On the Pegs Magazine - 08 August 2018 by On the Pegs

Volume 3, Issue 8, August 2018

TOTH STRIKES AT THE RATTLESNAKE BOU BEST IN BELGIUM AND FRANCE

LEARN THE SMAGE STYLE!

SUPERIOR STYLE AND SOUND

Available exclusively through an authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles dealership, the FMF Factory 4.1 RCT Mufﬂ er exudes forward-thinking technology inside and out, to complement the premium performance of your Husqvarna motorcycle. Crafted from only aerospace-grade materials, more power and torque comes easy without additional weight or compromised style. Closed-course use only.

CHAMPIONS RIDE KENDA

The Big Picture

AND GAM TOE THE LINE

Josh Toth drags a toe in the opening test at the Cherokee National Enduro in Georgia. The FMF KTM Factory racer finished second overall, which matches he best-ever finish in the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series.

PHOTO BY SHAN MOORE

The Big Picture

AND GAM WONDERLAND

Toni Bou launches to victory in a French wonderland during the French round of the Trial GP series.

PHOTO COURTESY TRIALGP/PEP SEGALES

The Big Picture

AND GAM SMOKIN’

EVAN SMITH APPEARS TO BE LAYING DOWN A CHEM TRAIL AT THE RECENT FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO IN PENNSYLVANIA.

PHOTO BY SHAN MOORE

The Big Picture

AND GAM AIR MAIL

Steward Baylor hit this g-out so hard that the ground shook when he landed. “Stew” finished second at the Full Gas Sprint Enduro in Clarion, Pennsylvania.

PHOTO BY SHAN MOORE

The Big Picture

AND GAM FOCUSED

Jonny Walker at speed during the prologue portion of this year’s Red Bull Romaniacs in Sibiu, Romania. The Red Bull KTM rider finished fifth in the prologue, which sets the stage for the four day event. Look for full coverage in next months On The Pegs

PHOTO BY PREDRAG VUCKOVIC/REDBULL CONTENT

The Big Picture

AND GAM WATTS UP?

Christophe Braund attacks a near vertical hill on his Electric Motion during the ECup Trial class of the Belgium TrialGP. Braund finished third in the ECup series.

BY SPEP

SEGALES/TRIALGP

PHOTO

SILENCETHE COMPETITION

FMFFACTORY4.1RCTMUFFLER

MANUFACTURED FROM HIGH-GRADE TITANIUM AND EQUIPPED WITH A CARBON END CAP, THE FMF FACTORY 4.1 RCT MUFFLER IS EXCLUSIVE TO KTM POWERPARTS.

AVAILABLE ONLY AT AN AUTHORIZED KTM DEALER

CLOSED COURSE / COMPETITION USE ONLY!

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

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

Extreme Power Sports • Steamboat, CO • 970-879-9175

Grand Mesa Motorsports • Delta, CO • 970-874-8621

MotoAdventure • Loveland, CO • 970-669-5377

Spirit Lake Motorsports • Grand Lake CO • 970-627-9288

Level 10 Performance Motorsports • Ormond Beach, FL • 386-944-9160

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

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 Powersports LLC • 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

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 Inc. • East Peoria, IL • 309-699-3929

Fatty’s Cycle• Fortville, IN • 37-485-6200

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

Xtreme Powersports • Accident, Bennett Powersports

• Marlette, MX Parts Now • Watervliet, Plus One Performance

• Bonecutter Body Shop • Donnell’s Motorcycles • Motorcycles and More • QC Moto

• Springfield, MO Fastoys • Kalispell, MT • Hanson’s Motorsports

• Billings, Kurt’s Polaris • Missoula, Poet Motorcycles

• Helena, Brewer Cycles • Henderson,

Johnny’s Cycle • Nebraska

Naults Powersports

• Manchester, Town & Country Cycle Center Trapani Race Setups • Waretown, Champion Motorsports •

2018 250 RR 2-STROKE

The Beta 250 RR comes standard with new Sach’s ZF forks and rear shock that have been designed to increase sensitivity while enhancing comfort and traction.

Accident, MD • 301-387-2095

Marlette, MI • 989-635-5500

Watervliet, MI • 269-201-7064

Dearborn, MI • 313-918-8944

California, MO • 573-796-8685

Independence, MO • 816-478-9393

Marthasville, MO • 636-433-2384

MO • 417-862-4343

DT Motorsports • Alamogordo, NM • 575-434-0454

Sierra BMW Motorcycle • Sparks, NV • 775-355-0655

Sportsman Cycle • Las Vegas, NV • 702-641-6401

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

Pony Powersports • Westerville, OH • 614-212-7888

Rosco’s Motorcycle & ATV • Rapid City, SD • 605-348-3946

Garry Griffith Cycle • Chattanooga, TN • 423-867-0423

Knox Enduro • Knoxville, TN • 865-308-0330

380 Motorsports • Decatur, TX • 817-752-8456

Big Country Motorsports • Magnolia, TX • 281-356-2506

Moto El Paso • El Paso, TX • 915-566-6666

Cutler’s Inc. • Orem, UT • 801-224-5005

Ridgeline Motorsports • Vernal, UT • 435-789-7433

406-257-8697

Billings, MT • 406-545-7338

Missoula, MT • 406-541-3651

Helena, MT • 406-457-8230

Henderson, NC • 252-492-8553

Nebraska City, NE • 402-873-6913

Manchester, NH • 603-669-7220

Center • Hamburg, NJ • 973-875-2111

Waretown, NJ • 609-693-3773

Roswell, NM • 575-624-0151

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

Kissell Motorsports • State College, PA • 814-861-7890

Pro Motorsports • Carnnegie, PA • 724-444-6555

RyanCo Cycle Works • Bloomsburg, PA • 570-437-4034

South Mtn Cycle Shop • Dillsburg, PA • 717-432-4997

Upstate Cycle • Greenville SC • 864-232-7223

Steadmans Recreation • Tooele, UT • 435-882-3344

Sunny Offroad • George, UT • 435-632-8481

Sunny Offroad • Perry, UT • 801-430-1101

Allsport Cycles • Roanoke, VA • 540-772-2500

Frank’s Motor Bikes/Bellevue, WA • 425-603-9000

Smitty’s Outdoor Power & Cycle • Yakima, WA • 509-453-9966

Sprocket Sport Sales • Spokane, WA • 509-489-7331

Metro Motorcycle • Neenah, WI • 920-722-0700

Appalachian Offroad • Lanes, WV • 304-932-0437

Alpine Motorsports • Casper, WY • 307-234-4944

THE LOOP

News and Culture From The World Of Trials, Offroad and Extreme Racing

TONI BOU INJURY REPORT

Good news for Toni Bou after his injury in the right knee during the practice session at the Belgium TrialGP. After the tests carried out on July 23rd at the Creu Blanca Clinic in Barcelona, Dr. Joaquim Terricabras was able to observe that the Repsol Honda Team rider had a postcontusional bone edema on the anterior side of both tibial plates and on the external femoral condyle with joint effusion in the right knee. The team doctor estimates that, after a few weeks of rest, Bou will be able to participate in the next trial scheduled for 1st and 2nd September in Silsden, England.

Photos Courtesy

TrialGP

BOBBITT ON THE MEND

Five-time National Enduro Champion Russell Bobbitt injured his knee in the second test at the recent Rattlesnake Enduro and was forced to pull out.

On The Pegs spoke to Russell on the Wednesday after the race to find out what happened.

“In the second test I hit a rogue land mine rock that sent me into a tree and I had a direct hit to my patella and I took a quick jab to the ground with my foot,” said Bobbitt. “I never hit the ground, but it gradually got worse, forcing me to call it a day.”

Russell saw a specialist on Wednesday and this is what he was told.

“All the major stuff looks good and solid, and it seems like from what he told me it was an acute injury to my janky patella, that I have broken, plus tendinitis and/or bone bruise so it should be good after some time”

Russell told us he was going to take it easy for a few days and see how it progresses. He had no estimation of when he would return to action.

On The Pegs will stay in contact with the Georgia rider and pass on any new reports.

EAST COAST YOUTH WOMEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

During the Fourth of July week, the Trials Training Center hosted the annual East miere youth event in America and it is where some of the top talent in the country Here are results from the 2018 event.

2018 East Coast Youth National Results

OVERALL RESULTS

Youth A0 15-Under Champ

1. William Myers (90)

2. Elliott Key (75)

Youth A1 15-Under Advanced

1. Erick McCurdy (90)

2. Mitchell Littlefield (75)

3. Jarred Harrel (60)

4. Blake Bronstein (57)

Youth A2 15-Under Intermediate

1. Seth Vorseth (90)

2. Juliana Davis (75)

Youth B1 13-Under Champ

1. Dalton Land (90)

2. William Spring Jr. (75)

Youth B2 13-Under Advanced

1. Chasen Orme (85)

2. Hailey Glueck (76)

3. Courtney Allison (57)

4. Dylan Lorzano (46)

Youth B3 13-Under Novice

1. Sewart Sawyer (85)

2. Titus Kliza (80)

Youth C2 11-Under Champ

1. Max Glueck (85)

2. Sherman Smith III (80)

3. Mika Lonsdale (58)

4. Talon Smith (57)

5. Riley Wickersham (50)

6. Kelly Fieldhouse (47)

7. Logan Conley (27)

8. Lucas Conley (27)

Youth C3 11-Under Advanced

1. Nememiah Kliza (81)

2. Nathan Klein (68)

3. Aiden Dorsch (16)

YOUTH NATIONAL AND CHAMPIONSHIPS

East Coast Youth Nationals and Women’s Open Championships. This is the precountry got their start, including current champion Pat Smage.

Results

Youth D3 9-Under Champ

1. Brayden Wickersham (80)

2. Asa Fox (76)

3. ANthony Porter (72)

4. Preston Blumhorst (54)

5. Kylie Glueck (48)

Youth E4 7-Under Champ

1. Kevan Ingold (90)

2. Caiden Villand (68)

3. Gabriel Kliza (62)

4. Owen Field (58)

5. SaraBeth Smith (52)

6. Cash Blumhorst (44)

7. Aubry Ingold (40)

8. Eli Delsman (29)

2018 East Coast Women’s Open Results

OVERALL RESULTS

Women’s Open Class

1. Madeleine Hoover (90)

Women’s Expert Class

1. Laura Peters (90)

Women’s Advanced Class

1. Hailey Glueck (90)

2. Hannah Smage (71)

3. Gwendalyn Conley (62)

4. Courtney Allison (54)

5. Juliana Davis (53)

Women’s Intermediate Class

1. Gretchen Orme (90)

2. Kylie Gleuck (75)

Women’s Novice Class

1. Lauralie Hart (90)

2. SaraBeth Smith (75)

3. Aubrey Ingold (63)

2019 VERTIGO COMBAT VERTICAL

VERTIGO COMBAT VERTICAL 2019

Vertigo proudly announces its new Combat Vertical 2019, a bike that features many and interesting innovations from former models. From the more visual an aesthetic parts, with the addition of new colours, to the technical and mechanic specifications, the Vertical 2019 has been completely redesigned. All that is applied with the eyes set on keep producing a motorbike with an elevated differential factor, and at the same time, deliver a standard model capable of increasing the value and the experiential quality of our customers experiences. The 4 SSDT victories in a row clinched by Dougie Lampkin, or the several podiums and victories taken in the World and European Championships, constitute the basis of the development process for brand’s production models, a fact that brings an extra component of quality and reliability. The new Vertical won’t be available until July, the moment when its distribution will start.

VERTIGO COMBAT VERTICAL 2019 125c.c.

Vertigo’s commitment with young riders is a fact. What is more, this season the brand kickstarted the Vertigo Junior Factory Team programme, which is currently helping several international riders to go on with their riding in their respective National Championships. Following this line of promoting and enhancing trials young prospects, Vertigo is really pleased to unveil its first 125c.c. model.

Thanks to its exclusive tubular frame, the Vertical model has become one of the most light and easy-handling bike out on the market. This aspect is even more important in a 125c.c., specially for those riders who are just about to make the switch from smaller bikes. In that sense, the Vertical 125c.c. has been conceived with the same image of the current models, featuring identical design and composition from her older sisters, the 250c.c. and the 300c.c., including the injection system. With a powerful but at the same time docile engine, this model represents the perfect starting point for the young riders to begin their way to the elite of trials.

SMAGE RIDING TECHNIQUE PAT

FOR THE NEXT YEAR, NINE-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!

LESSON 8: CREEKS

S3 FIM Rear Sprockets

Max Sug. Retail: $59.95

Website: www.rypusa.com

Ryan Young Products carries the S3 FIM approved rear sprockets in four colors. Check out the video. For more information, go to www.rypusa.com

*Applicable to select models only. Some restrictions apply.

REACH NEW HEIGHTS

Husqvarna Motorcycles presents the perfect opportunity to reach all new heights aboard a new 2016, 2017 or 2018 off-road motorcycle.Rates as low as 1.99% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on eligible models.

The Kawasaki KLR 650 is one of largest selling motorcycle models in the world. People use this machine in all types of conditions. Enduro Engineering has the perfect item to make sure your KLR 650 is protected from any debris that can get underneath. Kawasaki sells the KLR with a plastic skid plate, that will only get you so far before it fails. Enduro Engineering has built a skid plate for the KLR 650 out of high strength Aluminum that will hold up to nearly everything you put it to.

Installation of the New Enduro Engineering Kawasaki KLR 650 Skid Plate is simple. EE uses the existing mounting holes from the OEM Skid Plate. Making it 4 bolts for easy installation. There is also extra protection on the bottom of the skid plate to protect the drain plug bolt that sticks down past the frame rails. There is excellent protection on the KLR 650 Skid Plate all over, from the engine cases, to the drain plug.

The Kawasaki KLR 650 Skid Plate comes Pre Drilled to accept an Enduro Engineering Linkage guard for added protection. This linkage guard will help from getting mud and gravel lodged into the linkage. It will also help your KLR glide over rocks, logs and other debris. Call EE at 517-393-2421 and Receive Free Shipping on this Part.

Website: www.betausa.com

JOSH TOTH MOVED INTO A TIE WITH STEWARD BAYLOR FOR FIRST PLACE IN THE SERIES STANDINGS WITH HIS WIN AT THE RATTLESNAKE ENDURO

TOTH STRIKES AT RATTLESNAKE ENDURO

KENDA AMA NATIONAL ENDURO SERIES

ROUND SIX

CROSS FORK, PENNSYLVANIA

JULY 22, 2018

The big take away from the recent Rattlesnake Enduro is that FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Toth has established himself as a legitimate contender for the championship title in this year’s Kenda AMA National Enduro series and that the Tely Energy tandem of Steward Baylor and Grant Baylor are not unbeatable in 2018. Meanwhile, Trail Jesters Racing KTM’s Ben Kelley threw his name in the mix by claiming his first career test win of the series en route to a runner-up finish –another personal best.

Toth scored one test win and added in four more steady and consistent tests to claim the overall victory by 31 seconds over Kelley. Meanwhile, Steward Baylor struggled for most of the day after winning test number one.

Grant Baylor appeared to be on his way to a third-straight national enduro victory after winning tests two and three, however his go-for-it style turned around and bit him in test number four when he launched himself headlong into a massive boulder, dislocating his shoulder and knocking him silly. The younger Baylor brother managed to regroup and finish the race in fourth.

“I’m beyond excited to get my first National Enduro win off my back,” said Toth. “I’ve been close but very happy to get it behind me and get more! I rode smart today and using what I’ve learned in the previous enduros to stay consistent and keep the intensity in the tests. I’m pretty happy with my riding but looking forward to making more improvements in the upcoming weeks! I’m very happy to get this win and build on it and go after the championship!”

Fifth overall went to FAR Racing Gas Gas North America’s Andrew DeLong. The former National Enduro champion has been on the comeback trail , getting back up to speed after spending the last few years dealing with a nagging wrist injury.

BEN KELLEY

Ben Kelley the Rattlesnake up finish.

“Coming like I could said Kelley. Had some top just really wanted happy to get

“I felt like but had a bit tests. Finally was riding ally well all

“I had one and sent me a few bobbles nothing crazy.

“The last sults, but I was just going straight up. here. This track the terrain. and that rain that’s stuff was awesome. these conditions.

It feels really It’s always level head This race really hard and try round.”

KELLEY

Kelley scored his first ever test win at Rattlesnake and also a first-ever runner-

into this race I was excited and felt do really well here in the rocks,” Kelley. “Throughout the day I felt good. top three finishes and stuff and I wanted to win a test today. Really get it done in the final test. like I was riding pretty good all day, bit of arm pump in the first few Finally was able to get rid of that and a bit smoother. I felt like I rode reall day.

one crash where a tree caught me me down, but other than that just bobbles here and there in the ruts but crazy.

few rounds I haven’t had good refelt like I rode well. Everyone else going faster and they just beat me up. It feels really good to come into track really suited me well with terrain. Definitely the rocks and roots, rain we got yesterday was nice and I like to ride. I thought the track awesome. A little slippery, but I love conditions.

really good to get back on the box. a booster, but got to just keep a and keep doing what I’m doing. really suited, but going to work try to do good again at the next

DeLong was third fastest in the test three and managed to edge his brother, Craig DeLong, out for fifth place overall by just six seconds.

“Today was the closest I’ve been to being competitive in a long time and I feel like I’m coming back around to my old form,’ said DeLong. “It was good to be racing with my brother, it made for a fun day.”

Craig DeLong’s sixth marked the Coastal Racing Husqvarna rider’s best finish in a national enduro.

Craig had a good first test, which he said set the tone for the day, although he struggled in the third test, losing 20 second to his brother.

Cory Buttrick snapped a brake line in the second test of the day, but still managed to finish seventh. The KR4 Husqvarna rider edged SRT Racing’s Evan Smith by just six seconds for the position.

Ninth went to Beta USA’s Mike Witkowski, while AA rider KTMmounted Jesse Ansley rounded out the top 10.

After six rounds, Toth and Steward Baylor sit atop the series standings with `123 points each. Meanwhile, Ben Kelley moved ahead of Grant Baylor by one point to take over third in the standings, 92 points to 91. Buttrick rounds out the top five with 77 points.

(continued on page 79)

JOSH TOTH

It seemed as though it wasn’t a matter of if, but when Josh Toth would get his first win of the series. He’s been close several times this year and in Pennsylvania the Connecticut rider put it all together.

“I knew coming into this round I’d be good here and really competitive,” said Toth. “I had a feeling this week that I would do really well here, so I’m super pumped to get the win. I knew I could ride really well and I was just hoping for some rocky tests, because I know I can pull those guys in the rocks. I was just hoping the gnarlier test the better.

“I’ve been improving throughout the year, and I was pretty consistent today. Not too many mistakes. It was tough because it was so slick. It was easy to go down. I had one good get-off in the second test. I set the front wheel down on a slick log and then tumbled and bent the bars. We had to change those out. Other than that, it was pretty uneventful. I just tried to stay off the ground and just limit mistakes, really. Just take smart lines, too. It’s hard because so many different lines and stuff. To always find the fastest one is hard.”

Toth said he used multiple Dunlop tread patterns during the event, using Dunlop’s AT81 for the grass track, and then opting for the Dunlop “gummy” for the rest of the event.

GRANT’S BIG CRASH

Grant Baylor appeared to be locking into a third-straight national enduro win in 2018 but then it all came crashing down - literally - in the fourth test when he landed headfirst into a massive rock, seperating his shoulder and knocking himself silly.

“The day was kind of a struggle from the start,” said Grant. “I had a crash in the first test. I think I ended up around sixth in there. Gave these guys a little head start. Then went out and won the next two I was two seconds down from Josh and went into test four and I had a really good test going. Then about a mile from the finish I came around a corner and hit a big rock garden in about third gear wide open. Just came around this fast corner not even expecting it. I just hit these rocks and dislocated my shoulder, knocked the wind out of me. Broke the grip. Destroyed my bike. Knocked myself out for a second there. I couldn’t see anything. I lost almost two minutes in there doing that. I still salvaged a fourth for the weekend, but it’s okay for me because Steward’s leading the points and he finished third. So I didn’t lose too many valuable points today, but still it was an awful day. I think I hit the ground about eight times today in the five tests that we ran. But other than that, when I didn’t have that big crash I was riding good and it was looking like a good day.”

STEWARD BAYLOR WON THE FIRST TEST OF THE DAY BUT STRUGGLED WITH CONSISTENCY AND FINISHED OFF THE DAY IN THIRD

EVAN SMITH

KR4 Husqvarna’s Tayla Jones took the win in a packed Women’s Elite class, beating Trail Jesters KTM Racing’s Mackenzie Tricker by a tick over three minutes.

“I lost about 40 seconds in the first test, I just rode terrible and cautious,” said Jones. “I improved with each test, though, and I ended up riding pretty well at the end of the race so I’m pretty happy to get the win.”

KTM-mounted Shyann Phelps rounded out the podium in third, with Natasha Lachepelle (KTM) and Kelsey Pacholke (Hsq) in fourth and fifth.

RESULTS

1. Josh Toth (KTM)

2. Ben Kelley (KTM)

3. Steward Baylor (KTM)

4. Grant Baylor (KTM)

5. Andrew DeLong (GG)

6. Craig DeLong (Hsq)

7. Cory Buttrick (Hsq)

8. Evan Smith (Hsq)

9. Mike Witkowski (Bet)

10. Jesse Ansley (KTM)

NE PRO2: TEAMMATES 1-2

AirGroup/Enduro Engineering Husqvarna teammates Jake Froman and Logan Lowrey grabbed the top two spots in the NE Pro2 class, with Froman edging his teammate by just two seconds for the win. The top three spots were still up for grabs heading into the final test, with Froman, Lowrey and Jarrett Mohn separated by just three seconds. In the end, Froman was 11th in the overall standings to claim the win, with Lowrey finishing 12th overall for second in class. Mohn was 14th overall for third in the NE Pro2 class.

“I’ve never really had a good result here and I wouldn’t call myself the best rock rider, so it’s good to get the win today,” said Froman. “I stayed smooth all day and I never had any problems until the final test and I was going for it and I ended up snapping off my brake pedal with two miles to do.” Lowrey was equally pleased with second place. It was good for sure,” said Lowrey. “We rode good all day. I was really consistent. I made a few mistake that last test, but overall I’m really happy with my riding. I was nervous coming into this race. This has always been a race that I’ve really struggled at, so to get a good result was definitely a step in the right direction.”

LOGAN LOWREY (LEFT) AND JAKE FROMAN (RIGHT) CELEBRATE WITH EE TEAM MANAGER MIKE “NAPPER” NAPER NAPIERALSKI.

RYDER LAFFERTY WAS ON HAND TO WATCH THE RATTLESNAKE. THE NEW JERSEY IS CURRENTLY RECOVERING FROM AN INJURY HE SUFFERED THE WEEK BEFORE.

MEET WOODY BRAMLETT, MACKENZIE TRIACKER’S MECHANIC.

TOP US TRIALS RIDER JAY GREGOROWICZ PUT ON A TRIALS DEMONSTRATION ON HIS BETA FACTORY BIKE ON SATURDAY.

ALFREDO GOMEZ: RETURNING TO ACTION

Romaniacs was just getting underway as we were finishing up this issue of On The Pegs, and we will have full coverage of the event the next issue. In the meantime, Future7Media spoke to premiere extreme racer Alfredo Gomez about his return to action at this year’s Red Bull Romaniacs.

Returning from injury, Gomez makes his official debut in the World Enduro Super Series at round four - Red Bull Romaniacs.

Forced to watch from the sidelines as the inaugural WESS season got underway due to a pre-season knee injury, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider has been given the all clear to compete this week in Romania.

A firm fan favorite, the Spaniard is looking forward to getting back to competitive action following five tough months of intensive recovery.

“I’m so happy to have the all clear to ride again and I’m looking forward to racing

Photos

Red Bull Romaniacs,” tells Gomez. “I had a lot of damage to my knee and the recovery process was very tough and extensive — there was a lot of physiotherapy required to return to racing.”

Although making a brief appearance at round two’s Erzbergrodeo to participate in the Iron Road Prologue, Gomez has only been back riding for the last three weeks. However, with a good track record at Red Bull Romaniacs and multiple podium results to his name, he’s keen for the week-long race to begin.

“I wanted to ride at Erzbergrodeo simply because I won there in 2017 and wanted to ride with #1 on my bike — but I wasn’t ready for the main race,” admits the Spaniard. “Only three weeks ago I began to ride again properly. It’s not ideal preparation for a race like Red Bull Romaniacs but I have a lot of experience here so I know what to expect.”

With such a short spell of training under his belt leading into the Romanian Hard Enduro Rallye, he knows challenging for victory will be a tall ask and instead is focused on building up his race fitness for the remaining WESS rounds.

“I’m not expecting to win,” says Gomez. “My target is to simply finish the race and get some important race miles under my belt. There’s still a lot of racing left in the championship and I want to be back at my best for the remaining events.”

PERFECT! GRANT BAYLOR TOPS THE CHEROKEE

CHEROKEE NATIONAL ENDURO

GREENSBORO, GEORGIA

JULY 8, 2018

GRANT BAYLOR WON ALL SEVEN TESTS TO WIN THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL ENDURO

JOSH TOTH IN THE KENDA SERIES WITH

Grant Baylor turned in a near-perfect performance at the Cherokee National Enduro this weekend, winning all seven tests en route to a decisive victory.

Grant’s star has been on the rise the last two months and that momentum led to a totally dominating performance this weekend. After 93 miles of tight woods racing, the Tely Racing KTM rider took the overall victory by oneminute-twenty-three seconds ahead of second place.

“I still had a few mistakes, but overall the performance was a good one and I’m pleased with it,” said Grant. “I just seemed to click perfectly with the bike today. Wherever I pointed my tires the bike went, and everything just hooked up.”

Sweeping an entire event (winning all of the tests) is a rare feat, though a few riders have done it, including Grant’s brother, Steward Baylor. However, the chances of doing so when there is a seventh test are incredible.

“This has always been one of my goals was to win all of the tests and we went the extra mile this weekend since there were seven tests in stead of the usual six,” said Grant. “I’ve been picking up speed little by little this year and I’m excited about where it has taken me.”

Josh Toth was another rider having an exceptional day. The FMF KTM Factory rider equaled his career-best finish of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series with a second place, beating out Steward Baylor by 16 seconds.

“I didn’t win any tests today but I felt solid all day,” said Toth. “Grant was really riding strong, but it was close between the top three riders, which makes it enjoyable. I’m starting to read the trail a bit better and I’m more comfortable going fast on trail that I haven’t seen before.

CORY BUTTRICK TURNED IN HIS BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON WITH A FOURTH

I think all of those factors led to my performance today.”

Toth gained a few points on Steward in the series standings, although Steward still holds a nine-point advantage over the Connecticut rider with five rounds to go.

Steward rounded out the podium in third, despite dealing with an injured knee and a case of the flu this week.

“I haven’t been able to train over the last couple of weeks and I think that affected my timing,” said Steward. “I’ve been sick all week and the heat today didn’t help any.”

Steward came on strong in the final two tests, but came just short in his bid to catch Toth.

KR4 Husqvarna’s Cory Buttrick turned in his best performance of the season with a fourth place, missing the podium by just under a minute. Buttrick is one of the only Pro riders that does his own maintenance at the track.

Buttrick finished second to Grant Baylor in the fourth test.

“It was satisfying being towards the front again,” said Buttrick. “It’s also satisfying doing it on your own, although my wife, Mackenzie, helps were she can. It’s tough not being able to catch your breath all day.

“It was really tough to keep it upright, there were a lot of roots. I always have a good time when I come here, I really love this place.”

SRT Racing’s Evan Smith rounded out the top five with a steady and nearly error-free day.

“It was actually a pretty clean day; I didn’t fall or hit any trees,” said Smith. “I really don’t feel like fifth reflects how well I rode today. I don’t live too far from here, so I was right at home in this stuff.”

Solid Performance KTM’s Ryder Lafferty finished sixth overall, which also gave him the

BEN KELLEY

KELLEY HAD AN OFF WEEKEND IN EIGHTH.

win in the NE Pro2 class. Lafferty made the switch from a KTM 250F to a 350F for this race.

“I had a mistake in the third test and I got lost, so that cost me a few seconds, but overall it was a pretty clean day,” said Lafferty. “It was my first ride on the big bike and I’m pretty happy with it.”

Five-time National Enduro Champion Russell Bobbitt finished seventh on his Gnarly Routes KTM. Bobbitt got off to a shaky start but then settled in for the final three tests and finished the race with three-straight times inside the top five.

Trail Jesters KTM Racing’s Ben Kelley had an off day with an eighth place finish, while Jake Froman was ninth overall and second in the NE Pro2 class in his debut ride with the AirGroup/ Enduro Engineering Husqvarna team.

FAR Racing/Gas Gas North America’s Andrew DeLong rounded out the top 10.

KTM mounted Nathan Ferderer was third in the NE Pro2 division with a 13th overall finish.

KR4 Husqvarna’s Tayla Jones edged Trail Jesters KTM Racing/Bonanza Plumbing’s Mackenzie Tricker by five seconds to win the Women’s Elite class. Jones won four tests, with Tricker winning two.

“I started off a bit slow, but then it picked up,” said Jones. “Some of the places were a bit sketchy because of the stumps, but overall it was a good day.”

Tricker is relatively new to the national enduro format but she is improving quickly.

“I won a couple of tests and I think I had a pretty solid day,” said Tricker. “I’m feeling more comfortable with each race and I really felt good today.”

Kendall Lafollette finished third on a KTM. Jesse Ansley (KTM) topped Vincent Smith

ANDREW DELONG GETS STRONGER WITH EACH RACE. HE WAS 10TH IN GEORGIA

(KTM) and James King (Yam) to win the AA class.

RESULTS

1. Grant Baylor (KTM)

2. Josh Toth (KTM)

3. Steward Baylor (KTM)

4. Cory Buttrick (Hsq)

5. Evan Smith (Hsq)

6. Ryder Lafferty (KTM)

7. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)

8. Ben Kelley (KTM)

9. Jake Froman (Hsq)

10. Andrew DeLong (GG)

Mike “Napper” Napieralski turns the wrenches on the AirGroup/ Enduro Engineering Husqvarnas ridden by Logan Lowrey and Jake Froman.

KENDA FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO SERIES ROUND 5

JULY 14-15, 2018

CLARION, PENNSYLVANIA

COMES FROM BEHIND COMES FROM BEHIND

RYAN SIPES CAME BACK FROM A ROUGH DAY ON SATURDAY TO WIN THE OVERALL IN PENNSYLVANIA

JOSH STRANG BATTLED FOR THE LEAD ALL WEEKEND BUT A CRASH IN THE FINAL TEST DEOPPED HIM TO THIRD

Grant Baylor turned in a near-perfect performance at the Cherokee National Enduro this weekend, winning all seven tests en route to a decisive victory.

Toth gained a few points on Steward in the series standings, although Steward still holds a nine-point advantage over the Connecticut rider with five rounds to go.

Steward rounded out the podium in third, despite dealing with an injured knee and a case of the flu this week.

DEBRIEF: STEWARD

STEWARD BAYLOR DISECTS THE TRACK AND TALKS

It was not your typical sprint enduro, by any means. The only time that I’ve really ridden a cross test like this would be more ISDE. I’ve seen a couple tests at ISDE that were tighter like this. You never seemed to get out of third gear. It was really technical. Not technical in the aspect of rocks or roots or anything gnarly in the cross test, but it was technical picking your lines and dissecting the track. It was easy to over-analyze the corners and make too many mistakes because you wanted to put your bike somewhere that it didn’t want to go. What I found was in this hard-pack, dusty stuff you just kind of got to let it loose and let the bike

STEWARD BAYLOR

TALKS ABOUT HIS RACE

do what it wants to do. When I got in second today behind Ryan, I was following his lines and kind of watching what he was doing. Instead of over-setting up the corners he was coming in the main line and letting it take him wide, which is kind of the opposite of how you usually ride a cross test. I was able to follow those lines and put in some really good cross test times the last couple times. I even crashed in one and still got second. With that, I think it was good. Just looking forward to next weekend’s national enduro. It looks like it will be a little more wet up here for that one.

The weekend was okay, I guess, at best. Day one I knew it was going to be dusty. I pushed really hard in the first cross test. Opened up with a third place there and tried everything I could in the woods to get myself positioned in the lead. Just fell short of it. I knew that if I could get a gap or get a lead and I would be leading into the test you’d have dust between the guys. The problem was starting in the woods I was already in third place, so the dust was really lingering this weekend and just no breeze to carry it away. It was tough. I just could never get that break I needed to try to get up front. Strang ended up getting up front that day one, and as soon as he did it was game over. He and Hepler rode really well. I think until he got in the lead there was only five or six seconds separating the top five or six riders. Really tight racing. It was changing results quite a bit. Day two I put myself out to a really bad start. Finished in seventh at the first cross test. It kind of held me up there. I just couldn’t cut through the dust. Test two I ended up winning the test and moving myself into second behind Ryan. Strang and I went back and forth all day long. I finally got a little margin going into the last test, which is a woods test. I knew I just had to ride smart. The woods test I usually seem to fare really well. So I went out there and rode smart. It sounded like Josh had a tip-over in there, which ended up giving me the advantage I needed to get second on the weekend as well as second on the day. Points-wise, I think Josh and I flipped days. I think he actually passed me in points yesterday and I got him back today. I don’t think I lost much ground to Ryan since he finally had a bad day yesterday, which I’ll take it. It was a really good weekend. All in all, I think even with the dust I rode smooth. Didn’t make too terribly many mistakes and rode consistent. n

STEWARD BAYLOR GOT OFF TO A SLOW START ON DAY ONE BUT CAME ON STRONG TO FINISH THIRD.

“I haven’t been able to train over the last couple of weeks and I think that affected my timing,” said Steward. “I’ve been sick all week and the heat today didn’t help any.”

Steward came on strong in the final two tests, but came just short in his bid to catch Toth.

Buttrick finished second to Grant Baylor in the fourth test.

“It was really tough to keep it upright, there were a lot of roots. I always have a good time when I come here, I really love this place.”

SRT Racing’s Evan Smith rounded out the top five with a steady and nearly error-free day.

Solid Performance KTM’s Ryder Lafferty finished sixth overall, which also gave him the win in the NE Pro2 class. Lafferty made the switch from a KTM 250F to a 350F for this race.

Trail Jesters KTM Racing’s Ben Kelley had an off day with an eighth place finish, while Jake Froman was ninth overall and second in the NE Pro2 class in his debut ride with the

BROC HEPLER WON THE FIRST TWO TESTS ON THE WEEKEND, BUT TWISTED HIS KNEE ON SUNDAY

AirGroup/Enduro Engineering Husqvarna team.

FAR Racing/Gas Gas North America’s Andrew DeLong rounded out the top 10.

KTM mounted Nathan Ferderer was third in the NE Pro2 division with a 13th overall finish.

KR4 Husqvarna’s Tayla Jones edged Trail Jesters KTM Racing/Bonanza Plumbing’s Mackenzie Tricker by five seconds to win the Women’s Elite class. Jones won four tests, with Tricker winning two.

“I started off a bit slow, but then it picked up,” said Jones. “Some of the places were a bit sketchy because of the stumps, but overall it was a good day.”

Tricker is relatively new to the national enduro format but she is improving quickly.

“I won a couple of tests and I think I had a pretty solid day,” said Tricker. “I’m feeling more comfortable with each race and I really felt good today.”

Kendall Lafollette finished third on a KTM.

Jesse Ansley (KTM) topped Vincent Smith (KTM) and James King (Yam) to win the AA class.

RESULTS

1. Grant Baylor (KTM)

2. Josh Toth (KTM)

3. Steward Baylor (KTM)

4. Cory Buttrick (Hsq)

5. Evan Smith (Hsq)

6. Ryder Lafferty (KTM)

7. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)

8. Ben Kelley (KTM)

9. Jake Froman (Hsq)

10. Andrew DeLong (GG)

NEPG AMATEUR RIDER SPOTLIGHT

JD FRIEBEL

Name: JD Friebel

Age: 36

Hometown: Pulaski, WI

Local Series: District 16 Harescrambe/Enduro

Class: AA

Bike: Husqvarna TC 250

Sponsors: MooseRacing, Kenda, Enduro Engineering, Keytime, Nitro Mousse, TCX, DDC, Checkpoint Offraod, Eline, HBD, Braking, FMF, EVS, Seat Concepts, Acerbis, IMS, Leatt, GPR, Smith, Twin Air, G2, Motoul

I”’ve been a long time enduro rider and I love the sport. After riding a few National Enduros early on I realized they are great races, organized, and I wanted to challenge myself with new competition. It is also fun traveling across the US and meeting new people.”

Your favorite race: Marquette, MI

Favorite moment on the National Enduro Series: Winning my class last year

Goals

for the Season:

• Stay competitive in my class and finish on the podium at each race

• Finish in the top 5 overall in AA class

• Improving my overall finishes at each race

TRIALS TRAINING CENTER TRIALS TRAINING CENTER

For

2018 Schedule

• March 17 - Down & Dirty Fat Tire Festival - Bicycle HardXC

• March 18 - Down & Dirty Fat Tire Festival - Bicycle Bone Breaker

• March 24-25 - Trials Training Days (All ages)

• March 31 - Downhill Southeast Bicycle Race - TTC Gravity Park

• May 26-28 - Dual Sport Adventure Ride

• June 9-10 - NATC East Coast Nationals Rounds 1 & 2

• June 24-27 - Family Camp (all ages)

• June 28-30 - East Coast Youth Nationals & Woman’s Open

• June 29 - TDN Fundraiser Gate Trial

• June 30 - Bicycle Trials Regional

• July 1-5 - Great American Teen Camp

• August 18-19 - 8th Annual KendaTennessee Knock Out Extreme Enduro

• September 8-9 - ITSA Vintage Trial National

• Sept/Oct TBA - 26th Annual 58K Fall Trial (STRA)

• October TBA - Downhill SE Bicycle Race - TTC Gravity Park

• December 2 - Toy Trial - CTC Winter Series Round 1 Trial

The T-18 (Dragonfly) is coming very soon. The first adult electric trials bike with a real clutch, 3-hr battery, gears and a weight of 120 lbs.

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

BOU IN BELGIUM

FIM TRIAL GP

ROUND SIX

COMBLAIM AU PONT, BELGIUM

JULY 21-22, 2018

PHOTOS COURTESY TRIAL GP/PEP SEGALES

ADAM RAGA

Referred to as ‘the little Monaco’ of TrialGP, the visit of the series to the Belgium town of Comblain au Pont proved to be rich with action and was certainly one of the highlights of the 2018 season to date. The town center location added to the occasion, with the paddock being squeezed into the narrow main street and qualification taking place on the cobbles in the shadow of the imposing hill that defines this special venue.

Glorious weather and the absence of Belgium from last year’s calendar brought the fans out in their thousands to line the sections and to add to the overall atmosphere. Despite feeling the effects of a knee injury sustained during practice on Saturday, Toni Bou - Repsol Honda finally clinched the win, but only in the dying moments as Adam Raga - TRRS pushed him right to the final sections.

Bou put on a fine display of riding prowess in Belgium, where despite starting with an injury, he was able to outclass his rivals in the fight for the title. Takahisa Fujinami occupied the third step of the podium, proving to be Repsol Honda Team’s first rostrum double so far this season.

Bou injured his right knee on Saturday in the qualifying round and after a medical check-up had to spend the night bandaged up. The champion, nevertheless, came out guns blazing, keen not to let the injury be a hindrance. Leader by the end of the first lap, in the second he kept his adversaries firmly in check to score a brilliant first place. This is victory number 100 with the Montesa Cota 4RT since joining the team in 2007. Bou extends his overall advantage in the TrialGP World Championship to twenty-three points over the nearest second place rival.

The course of this sixth event in the top flight category was a demanding one that invited easy mistakes. In addition, the heat proved to be one of the day’s main protagonists, forcing the riders to constantly hydrate to not lose strength on the longest fifteen-section course of the trial calendar.

JAMES DABILL

Bou’s fourth win in a row stretches his lead to a very healthy twenty-three points with just two rounds now standing between him and a record-breaking twelfth consecutive World Championship crown.

“It has been a very special weekend,” says Bou. “I had a crash in the morning yesterday and my condition this morning was not very good, but after section four or five I rode with more confidence and to finally win makes it a perfect weekend.”

In hot, dry conditions grip was at a premium on sections that comprised huge, dusty rock steps and perilous loose climbs, mainly laid out in a quarry and on near vertical banks on a wooded hillside overlooking the town.

The fifth rider away after his mistake in yesterday’s Q2 session, Bou had a shaky start to the event and dropped five marks on the first four sections before regaining his composure. However, he still incurred two maximums – including a five on section thirteen that stopped everyone on the opening lap – as he reached the halfway point of the Trial on a total of twenty.

Next best after the opening lap was Bou’s fellow Spaniard Adam Raga – TRRS on thirty-one who in turn was one mark ahead of his compatriot Jaime Busto – Gas Gas. At this point it looked as though Bou was cruising to yet another win, but after struggling to find his form all season Raga strung together a series of impressive rides.

Successive maximums by Bou on sections six and seven where Raga recorded a pair of single-dab rides narrowed the gap dramatically and led to a tense run-in to the finish with Bou’s total of forty-two –equalling his highest score of the season – plus one time penalty giving him just a four-mark advantage at the close.

Japanese fan favourite Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Honda claimed a hugely popular podium finish in third, aided by a sensational single-dab ride in sec-

TAKUMI

RESULTS

TRIAL GP

TONI BOU (HON) 43

ADAM RAGA (TRS) 47

TAKAHISA FUJINAMI (HON) 59

JAIME BUSTO (GG) 63

JAMES DABILL (BET) 70

JERONI FAJARDO (GG) 76

ALBERT CABESTANY (BET) 77

FRANZ KADLEC (GG) 87

JACK PRICE (GG) 88

JORGE CASALES (VER) 89

E-TRIAL

LORIS GUBAIN (GG) 10

KENICHI KUROYAMA (YAM) 13

JOAN CORDON (MEC) 28

CHRISTOPHE BRAUND (EM) 37

TAKUMI NARITA (EM) 49

tion thirteen, to end the day twelve marks adrift of Raga and four ahead of Busto who incurred four expensive time penalties.

Britain’s James Dabill – Beta finished a seasonbest fifth on seventy with championship challenger Jeroni Fajardo – Gas Gas from Spain slipping to sixth a further six marks back. Despite this he still holds second in the title chase, but is now just a single point ahead of Busto.

Pre-season TrialE Cup favourite Gubian, who was on the back foot after being narrowly beaten by Kenichi Kuroyama – Yamaha at last weekend’s opening round in France, came out fighting and led the veteran Japanese rider by three marks after a low-scoring opening lap.

A maximum on the first section of lap two handed the advantage back to Kuroyama, but then he in turn had a five in section two. From there it was a tense final thirteen sections with both riders adding just one extra mark to their scores as Gubian won on a total of ten.

The result gives him victory in the two-round series on a tie-break and ensures the Spanish manufacturer retains the title it won last year with Marc Colomer.

“There was big pressure because the title would be decided today between Kenichi and me,” says Gubian. “Finally I won so it has been very good for me and for Gas Gas – we have worked very hard and I am very happy with my bike.”

Spain’s Joan Cordon – Mecatecno completed the podium with a final score of twenty-eight, nine fewer than France’s Christophe Bruand –Electric Motion who ends the series in third.

The TrialGP series now takes its August holiday and will resume in September for the final two rounds, starting with TrialGP Great Britain on 1-2. n

JELECTRIC MOTION’S CHRISTOPHE

BRAUND WAS WAS FOURTH IN THE E-TRIAL CLASS FOR ELECTRIC TRIALS BIKES.

TAKAHISA FUJINAMI

JAIME BUSTO

FRENCH FRIED BOU SIZZLES IN FRANCE

FIM TRIAL GP

ROUND FIVE

JULY 14-15, 2018

AURON, FRANCE

PHOTOS COURTESY TRIAL GP/PEP SEGALES

The all-conquering Toni Bou - Repsol Honda continued his march towards a twelfth-straight outdoor World title with a close-fought win at today’s TrialGP France - round five of the 2018 FIM Trial World Championship - at the Alpine ski resort of Auron.

The Spanish superstar was pushed hard by his compatriot Jeroni Fajardo - Gas Gas for most of the Trial before pulling clear in the closing stages. The victory, his fourth of the season, ties him with legendary Belgian motocross racer Stefan Everts on a total of one-hundred-and-one Grand Prix wins.

“I feel incredible because it was a nice fight with Jeroni who was riding amazing today,” says Bou. “It was very close after the first lap, but I finally took the victory with a clean in section twelve. It is very important for me and very important for the championship.”

Despite an early threat of rain that would have dramatically altered the complexion of the Trial, the two laps of fifteen sections were tackled in sunny conditions with the majority of hazards split between rounded boulders in a dry riverbed and more angular rocks on the side of a steep, wooded hill.

It was Fajardo who took an early lead when Bou lost a mark on section four, but

TAKAHISA FUJINAMI

the reigning champion was back in front by section nine. With the entire field taking maximums on sections eleven and twelve on the opening lap, at the halfway stage Bou led on thirteen marks, three ahead of Fajardo who in turn was nine in front of third-placed Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Honda from Japan.

With lap two cut to fourteen sections after a rock shifted on section ten, the leading pair remained locked together until they visited section twelve for the final time. Bou produced a miraculous clean, Fajardo took a maximum and it was game over with Bou’s total of twenty giving him a seven-mark winning margin.

A string of fives on the opening lap put Jaime Busto - Gas Gas back in fourth but the twenty-year-old picked up the pace on lap two with a series of solid performances - including the only clean ride of the Trial on section eleven - to take third on thirty-eight, two marks ahead of fellow Spaniard Adam Raga - TRRS.

Championship runner-up for the last eleven years, Raga also had an expensive first lap, but improved dramatically on his second visit to the sections to end the day nine marks ahead of Fujigas with Albert Cabestany - Beta a further seven marks back in sixth.

For the first time this season Jack Price - Gas Gas came out on top in the battle to be best British rider in tenth after James Dabill - Beta slumped to twelfth. With three rounds to go Bou now leads Fajardo by thirteen points with Busto another six in arrears. Raga is fourth a further thirteen points behind.

Italy’s Alex Brancati - Beta was a double winner at the Trial2 Women season-opener in Japan and the talented sixteen-year-old did it again today with a commanding victory over Norwegian Erika Melchior - Sherco.

Brancati got her worst score out of the way early with a three on the opening section of lap one and from then on quickly found her groove, dropping only two further marks to end the day on five. Melchior was in touch at the

halfway stage with her first-lap score of seven placing her just three marks behind, but an expensive lap-two total of eighteen pushed her up to twenty-five.

America’s Maddie Hoover - Gas Gas, who took a pair of runner-up finishes in Japan, was a further six marks off the pace in third, but still twelve ahead of fourth-placed Marine Aurieres - Gas Gas from France and fourteen in front of Britain’s Alicia Robinson - Beta who finished fifth.

Competing on home soil, FIM TrialE Cup pre-event favourite Loris GubianGas Gas threw away his chances of victory on the very first section of the Trial when he got it all wrong and dropped three marks straight off the bat. By contrast, Japanese veteran Kenichi Kuroyama - Yamaha recorded a clean opening

JERONI FAJARDO

lap and although Gubian only added a further mark to his total with a dab on lap two the damage had been done. Kuroyama, debuting the Japanese giant’s exciting prototype electric motorcycle, parted with just a couple of marks on his second lap to win on a total of two with France’s Christophe Bruand - Electric Motion, who had impressed in yesterday’s Q2 session, in third on eleven.

RESULTS

TRIAL GP

1. Toni Bou (Hon) 22

2. Jeroni Fajardo (GG) 29

3. Jaime Busto (GG) 39

4. Adam Raga (TRS) 41

5. Takahisa Fujinami (Hon) 50

6. Albert Cabestany (Bet) 59

7. Miguel Gelabert (Shr) 60

8. Alexandre Ferrer (Shr) 65

9. Oriol Noguera (Jot) 69

10. Jack Price (GG) 72

TRIAL2WOMEN

1. ALEX BRANCATI (BET) 5

2. ERIKA MELCHIOR (BET) 25

3. MADDIE HOOVER (GG) 31

4. MARINE AURIEIES (GG) 43

5. ALICIA ROBINSON (BET) 45

E-TRIAL

1. KENICHI KUROYAMA (YAM) 2

2. LORIS GUBIAN (GG) 4

3. CHRISTOPHE BRAUND (EM) 11

4. BASTIAEN HIEYTE (EM) 52

5. JEROME DELAIR (EM) 52.

TONI BOU

2018 US MOTOTRIALS

April 21-22

April 28-29

June 9-10

June 16-17

Sept 1-2

Roswell, New Mexico

Salida, Colorado

Sequatchie, Tennessee

Uniontown, Arkansas

Donner, California

2018 FIM TRIAL GP

May 19-20 Caprodon, Spain

June 1-3

June 16-17

Motegi, Japan

Sant Julia, Andorra

June 23-24 Gouveia, Portugal

July 14-15

July 21-22

Sept 1-2

Sept 15-16

Auron, France

Comblain-au-Pont, Belgium

Silsden, Great Britan

Arco di Trento, Italy

2018 TRIAL DES NATIONS

Sept 22-23

Sokolov, Czech Republic

2018 AMA NATIONAL ENDURO SERIES

Feb 4

March 4

April 15

Sumter, South Carolina

Forest Hill, Louisiana

Lynnville, Indiana

May 6 Arrington, Virginia

June 3

July 22

Aug 26

Sept 9

Greensboro, Georgia

Cross Fork, Pennsylvania

Chandlersville, Ohio

Marquette, Michigan

Sept 23 Matthews, Indiana

Nov 4 Stanton, Alabama

2018 WORLD SUPER ENDURO

Jan 6

Riesa, Germany

Feb 17 Malaga, Spain

March 3

March 31

Bilbao, Spain

Lidkowpin,

2018 FIM WORLD ENDURO

March 17-18

April 29-30

Helsinki, Finland

Santiago, May 5-6 Castelo Bronco,

June 3-4 Tallin, Estonia

June 30

Arco di Trento, July TBA TBA, France

Sept 2-3 Edolo, Italy

Sept 23-24 ` Hawkstone

Oct 14-15 Woltersdorf,

2018 FIM WORLD ENDURO

May 11-13

May 31 – June 3

July 24-28

Portugal -

Austria - Erzberg

June 8-10 France - Trefle

Romania -

Sept (TBA) Poland - Red October 26-27 SwedenNovember 10 The Netherlands

2018 INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS

November 12-17

2018 WORCS

Feb 2-4

Vina-del-Mar,

Las Vegas, Feb 22-25

Peoria, Arizona

March 23-25 Lake Havasu, April 20-22 Hurricane, May 25-27 Cedar City, Sept 14-15

Devore, California

Oct 19-21 Adelanto, Nov 9-11 Primm, Nevada

Spain

Lidkowpin, Sweden

CHAMPIONSHIP

Finland

Spain

Bronco, Portugal

Estonia

Trento, Italy

France

Italy

Hawkstone Park, England

Woltersdorf, Germany

SUPER SERIES

- Extreme XL Lagares

Erzberg

Trefle Lozerien AMV

- Red Bull Romaniacs

Red Bull 111 Megawatt

Gotland Grand National

Netherlands - Red Bull Knock Out

DAYS ENDURO

Vina-del-Mar, Chile

Vegas, Nevada

Arizona

Havasu, Arizona

Hurricane, Utah

City, Utah

California

Nevada

2018 TRIALS INC.

April 7-8

April 28-29

May 19-20

July 21-22

Aug 18-19

Sept 1-2

Sept 15-16

Sept 29-30

Oct 13-14

Oct 27-28

Nov 10-11

Tippecanoe, Ohio

Garrettsville, Ohio

Sidell, Illinois

North Benton, Ohio

Toronto, Ohio

Newark, Ohio

Bloomington, Indiana

Bedford, Kentucky

Little Hocking, Ohio

S. Bloomingville, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio (Banquet)

2018 STRA TRIALS

March 3-4

March 10-11

March 24-25

April 7-8

May 19-20

June 9-10

Oct 13-14

Oct 27-28

Nov 10-11

Blairsville, Georgia

Ocala, Florida

Sequatchie, Tennessee (Training)

Maryville, Tennessee

Lenoir City, Tennessee

Sequatchie, Tennessee (National)

Cornelia, Georgia

Sequatchie, Tennessee (58K)

Ringgold, Georgia

2018 RMTA TRIALS

March 4

Stock Ranch (Tune up Trial)

May 20 Montevista

June 2/3

Nonami Ranch

July 1 Cledgehammer Gultch

July 21/22 Hartman Rocks

Aug 18/19

Sept 16

Sept 30

Oct 14

Rainbow trail ( Ute Cub)

Valcano gultch

Pilot Peak South

Tucker’s Ranch