Davis Wins 49th El Trial de Espana
T
he 49th running of the El Trial
de Espana took place over
the April 13-14 weekend and was
hosted by MotoVentures in Anza,
California. The event served as
the start to the California State
Championship Series and a part
of the Conquer The West Series.
Top national riders showed up
to earn the title of El Trial Cham-
pion and lift the sword. The rider
turnout for this 49th edition had
the highest number of entries in
over ten years.
The combined scores from
days one and two determined
the overall winner. All riders did
two loops on Saturday except
for the pros who rode one loop
in the morning and then com-
peted in the Pro Shootout in the
afternoon. On Sunday all riders
completed three loops.
Favorites coming into the event
were GasGas teammates Daniel
Blanc-Gonnet and Alex Niederer.
Blanc-Gonnet and Niederer
fought back and forth in the 2018
National Series, with Blanc-Gon-
net taking second place and Nie-
derer taking third. Patrick Smage,
the national number one, was not
able to make the event this year
to defend his 2018 El Trial win.
The youngster, Josh Roper,
riding a Sherco, and Marvel Live
Stuntman Karl Davis Jr., on a
Scorpa, were hoping to pull an
upset.
At the end of loop one, Karl Da-
vis Jr. held the lead over Niederer,
Roper, and Blanc-Gonnet. With
just a few points separating each
rider as they headed to the Pro
Shootout, Davis was motivated to
keep the lead.
The Pro Shootout is the high-
light of the El Trial, where the
amateur riders and spectators
have the opportunity to see the
nation's best trials riders take on
IN
THE
WIND
P28
Karl Davis Jr. was the
surprise winner at the
49th El Trial de Espana.
PHOTOS: BOB THEOBALD
