of 12 sections and you must start on section 1! Follow the well marked loop (marked by red arrows with section numbers on them) to each section and make sure to get a score marked for each section!
You will have one minute and a half to complete each section but even if you fail or would not like to try the section, make sure to get marked a 5 or the penalty for missing a section is 10 points per section.
If for any reason you must return to the paddock before you have completed the loop, hand your scorecard to the nearest trustworth scoring official and continue on the loop missing the sections until the loop leads you back to the paddock. Once you have resolved your issue want to return to the section where your card is being held, you must follow the loop back to that point. DO NOT GO BACKWARDS OR OFF THE LOOP AT ANY POINT. This will almost always cause a disqualification.
At the end of each loop, make sure to turn your scorecard in to the scoring stewardess before you go out on another loop so that you have a fresh new loop card.
At the end of the day, the final section will mark your finishing time on the scorecard (hopefully its before your end time or points will be incurred) and once you hand that card to the scoring stewardess, you’re done! Enjoy the post event thrill of finishing a trials event as well as boasting about your awesome loop scores to your friends and if you’re lucky, you’ll be standing on the podium!
There is an awards ceremony each day of the national event so you’ve got two chances to beat your friends each weekend! If you have any questions about how you will be scored, look up the “NATC OBSERVER TRAINING VIDEO” on youtube to hear a beautiful voice (my voice) explain to you the way observers are taught to score!
If you have any other questions, feel free to direct message me on facebook or ill do my best to give you any recommendations!
Thank you all and hope this was helpful! n
SPAIN DOMINATES
2019 X-Trial des Nations Vendée, France
April 13, 2019
pHoToS CouRTESY REpSol HoNDA
DOMINATES AGAIN
TONI BOU AND JAIME BUSTO REPRESENT SPAIN AT THIS YEAR’S X-TRIALS DES NATIONS IN FRANCE
The pairing of Toni Bou and Jaime Busto continued Spain’s unbeaten run in front of a capacity crowd at the Vendespace venue.
Bou (Repsol Montesa Honda) and Busto (Gas Gas) set the record for the biggest margin of victory in the history of the FIM X-Trial of Nations. The pair did not drop a single mark in the first two rounds of the contest while French pair Benoit Bincaz (Beta) and Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco) accumulated 12 marks as they joined them in the Final.
Bincaz was handicapped by a fall in the warm-up prior to the event which left him with bruising to his wrist and leg, but he performed well alongside Ferrer to take France to second place despite some late failures. Spain also suffered a couple of fiascos in the Final but won by 12 marks to 34.
British youngsters Jack Price (Gas Gas) and Toby Martyn (Beta) performed superbly, finishing just one point behind France after the first two rounds to just miss out on the Final. Martyn – on his X-Trial debut – and Price were two of the stars of the evening to take third for Great Britain for the second year running.
The Italian team of Luca Petrella (Beta) and Matteo Grattarola (Montesa) finished fourth despite completing round one a point ahead of Great Britain, largely thanks to a disappointing second lap for Petrella.
Norway returned to competition after seven years of absence and young Sondre Haga (TRRS) and veteran Hakon Pedersen (Gas Gas) had a hopeful first round but struggled badly on their second lap to finish in fifth place.
“It has been an extraordinary triumph because we had two superb rounds to start and the Final was more demanding,” said Bou. “We endured the pressure of competing against France well, largely because we had an important points advantage starting the Final. Jaime rode to a great level and I think
we have done a great job as a team.”
Normally a fierce rivel, Busto found himself on the same side as Bou.
“Competing with Toni is always exceptional and it possibly makes you feel less pressure,” said Busto. “I think we have ridden to a high standard right from the start and have not left anything to chance. The atmosphere and the spectators have been extraordinary and they really recognised our great performance.”
Bincaz, representing the French, fell in practice as was not 100%.
“Today was a difficult day for me because I fell in the warm-up and hit my hand and right leg badly,” said Bincaz. “I gave everything tonight and we took second which is very important to the fans. Alex also rode brilliantly today.”
“We are satisfied with second place because Benoit was not feeling one hundred per cent,” added Ferrer “We gave everything to get into the Final and the fans helped us with their encouragement. We had a good performance, second place is a fine reward.”
COURTESY FIM-LIVE.COM
RESULTS
1. Spain (12)
2. France (34)
3. Great Britain (13)
4. Italy (16)
5. Norway (41)
2019 Schedule
• February 24 - CTC Fun Trial
• March 30-31 - Trials Training Days
• May 4-5 - Splish Spalsh Trial (STRA)
• June 23-26 - Family Camp
• June 27-29 - East Coast Youth Nationals & Women’s Open
• June 28 - TdN Fundraiser Gate Trial
• June 30 - July 4 - Great American Teen Camp (Invitational)
• August 16-18 - 9th Annual Kenda Tennessee Knock Out
• September TBA - ITSA Vintage Trial National
• October 19-20 - 27th Annual 58K Fall Trial
• December 1 - Troy Trial - CTC Winter Series Round 1
TRS Motorcycles
TRS ONE RR
ADAM RAGA RACING
USA DEALERS
Dirt Riders West - Mike Carlton, 800.467.0604, Scottsdale, AZ
Lewisport USA - Adrian & Mandy Lewis, 209.785.6878, Copperopolis, CA
Balance Trials Supply - Bill Haskell - 720.207.7715 - Erie, CO
Trial Store USA - Alex Niederer - 941.404.0757 - Bradenton, FL
Aloha Trials - Clayton Oshita, 808.822.2706, Kapaa, HI
Northwest Cycle - Ron Rivenburgh, 815.344.7780, McHenry, IL
Jack’s Cycles - Stuart Preston, 207.337.1274, South Berwick, ME
Competition Wheels - James McKenzie, 704.906.3238, Concord, NC
HVC Cycle - Brad Obidowski, 402.817.4795, Lincoln, NE
Miller Ranch Trials - Aaron & Andy Miller 607.765.8362 Corning, NY
Torne Mountain Trial - Jon France, 914.490.0637, Hillburn, NY
Adroit Engineering - Jon Rentschler, 440.668.3207, Chardon, OH
Gran Prix Cycle - Gary & Robyn Byers, 541.926.3139, Albany, OR
MotoMex - Danny Aguirre, 214.912.9005, Dallas, TX
Skagit Powersports - Gary Lawver, 360.757.7999, Burlington, WA
TTC - Charlie Roberts, 423.942.8688, Sequatchie, TN
T FOR TOTH; T FOR TENEESSEE
KENDA FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO SERIES ROUND 3
GREENEVILLE, TENNESSEE
JOSH TOTH GETS HIS FIRST WIN IN THE KENDA FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO SERIES
JOSH TOTH
TOTH KEEPS IT CLEAN
In a race where plenty of mistakes were made, Josh Toth stayed relatively mistakefree en route to his first-career win in the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series in Greeneville, Tennessee.
In all, the FMF/KTM rider won four of the 12 tests during the course of the two-day event and topped runner-up Kailub Russell by 23 seconds after two days of tight racing, despite the fact that Russell won six tests.
Toth was an equal opportunity test winner and demonstrated his versitility by taking wins in both Enduro tests and in Cross tests.
Toth won two tests on Saturday and clocked out with a 24-second advantage over Russell to win Saturday’s round.
On Sunday, Toth won two of the three Enduro tests, and was second for the day behind Russell, however his combined time for the two days was fast enough for the overall win.
“I was pretty consistent on Saturday,” said Toth. “So, on Sunday I knew I had a pretty good cushion over those guys, so I just tried to ride as well as I could, but also stay off the ground and just kind of play it safe.”
Russell came back from a rough day on Saturday to win Sunday’s round and take second overall. Russell won more tests than anyone, six in all, however a mishap in the second test on Saturday cost the FMF/KTM rider a shot at the overall.
“I got off to an awesome start in the first test on Saturday, winning the thing,” said Russell. “And I was riding really well in the second test, but right near the end I hit a rock wrong and just shot off the track. There was a fence right next to the track and I just got all wrapped up in it and tangled up. Luckily, I didn’t go over the fence. The bike was kind of tangled in-between a couple of trees and the fence. I could either give up or keep trying, so I just kept trying and plugging away and I eventually made up a bunch of time.”
Russell came back to win Sunday’s event, giving him second overall for the weekend.
“I was pleased with how I rode, because the competition is so tight at these that you just can’t give up that kind of time and still get right back in it,” said Russell. “In the end I got second overall and won the day two. Overall, it could have been worse. I’m just happy to walk away with max points on day two.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thad Duvall rounded out the podium after taking two test wins, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.
“On Saturday I wasn’t myself,” said Duvall. “I kept crashing. I think I crashed in four out of the six tests. I was very frustrated yesterday. So, we kind of made some changes on the bike last night and then it was much better day today and we won a couple tests. I just tried to clear my head last night and start over again today. I need to learn how to ride better on Saturdays.”
JORDAN ASHBURN
Coastal Racing Husqvarna’s Layne Michael came back from being off the bike for over a month to get fourth overall.
Evan Smith was fifth overall on his Husqvarna/Max Motorsports/FXR FC 250, which was also good for the win in the Pro2 division. Smith won eight of the 12 tests in the Pro2 division and beat out Beta USA’s Mike Witkowski by just over a minute to claim the class win.
Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki teammates Josh Strang and Jordan Ashburn battled with each other for most of the weekend and wound up occupying sixth and seventh.
Witkowski won one test in the Pro2 class and was eighth overall and second in the Pro2 class. Meanwhile, Trail Jesters KTM development rider Jesse Ansley won three Pro2 tests en route to ninth overall and third in the Pro2 class.
Gas Gas North America’s Thorn Devlin rounded out the top 10 overall and was fourth overall in the Pro2 class.
In the Women’s Pro division, Husqvarnabacked Tayla Jones took a solid win over Maxxis/KTM’s Becca Sheets. Jones finished two minutes up on Sheets, while MEP MX KTM’s Mackenzie Tricker was third, three minutes and twenty seconds behind Sheets.
“It was a good win,” said Jones. “I like the sprint format, so I like racing these events.”
Billy Schlag topped the ProAm over RJ Cook, while fellow KTM rider Eric Scarborough rounded out the podium. n
OVERALL RESULTS
1. Josh Toth (KTM)
2. Kailub Russell (KTM)
3. Thad Duvall (Hsq)
4. Lane Michael (Hsq)
5. Evan Smith (Hsq)
6. Josh Strang (Kaw)
7. Jordan Ashburn (Kaw)
8. Mike Witkowski (Bet)
9. Jesse Ansley (KTM)
10. Thorn Devlin (GG)
JESSE ANSLEY
“Right near the end I hit a rock wrong and just shot off the track and there was a fence right there right next to the track. I just got all wrapped up in it and tangled up. Luckily I didn’t go over the fence because I would have had to backtrack, which might have been faster in the long run. But the bike was kind of tangled in-between a couple of trees and the fence. Then I got it out and I had to, like, ghost ride it past the tree because I couldn’t get on my bike. It was just a cluster right there. It was tough.”
--KAILUB RUSSELL
KAILUB RUSSELL
BECCA SHEETS SHINES
Becca Sheets had what she called her best race in the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series in Tennessee. For the first time, the Maxxis/KTM rider won a test from Tayla Jones. Becca credits extra work the past few months for her performance.
“I’ve just been working really hard,” Sheets told On The Pegs. “I’ve been working really hard all winter just to get my speed going, and working on my sprint speed because it’s something I’ve always struggled with. They call me “The Diesel” because I just get faster later. So, I’ve always struggled with sprints. Since Tayla Jones came around in 2017, it’s just been a challenge. This year I was asked by Antti {Kallonen] at KTM to do the whole series, and so I just kind of
felt like I needed to figure out what I was doing wrong and just try to get faster. I’ve been erally just gives me the smallest pointers and it helps so much. I’ve just kind of gotten definitely gotten a lot faster and a little more aggressive. I’ve also made drastic improvements just feel a lot more comfortable. This was my first race with that big suspension change, I think I just did well because I was able to pedal the test with Kailub. All I did was pedal He just kind of explained turns to me where before I wouldn’t even think twice to do would just follow the track where it went, but it’s crazy how many different lines the pros’ lines are not burnt in, so it’s hard to see those lines, even when you’re taking off ously that suspension change was pretty major. I’ve never been able to challenge Tayla seconds ahead of me. n
LAYNE MICHAEL’S RETURN
The Tennessee round marked Layne Michael’s second race back from a shoulder injury that has kept him off the bike for months. “So it’s been kind of a process,” said Michael. “I broke my collarbone and I took a little extra time with it, not much longer. Technically I’m not even supposed to be riding yet. I just wanted the bone to be healed before I started riding again. While I was out I went ahead and had arm pump surgery done. So it was good. I started riding the week leading up to Steel Creek GNCC. I felt pretty good considering. Unfortunately, on lap one I clipped a tree. I didn’t know at the time, but I ended up splitting an incision open from the arm pump surgery. Lap two someone was yelling at my arm, and I looked down and saw the amount of blood and it wasn’t good. I had to get some staples put in it. I was able to ride once this week and come out here and do some riding. I kind of started off a little timid, obviously,
been working a lot with Kailub Russell. He litgotten a little bit of confidence this winter, and I’ve improvements to my bike with my suspension. I change, and obviously I think it definitely showed. pedal behind him. That was all it really was. do these certain things in these turns. Maybe I pros take that you wouldn’t even think. The off behind them. It just helped a lot, and obviTayla at a full gas at all. She’s always multiple
BOBBITT’S BIKING PLANS
For those wondering what Russell Bobbitt has been doing since retiring last year from full time racing. Well, he’s been racing his mountain bike to a few regional wins, and last year he qualified for a big national event.
“I qualified last year to race in a world event this year, which I will be racing the Enduro World series event in Whistler, British Columbia,” said Bobbitt. “That’s in August this year and I’ve got a couple other bigger enduro races throughout the year, like a Big Mountain Enduro in Colorado. I did just race a one-off style race at Wind Rock, Tennessee where I did well and won that. There were some pretty well-clad riders at the race, so that was neat.”
FAST TRACK
Thad Duvall came into the Tennessee race riding a wave of the weekend before in North Carolina. We asked Thad to tell Sprint Enduro racing on back-to-back weekends.
THADEUS D. oN SpRINT RACING
“You have to learn to be comfortable uncomfortablebeing for five to ten minutes,” - Thad Duvall
of confidence after winning round three of the GNCC series tell us what it takes to switch gears from GNCC racing to
How different is your strategy for racing a GNCC compared to your strategy for racing a sprint enduro?
I wouldn’t say there’s a big difference, but there is a difference. It’s good for me to learn how to sprint really well because it helos me in the GNCC series. At a GNCC we race three hours and sprint enduro tests are only five to ten minutes at a time. So it’s a lot different. At a GNCC you kind of have to have a little bit of a different mindset and say, ‘okay, I’m about to start a three-hour race’. Let’s pace ourselves the first hour and a half, and then the last hour and a half you go your full max. At the Sprint Enduro races it’s like you have no time to rest. As soon as you cross that start gate you have to hammer the whole five to ten minutes. Just for me, it’s just learning how to be comfortable being uncomfortable for five to ten minutes. You have to ride that edge where you’re really pushing the envelope, where you’re on two wheels or you’re off two wheels. The biggest thing for me is how to change the uncomfortable to the comfortable. It’s fun. It’s learning. I won the series a couple years ago but I feel like this year there’s way more guys that are really fast. I feel like half of these are the same guys that I race at GNCC.
So, you go out and bicycle the course, you find your lines. Are you able to perfectly hit those lines every time and visualize them, or is it kind of just a general thing?
Yeah, 75% of the time the lines actually work out pretty good. I try to do the test four times. I do the cross test twice and the enduro test twice. So first time around I try to learn it or whatever, and then the second time I go around I try to go a little faster on the bike. That way you can still have that speed as though you’re racing or whatever. So you kind of see what lines will work and what lines won’t. 75% of the times the lines that you see will work pretty well. That’s the biggest thing on the cross test. I feel like I try to ride the line where I need to be. That way I can remember it or whatever. I feel like I really struggle a little bit on the cross test. I always kind of knife the turns where I need to sweep the turns. So I try to sweep the turns when I mountain bike. That way I have that in my mind where I need to do that on my dirt bike. Just 75% of the time it works, for sure.
So when you’re racing are you also scanning for other lines and trying to figure out if that’s a faster line?
Yeah, someone who has really good lines is Josh Strang. The first two rounds were sandy so you could kind of see the lines. I’d still be going straight and he’d be already turning for the turn. It’s crazy to see the different lines. You try to watch to see what those guys are doing. If you come in and they beat you, then be like, “All right. The next time I need to do his lines,” or whatever. So then you kind of see the tire marks. But it will be a little tough when you get in dirt because you won’t be able to see the lines that much. It’ll be tough, but I feel like I try to take everybody’s lines into consideration each round and learn from them for sure.
In South Carolina at the end of the woods test, there was a place that kind of was an S-turn and you were jumping across it. Is that something that you saw when you were racing or had you found that before?
No, just something you pick up when you’re racing. You pick up little things here and there. You’re carrying so much momentum on these things, sometimes you miss something and it works or you miss something and it doesn’t work. You always got to pay attention. You always got to be on your toes to try to find that little second. At the last round, I think there was a couple tests four of us were all within the same second. It’s just a little thing. If you dab your foot or something you could go from winning a test to fourth or fifth. The racing is really tight this year. So back to the GNCC, you said you’re not 100% the first hour and a half. Do you think you’re like 90%?
Yeah, you’re still pushing the envelope. Some races are different. Some races I feel like if I get out front or if Kailub gets out front we kind of try to get away from everybody and we kind of push a little bit. I know some races we’re 100% the whole three hours, and then some you can’t do that the whole three hours. I think we know what races we can do it at and we kind of pace ourselves and then go hard at the end. I know last weekend I was maxed out the last couple laps. It was a long day. It was like a seven-lap race and we ended up racing over three hours. Got to play your cards right and be there at the right time, for sure. n
GooD olD TImES bloG TROUBLE-FREE TRAVEL
An advertisement in the summer of 1951 had the following headlines, ‘Prolong your spare time with a Husqvarna – make the most of your evenings, weekends and vacation!’ Twelve years before, in 1939, the newly developed ‘Angel-Wing’ 118cc machine had been presented to the public. It would soon appeal to the masses and give many a rider some adventurous travel experiences.
bY KENNETH olAuSSoN pHoToS: HuSqvARNA
Stories of this multi-purpose machine are plentiful, some more outrageous than others. How about the young couple who in the beginning of the 50s set off from Sweden for a long European trip including the countries of Germany, Holland, Belgium and finally to cosmopolitan Paris in France? They were travelling with 35 kilograms of luggage on the rear rack. Middle-school teacher Karl Sundberg and his wife recalled their long trip.
“We never encountered any problems with the machinery, nor did we have any spectacular incidents that could have slowed us down. During the entire journey, all I had to do was clean the spark plug from time to time. We had a wonderful experience and never regretted having made this 4,000-kilometre voyage.”
From the beginning this 118cc Model 20 had become the average-salary persons dream. Most people had to work hard and dig deep into their pockets in order to be able to afford this small, but efficient luxury motorcycle. In the post-war period, the ‘Angel-Wing’ became a dominating factor on the fast-growing bike market. By 1946, Husqvarna had tooled up and introduced Model 24 of the 118cc bike. It was a threehorsepower machine and cost 960 Swedish kronor at a time when most people were making around 75 kronor a week. Husqvarna manufactured some 30,000 units of this model, now named the ‘Black-Mill’ (SvartQvarnan in Swedish), as it had been developed according to modern standards and in 1950 the Model 27 entered the market, again with a top speed of 75 km/h.
The Black-Mill was also seen in icy regions like Antarctica and under preposterous sunburn in the middle of Africa. Swede Göte Widelund had only done 100 kilometres on his motorcycle when he started riding south towards Europe in 1951. This man from Stockholm intended to go all the way to northern Africa on his 120 Husky. He packed 75 kilos of luggage in his rucksack and on a reinforced rear rack, hoping that the strength of his wheels would take him all the way. Widelund wanted to test man and machine against nature’s elements. And what a way to do it for a bike rookie! He started his 8,000-kilometre trip encountering snow and icy roads when riding through his home country and also through Denmark. Conditions were more stable in northern Europe, where he met a friendly landscape. Widelund came to see winter again when passing the Alps and crossing
some high-altitude passes in Switzerland.
In sunny Spain, temperatures were enjoyable and despite serpentine road-ways, he managed to make good time through this vast country. Having passed the Mediterranean Sea by boat, he then crossed hot North-African roads on the way to Morocco.
“My machine went like a clock and never once missed a beat nor let me down during my long trip. Actually, it was quite a nice feeling of accomplishment once I arrived in Casablanca.”
So, finally, Göte could put the Tabasco bottle on the table and enjoy his extraordinary efforts with a spicy salsa meal, seasoned by a real dose of chili sauce. Caramba!
A local postman, Valter Heinsjö of Anderstorp attracted attention after he recorded 113,568 gear changes upon his 26 months of duty in 1952. At the time the brand had some 600 dealers and every fourth biker in the land rode a Husqvarna.
“The daily distance was on gravel roads in the woods and measured 15.2 kilometres, which took an hour to cover. I never had any issues with my bike during more than two years of working and the Husqvarna did not see a garage, nor did it give me any headache at all. It was a reliable machine all the way.”
In 1954, we had gone from Model 24 to Model 30. In an advertisement, four versions of the 120cc were announced, the most expensive being the ‘30 Sport’. The catalogue now offered a red version, properly named the ‘Red-Mill’ and there was also an exciting ‘Blue-Mill’ outfit available. Model 32 was introduced in 1957 as the ‘32 Sport’, giving an output of six horsepower. It would prove to be the final
version and in 1959, production was terminated. Calculations prove that close to 100,000 units were produced over two decades.
In racing, this little creature found its way around many a track across Sweden, although it did not have the capacity to win big events. Top athlete Gunder Hägg liked to ride his Husqvarna – often without head protection. A photo of him on his 120 wearing trivial clothing, made headlines in the Swedish press. Seeing Gunder Hägg’s face and his riding style tells everything about having fun on a motorcycle.
Speedway star ‘Varg-Olle’ Nygren was more than once involved in marketing of the 120-machine. In various magazines, you could read about broad-sliding Nygren and his favourite bike, of course being his 120. Once, he was promoting a
lottery, while the next time, he tested the very same machine in one of the biggest motoring magazines in the country. “Varg-Olle” was quite famous in Sweden and his words on motorcycling were influential to most people.
Finally, there was the fish dealer Nils Lindh from Alingsas, who had bought his 120cc back in 1947. Nils Lindh used his little machine commuting for his daily fish trading. Seven years later he praised his bike for never letting him down even once.
“I used it regularly in all kinds of weather. Sometimes the motorcycle was heavily loaded and the roads could be merciless in our region here in western Sweden, but my Husqvarna was always up to the job.” n
AHEAD TO THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL
TEAM USA WON THE COVETED WORLD TROPHY TITLE AT THE 2016 ISDE IN SPAIN. CAN THIS YEAR’S SQUAD DUPLICATE THAT PERFORMANCE?
COUNTDOWN TO LOOKING
TO PORTUGAL
SIX DAYS ENDURO
Team USA set a precedent in 2016 when it won the World Trophy division at the International Six Days Enduro in Navarra, Spain, a landmark achievement that future teams will be judged against from now on. The past two years, American teams have come up short in returning to that milestone, but rest assured that team manager Antti Kallonen is plotting and planning this year’s strategy.
In an effort to raise awareness and to build interest early, On The Pegs will feature a story or interview about the ISDE in every issue until November. For our first installment, we thought we’d talk to Aussie off-roader Josh Strang, who was a big part of last year’s winning team in Chile. Josh has also been a big part of the American off-road scene for the past 10 years or so. In fact, it’s easy to forget that Josh is actually a foreign asset who has infiltrated US dirt bike racing.
With the aid of an interpreter (sly/happy face), we spoke to Josh about last year’s event, and Australia’s big win.
For the average off-roader, give us a comparison of the ISDE in Chile verses, say, a normal GNCC.
Six Days this year for me was more mentally demanding than the other ones. I felt physically fine and I felt like I was riding the same every day, but mentally I was drained. Long days and real repetitive stuff. So, days one and two were all the same, and both days we had two loops. By the end of the second day we were doing the same trail and it’s wore out because it’s so dry and there’s so many guys riding on it. Because you’re just riding at a slow speed, it’s just draining. My wrist was giving troubles towards the end of day five just because you’re sitting in the same spot from 8:15 to 3:30 in the afternoon. So it’s just long days. Even though they’re
not physically demanding days, they’re just mentally tough. Like sitting in the same spot, where your knee braces sit on the back of your legs, your legs are sore from that. Your ass is sore from sitting down on the road and that sort of stuff. So I think just overall the event is more mentally demanding than anything.
Since Chile was so dusty it was so easy to make mistakes in the special tests. You watch videos of Daniel Millner, he was just always really smooth, where if you went somewhere in Europe maybe where it was a real grass track, you could be more aggressive on the throttle. That’s somewhere where I struggled this year was just getting used to those conditions. There were places where my bike, I was running in third and fourth where normally I would never be in fourth gear or even third, and it’s a corner where you could probably do it in second, maybe even first, and you’re doing it in third gear because you’re trying to get as much as drive and as little spin as possible. It’s different. I think it’s an event that everyone could probably do. It’s not crazy. Zach Bell did his first one this year, and there’s people that do their first all the time. It’s not an event that’s impossible, it’s just you have to be smart about it. It’s an endurance event where you just have to keep going and looking after your stuff.
Talk about the balance between going fast versus the need to finish.
Spain for me, I think every test in Spain I crashed leading up to that fourth day. This year I came into it thinking, it is a six-day event. It’s not a full gas where you have to make the twelve tests. I don’t know how many tests total we did. We have trail, and it’s regular road rules here, not very much restriction on speed and that sort of stuff. They were complaining about some of the
riders going too fast, but you have to follow road rules. You have to remember that you’re in a different country also - the Australians were riding on the wrong side of the road all week. So you have to concentrate on that. And then you come to a test where you might have just done an hour and a half just trail riding. Then you have to switch on and do it at 110% for ten or eleven minutes. It’s mentally tough to do that and figure out how to do it, especially with the conditions, without going too hard on the throttle and too much tires. Then with it being so dry this year where you’re trying to save the tire. In the trail, you want to ride as slow as you can or as smooth as you can without getting any wheel spin to keep the tire good for the sixth test of the day. I noticed that the end of the second day on some of those tests, the first loop you’d go around the track and there was some grip, and then the second time around when your tire was getting wore out there was no grip. It made it really difficult, especially then you’re tired. You’re thinking about tire changes at the end of the day. You’re thinking about something else. You come into the test and then all of a sudden there’s less grip than there was the last time you rode that test. So, it’s odd. It all just piles on.
How do you feel at the end of Six Days?
I think this was my seventh Six Day, and the sixth one I’ve finished. So I’ve had a pretty good run. I’ve always found that near the end, the start of day four is the hardest to get through. You get through day three, you really only have four and five left because six is fairly easy. You walk all these tests leading up to the event and you’re already fatigued and I would say on edge. I am, at least because I don’t enjoy walking the tests. This year they were so hilly. We walked them twice each,
some of them three times each. So you’re on edge, then you’re racing from 8:00 to 3:30. Then you have to relube up tires and get mousses ready for the next day. Then every afternoon we would go walking tests again. So by the time we were getting back to the motel it was 8:30 and we weren’t eating dinner until 9:00, and during the day we’re not eating. So you get more tired throughout the event. But day five was good because it was a fresher test, for the most part. It’s exciting. n
2019 US MOTOTRIALS
May 25-26 Nebraska
June 1-2 Minnesota
June 15-16 Colorado
June 22-23 Oregon
2019 UTE CUP
August 17-18 San Isabel, CO
2019 FIM TRIAL GP
May 25-26 Italy
June 7-9 Japan
June 22-23 Netherlands
June 29-30 Belgium
July 13-14 Portugal
July 20-21 France
Aug 31-Sept 1 Great Britain
Sept 21-22 Spain
2018 TRIAL DES NATIONS
Sept 27-28 Ibeza
2019 AMA NATIONAL ENDURO SERIES
WWW.NATIONALENDURO.COM
Feb 3
Sumter, South Carolina
March 24 Prmond Beach, FL
April 28
Forest Hill, LA
May 12 Arrington, VA
June 9 Greensboro, GA
July 28
Cross Fork, PA
August 25 Wellston, OH
Sept 8 Park Hills, MO
Oct 6 Matthews, IN
Oct 20 Sand Springs, OK
2019 DAKAR
JAN 6-17 Peru
2019 WORLD SUPER ENDURO
Dec 8 Krakow, Poland
Jan 5 Riesa, Germany
Jan 26 Madrid, Spain
Feb 9 Budapest,
March 9 Bilbao, Spain
2019 FIM WORLD ENDURO
April 12-14 TBA
May 10-12 Santiago,
May 17-19 Valpacos,
June 14-16 Ajaccio, Corsica
June 21-23 Rovetta, Italy
Sept 13-15 Janovice, Czech
Sept 27-29 Ambert, France
2019 FIM WORLD ENDURO
May 10-12 Extreme XL
May 17-19 Trèfle Lozérien
May 30-June 2 Erzbergrodeo, TBA Classic Enduro, July 30-Aug 4 Red Bull Romaniacs, Sept 21-22 Hawkstone
Oct 5-6 Solsona Enduro, Nov 2-3 GetzenRodeo,
2019 INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS
November 11-16 Portimao,
22019 KENDA FULL GAS SPRINT
WWW.SPRINTENDURO.COM
Feb 9-10 Gaston, SC
March 2-3 Blackshear, GA
April 6-7 Greeneville, TN
May 25-26 Glen Daniel, WV
June 15-16 Bristol, VA
July 13-14 Fairmount City, PA
ENDURO
Poland
Germany
Spain
Budapest, Hungary
Spain
CHAMPIONSHIP
Spain
Portugal
Corsica
Italy
Czech Republic
France
SUPER
SERIES
XL Lagares, Pprtugal
Lozérien AMV, France
Erzbergrodeo, Austria)
Enduro, Italy
Romaniacs, Romania
Hawkstone Park Cross Country, UK
Enduro, Spain
GetzenRodeo, Germany
DAYS ENDURO
Portugal
Aug 10-11 Hayesville, NC
Sept 1-2 Laurens, SC
2019 WORCS
Jan 11-13 Primm, NV
Feb 1-3
March 1-3
Glen Helen, CA
Lake Havasu City, AZ
March 15-17 Peoria, AZ
April 12-14
Las Vegas, NV
April 26-28 Milford, CA
May 17-19 Mesquite, NV
July 31-Aug 4 Grays Harbor, WA
Sept 6-8
Glen Helen, CA
Sept 27-29 Taft, CA
Oct 25-27 Primm, NV
2019 Best In The Desert
Jan 11-12 Parker, AZ
Mar 7-10
Las Vegas, NV
April 5-7 Laughlin, NV
May 2-5 Alamo, NV
Aug 14-17 Vegas-to-Reno
2019 TRIALS INC.
WWW.TRIALSINC.ORG
April 13-14 Tippecanoe, Ohio
April 27-28 Garrettsville, OH
Mar 18-19
Little Hocking, OH
Jul 20-21 Toronto, OH
Aug 10-11 Sidell, IL
Aug 31-Sept 1 Newark, OH
Sept 14-15 Bloominton, IN
Sept 28-29 Bedford, KY
Nov 3
Pickerington, OH