IN
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AMA Announces American 2019
FIM Trial Des Nations Team
E
ight of the nation's best trials
riders, including 11-time AMA/
MotoTrials National Champion Pat
Smage, have been selected to
represent the United States at the
2019 FIM Trial des Nations, which
takes place September 28-29 in
Ibiza, Spain.
The 2019 U.S. men's team
includes Smage (Sherco), Dan-
iel Blanc-Gonnet (GasGas) and
Joshua Roper (Sherco). Alex My-
ers (Scorpa) is the alternate rider.
The U.S. women's team features
riders Madeleine Hoover (Gas-
Gas) and Louise Forsley (Scorpa).
Kylee Sweeten (Sherco) is the
team's alternate rider.
The Fédération Internationale
de Motocyclisme sanctions the
event, and the U.S. teams are or-
ganized by the AMA and the North
American Trials Council.
"The AMA looks forward to
great results from both teams at
this year's running of the Trials
Des Nations," AMA Racing As-
sistant Manager Mike Jolly said.
"We have a very strong men's
team this year, led by international
competition veterans Pat Smage
and Daniel Blanc-Gonnet.
"Our women's team keeps get-
ting stronger every year, and we're
happy to have Madeleine, with her
experience on the world stage,
competing on the team," Jolly said.
"We're also happy to welcome
back Louise after a five-year hiatus,
while she worked as a stunt rider
for Marvel Universe Live shows."
The FIM Trial des Nations
began in Europe in 1983 as a way
to bring the best trials riders from
each country together to compete
as teams. It has evolved into one
of the most anticipated motorcycle
events of the year. Each compet-
ing country fields two teams: a
men's and women's team, each
consisting of three riders.
The U.S. team finished in sec-
ond place in 2017 and 2018 in the
B Class. CN
Josh Roper, one of the young
American trials stars, is a
member of the 2019 U.S.
Trials Des Nations Team.
PHOTO: SHAN MOORE
