Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125798
c: " '" ~ w Z W ...J U > U by Christoeher Ostlind RUNNING S~GS O>\L.. :ug.'2J.. 1972 - 1 think. it is onlY possible to appreciate the talen t and ability that the trials riders of the American Trials Association have by going to one of their even ts and actually attemp ting some of the sections which they negotiate with vigor and smiles on their faces. If it is at all possible to cross breed a mountain Roat and a motorcycle the result would be something like the present breed of trials machines which are invading this country' from Europe. The riders of the ATA really showed their stuff this weekend as some of the best of them in' this country got together for an impressive display of riding skills and intelligent interpretation of the terrain in the various sections. Master Trialer Rich Bledsoe turned in the winning total of 66 points to easily ou t distance the nearest rider by 30 points. The second place Master was Mark Eggar with 96 points and Martin Belair came in hot on his heels with a total of 98 to get a third. This type of competition is on a very personal basis as the riders rarely know how the other teams are doing so it becomes a matter of being aole to beat your own previous best in each particular section and has nothing to do with anybody else. It's just you and your·machine and how you control the situation at hand. Being a motocross freak 1 was a little skeptical as to the legitimacy of trials as a true type of motorcycle competition, but that attitude is now the farthest though t from my mind 1 very quickly came to tenns with several rocks and logs in my path' and in sO doing developed a healthy respect for these guys who are labeled unjustly as participating in an "old man's sport." During Sunday's two very difficult loops a couple of very in terested spectators were seen to be checking out the sections and 1 learned that they were Mr. Hosokawa and Mr. Shumate of U.S. Suzuki Motor COlp. Is a Japanese trials machine in the offing sooner than we expected? Expert winner Gary LaPlante came all the way in from Arizona to demonstrate that the guys out of ti,e state were definitely to be reckoned with in fu lure competition. Many thanks to ever present Fred Belair for making my weekend an enjoyable one as he was always there to supply me with info and sideligh ts as to the particular happenings of the rapidly growing sport of trials. The next big event will be put on by the Southern Califo.rnia Trials Association, and it will take place on September 10 at Running Springs Motorcycle Park. Even if you have a race already planned it would be worth your while to spend a day with these gentlemen and see how they get the job done without making any noise or dust. as Can you Master uphills... and downhill.... ...and rocks?