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/127666
;'' ~ EJ; Trial de Espan a·.: . · , :-'.S~~• Perri's Rac OBS~RVED:TRIAL. : ' eway - - -----'-- - - - -- - -- - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - Codina rules! By Jon Maeda Photos by Tony Aless i PERRIS, CA,MAY 1 I Trial de Espana is an even t for everyone - there's cla sse s for kids, beginners, National-caliber Experts, and just about everyone in between. Created as a fund-raiser to send the top U.S. rider to compete in Europe against the best in the world, El Trial has become the largest of the U.S. observed trial celebrations. Graced this year by the attendance of inaugural organizer Fred Belair, as well as Bob Nicholson, the 'first recip ient of the funds, who competed in Spain in 1970 - this yea r' s organizers Martin Belair, Pete Croft, Paul DeArmand and Malt Pritchard d id themselves proud. From the ordering up of a beautiful spring day, to the outstanding 20 sections laid out by ATA member clubs, a huge crowd of 120 riders enjoyed a funfilled day of rock-hopping and boulderbashing at Southern California's Perris Raceway. This year's event was preceded on Saturday by a special riding cl inic, taught by former World Championship competitor Andreu Codina. The personable Spaniard shared his knowledge and experience with 20 eager pupils, who E ranged in skill levels from beginner to expert. In the 10 years that Codina competed in the World Champ ionship series, he placed no lower than 10th . Having re tired from active competition in 1991, Codina currently acts as the International Sales Manager for the GasGas Motor Company of Spain. When Sunday rolled around and it was time to compete, Codina continued on in his role of teacher as he proceeded to "school" the eight other Expert class competitors. Though he has retired from professional competition, Codina showed that he can still wow 'em with the trick turns, b ig air, and d elicate maneuvers that he performed. Amateur competition was held during the morning hours, as the afternoon was time for the Expert-only exhibition in the sections la id out by former National competitors Mike Lauxen and Matt Pritchard. . A formidable array of boulders, slabs, large steps and descents greeted the top experts. The show put on by the riders as they worked their way through the five world-e1ass sections was easily the high point of the day. In the Cycle News-sponsored section one, the riders faced enormous boulders, interspaced by gaps between three to five feet apart. Gracefully leapfrogging from one to the other, both Codina and former Belgian (Above) Former .Worl d Championship Series contender Andreu Codlna rode a Gas-Gas to the Expert cless win. The Spaniard dropped only eight points. (Laft) Former Belgian National Champion Olivier Clamaglrand finished second, only a few dabs behind Cod lna.