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More often than not this year, a Spanish rider Is finishing third, and on Sunday in Minnesota, it was David Cobos who placed behind his teammates, Fujinami and Lampkin. Marc Frelxa turned In fourthand fifth-place finishes at the U.S. round and Is sixth in points. In the quick second loop, Fujinami did his best and dropped just six point more and then Fujinami with points, the best loop-score of the day! Fujinami's strong finishing ability Lampkin also did quite well, however, and thanks to his nine-point score, he proved valuable, as he was once again was able to maintain his undefeated An American World round is becoming customary, and this yearly meeting is quite important for the progress of the sport. Still, the level of the locals is quite a bit off compared to that of the series regulars. Belgian Fred Crosset and American Geoff Aaron, the top two riders in the U.S. Series, were not on-hand, instead preferring to prepare for the next U.S. National round, and Canadian Ryan Bell (right) was the top North American rider on both days, finishing 22nd and 20th. "I decided to take part, even though I knew what the level would be: Bell said. "I didn't try the really difficult hazards, like number two or 12, where a little mistake could mean crashing between sharp rocks. I enjoyed the competition, and I think all of us can only improve our level since we have at least one World round here every year - two would be better." On-hand (but not competing) was Tommi Ahvala, the Finn who was the U.S. champ in 2000 and the World Champion in 1992. " I quit the competitions: Ahvala explained. "I'm too busy in my job of promoting trials all over the country. Thanks to Gas Gas importer Dale Malasek, we take part at more than 200 exhibitions per year. Now we also have an artificial waterfall section, like what you saw in the main Indoor European rounds, and it looks very impressive. On our Web site [www.gasgas.com]. there is news on where we do exhibi· tions." Also watching was 28-year-old American Ray Peters, who said he is too old to com· pete at this level. Peters commented on the World rules, saying he thinks the observers' job is too complicated at the moment; "It would be better to return to the old rule, just putting the time-limit of 90 seconds [per section)," he said. Scorpa-Yamaha importer Mike Komer agrees. He posted a poll on his Web site, and 50 percent of the participants wanted to return to the old rules (not punishing stops and backward riding when the feet are up). Sharing Bell's wish for more top-level trials in the States is AMA sports manager Roger Ansel, who said that the eastern and western U.S. are both experiencing slow but steady growth in the interest in trials. Although Ansel dismissed the possibility of another World round next year, he did hope to get the final 2004 World round and that year's Trial des Nations. Rumored likely candidates for these important meetings would be the Duluth and Rhode Island clubs who have recently hosted World rounds. only three points and vaulting from eight. The day was still up for grabs. superlative in the second loop, losing record for the season. The tie-breaker third to first, picking up a win that he put Fujinami in second, while Raga's loop-two score suffered slightly, putting him in third by one point. certainly deserved. Lampkin also per- Cabestany started the loop badly by fiving section one, then lost his concentration and picked up two more Spaniard David Cobos (with five fives, sliding to fourth. DAve The weatherman was calling for cold temperatures and precipitation, but the dry conditions proved him to be only half-right. Nonetheless, the threat of rain prompted the riders to complete the first loop more qUickly than normal, thereby squeezing in as much dry-riding as possible. Modifications were made to two sections, though they were fairly insignificant. Cabestany started very badly, crashing in section two; his bike required repairs, so he lost some time. Lampkin was fortunate because, despite falling laterally while reaching the top of the rocks in section two and actually touching his handlebar to the ground, he only picked up one point (thanks to a distracted observer)! Fujinami rode quite well, but Freixa was on and posted many cleans. All the top riders waited a while before going through section nine, as it was wet but slowly drying. After the first loop, Freixa led with six, followed by Lampkin with one formed well, finishing as the runner-up for the first time of the season, and points in the second loop) completed the Honda-Montesa sweep by making it to the final step on the podium. What about Freixa? He had a horrible second loop, notching three fives and dropping from first to fourth. CN Home riders didn't fare too well in America, though both Travis Fox (above left) and Christopher Florin (above right! did their best to uphold the honor of the Stars & Stripes. Northland Riden' Me Dululll, Minnesota Results: June 1-2, ZDDZ DAY 1: I. Doug Lampkin (Mon); 2. Tekllhisa Fujinllmi (Hon); 3. Adam Ragll (GG); 4. Albert Cabesteny (Bet); 5. Marc Freixe (She); 6. Devid Cobos (Mon); 7. Graham Jervis (She); 8. Steve Colley (GG); 9. Kenichi Kuroyama (Bet); 10. Marc Colomer (GG); 11. Josep Manzano (Bet); 12. JoseManuel Alcaraz (Sea): 13. Jeroni Faj8rdo (GG); 14. Jordi Pascuet (GG); 15. Sam Connor (GG); 16. Taichi Tenakll (GG); 17. Fumitllkll NoUl.k.i (Seo); 18. Israel Escalerll (Mon); 19. Christophe Bruand (Seo): 20. Tadeusz. Blazusiak(GG). DAY 2: 1. Takahisa Fujinllmi (Hon); 2. Doug Lempkln (Mon); 3. David Cobos (Mon); 4. Marc Freixa (She); 5. Albert Cabestany (Bet); 6. Adam Raga (GG); 7. Kenichi Kuroyama (Bet); 8. Josep Manzano (Bet); 9. Graham Jarvis (She); 10. Steve Colley (GG); 11. Jose-Manuel Alcaraz (Sco); 12. Jeroni Fejerdo (GG); 13. Mere Colomer (GG); 14. Fumitaka Nozakl (Seo); 15. Jordi Pascuet (GG); 16. Taichi Teneke (GG); 17. Tedeusz Blazusiak (GG); 18. 821m Connor (GG); 19. Christopohe Bruand (Seo); 20. Ryon Bell (Mon). FIM WORLD C'SHIP TRIALS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 3 of 8 rounds); 1. Doug Lampkin (117/5 wins); 2. Takahisa Fujinaml (95/1 win); 3. Albert Cabe.tany (82); 4. Adam Raga (72); 5. Graham Jarvis (63); 6. Marc Freixa (62); 7. David Cobos (58); 8. (TIE) Steve Colley/Josep Manzano (40); 10. Kenichi Kuroyama (39). Upcoming Rounds; Round 4 - St Julia de Loria, Andora, June 15-16 Round 5 - Ancelle, France, June 22-23 BRIEFLY••• This marked the first time for Duluth to host a World round. but the Northland Riders' Me handled the duty very well. The sections were easy to reach by using a chair lift. and such services as pits. media center. etc. were also at a high level. Steve Ahlers and his men did a great job and were compensated by having 4500 spectators on Saturday and about 5000 on Sunday. Tickets sold for $20 for one day or $30 for both days. Fortunately. the event was blessed with good weather on both' days, although after Saturday's low-80s temperature, Sunday's 50-degree weather was a bit of a shock. Rain was forecast but didn't come. The sections were all situated in the Spirit Mountain ski area, where showboard competitions were held in the recent winter. The zones were split into four groups; one through three were very close to the start; four through eight were in a creek one mile away; nine through 11 were reachable via chairlift; and 12 through 15 were less than a mile from the start in the other direction. It was easy to follow the entire competition by foot. In Saturday's ,Junior-class competition, Japanese Taichi Tanaka defeated Spaniard Jeroni Fajardo by just two points. with series leader Fumitaka Nozaki just third. Nozaki started Sunday very well, scoring only nine points on the first lap. but his .second loop of 20 was a disaster and dropped him to third place again. The day-two winner was Fajardo. with Tanaka finishing second. The second, fourth, fifth. 11 th and 12th sections were not counted toward Junior classification. There was finally a European-style press room at a U.S. event. Many internet connections for local log-in were available for joumalists to quickiy send results and photos overseas. with no phone bills for the organizers. There were also press conferences for the top three riders. cue I e n e _ s • ,JUNE 19, 2002 49