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(Above) Spaniard Adam Raga styles on the Indoor-style final sections. The rest of the loop took place on more traditional terrain. (Left) After finishing the first loop in third, Norway'S !(jestl Fla, Linda Meyer and Sili Minken came from behind to score an impressive win. (Above) The Spanish team - Albert Cabestany, Marc Colomer, Marc Frein, Adam Raga - celebrates on the podium following Its victory. BRIEFLY••• Preceding the men's Sunday competition was the Saturday Women's Trial des Nations, and it featured a great podium battle between Genmany, Spain and Norway. In the end, the Scandinavians came out on top, but it was anything but easy, as the points spread between first and third was only a single point (Spain tied Norway, but lost out based on number of dabs). Despite the closeness of the contest, most had little doubt that the victory had gone to the better overall team. The Spaniards had only one extraordinary rider - IS-year old phenom Laia Sanz - while the Nordics' three-rider team of Linda Meyer, Kjesti F1a and Siri Minken was more balanced (the win was also appropriate considering Norway's history of supporting women's rights). At any rate, the real winner was women's triais, as a strong turnout of over 40 riders was in attendance. As with the men, the recent tragic events in the eastern U.S. prevented that country from sending a squad, so the American continent was represented only by Canada (including the Williams sisters, Kerry and Christy). The competition was organized using 12 of the 18 sections prepared for the men, and each contained a blue line for the women to utilize. Due to the heavy rain dropped during the previous week, the ground was very wet and the stones very muddy and slippery. This aided France, which had drawn the first starting slot, giving the home team better grip on the first loop at least. French star Bertrand Claire was applauded everywhere. but her two teammates were sweating simply to finish each section. The German team proved to be more balanced, led by European Champion Iris Kramer (who rode very confidently) to the lead at half-competition. (Scores were calculated using the two best results in each sections, and although three riders are allowed, some teams just went with two.) Germany had 23 points after one loop, traiLed by Spain's 29 (despite Sanz's cleaning the entire loopl), with the eventual winners only third with 32. France was just two points back, so the competition was still wide-open. Things stayed close in the second loop, though France slid (literally) when its riders had to face the same slippery conditions as its rivals. In the end, the podium was topped by come-backer Norway, with Spain and Germany taking second and third, respectively. Canada's Williams sisters didn't appear to have the necessary concentration, and their team came in fifth, just four points behind the home team France. As for the British, this unlucky ~eam was hurt by the fact that its strongest rider, Rachel Buckey, injured her knee while practicing the day before and did not participate. In addition, Vicky Ellis stretched a tendon in her thigh, and will be forced to miss the upcoming women's competitions (see Briefly... ). In the individual results, Sanz won with just one point, with Claire taking second on 11 and third going to Kramer with 12. Completing the top five were Britain's Marie Conway (20) and Kerry Williams (40). Christy Williams took sixth with 41. Results: WMN: 1. Norway (Kjestl Fla. Linda Meyer, Siri Minken); 2. Spain (Lala Sanzo Merce Ribera, Dolores Sanches); 3. Germany (Denise Brown, Iris Kramer, Ute Kramer); 4. France (Claire Betrand, Murielle Thumy, Blandine Guillaud); 5. Canada (Christy Williams, Kerry Williams). In Group B. for teams at a iower skill levei than the elite Group A countries, Germany triumphed over Belgium, Norway, and 10 other teams. The U.S. typically competes in this division (and in fact was last year's winner). but was absent due to the terrorist attacks and subsequent travel problems. For the first time. there were teams from Latvia and Venezuela. French manufacturer Scorpa utilized the TdN for a surprise presentation of its prototype four-stroke trials bike (right). unveiling it officially to journalists on Saturday evening. Company boss Joel Domergue explained that the move was an experiment to test what the market's reaction would be to the bike. which uses a 125cc Yamaha engine. and is said to weight just 150 poundsl World Trials promoting group Octagon Essedoss has finalized its 2002 schedule. and will publish it soon. The move comes relatively late. and the various National federations were affected since they couldn't set their own schedules until they had the World information. It is known that the rules and two-day formula will remain unchanged. and the 2002 Trial des Nations is set as well: It will be in Pacos de Ferreira. Portugal, on September 2829. The Women's World Cup will be in Gourdargues Cornillon. France. Though no major changes are expected for next year, there are plenty of rumors for 2003. For example. some expect a shorter. TV-friendly competition on Sunday. involving only the top 10 riders from Saturday's normal competition. There is also discussion of only four-stroke bikes being allowed to compete. Spaniard Marc Freixa and Briton Graham Jarvis have signed for Sherco again, and champ Doug Lampkin is very close to re-upping with Montesa (that team's boss, Jordi Tarres, says he will have the same line-up as this year. although Spaniard Marc Colomer has not yet signed). Rumors have Spaniard Josep Manzano signing with Beta. but nothing has been confirmed. Finnish rider Joachin Hindren was angry and upset to discover upon arriving at the Trial des Nations that his federation had decided not to attend (Hindren learned of the decision from a minder on another team), In addition to the Women's Trial des Nations that happened in conjunction with the men's competition (see sidebar). there are a couple of other female trials contests coming up. One will take place at St. Michele de Maurienne. France. on September 25-26, and the Women's World Cup is September 30. cycle n III _ S • OCTOBER 10. 2001 53