Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

~ • ,-----, -- ---'"'- I • ... ! • I" _ World Championship Trials Series ~o'f'f-road_ _w_"' __-" ~____ method went so well that many (including World champ Doug Lampkin) applauded it - some even hoped for its permanent adoption in 2003. For the second event in a row, someone (Albert Cabestany, this time) defeated Lampkin, though the Brit once again extended his points lead through greater consistency than his rivals (Lampkin finished second Saturday and won on Sunday). Disappointed with the turn of events, Lampkin returned on day two to dominate. Spaniard Adam Raga was second on Sunday, and Japanese Takahisa Fujinami was third both times out, accusing the observers of unfair judging. The competition was marred with an ugly crash by Adam Freixa, who had to drop out with a bleeding nose and forehead when he went down on Sunday.. (Above) Indoor champ Albert Cabestany became the second rider to defeat Doug Lampkin this year, using a low score and good time management on the challenging loop to post the win. (Left) Despite the setback on Saturday, Lampkin recovered to win day two and Increase his points lead. As usual, the Brit Is completely dominating the series. (RIght) Spaniard Adam Raga had a horrible outing on day one. but came back Sunday to finish as the runner-up. BRIEFLY••• For the third consecutive year, the start was in the town of Santa .Julia de Loria instead of the La Rabassa Athletic Center six miles up the mountain, where the popular past editions were begun. Opinions are divided on the decision; from one side, it is seen as necessary to gain more spectators (which it occasionally has), while on the other, it complicates things by splitting the pits in two and putting the press room distant from the main pit area (Montesa provided scooters to some joumalists, but others were forced to go without). AN UNOFFICIAL LOOK AT A POSSIBLE NEW TRIALS FORMAT STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIO CANDELLONE ST. JUUA DE LORIA, ANDORRA, JUNE 15-16 he last time the World Trials riders hit Andorra, they. went home whipped, thanks to sections that were entirely too difficult. This year, the zones were stj\l too challenging to allow strict, by-the-book enforcement of the rules, but some actually saw 1T 38 JULY 3,2002' cue • II!! this as a plus. Especially in section 15, as observers were forced to overlook small mi"stakes and even allow such things as stopping and going backward - both moves that are clearly prohibited in the rulebook. But since there was a gO-second time limit in the zone, riders still had to concentrate and ride well. Scoring was more-or-Iess fair, and the spectators liked the show, so, ironically, the n e _ • The sections were split into two main groups, both quite far from the start, with no buses for the spectators. The narrow road up the mountain very quickly became crowded with parked cars, and it even served as a part of the competition's loopl Section one through six were on a steep hill in the woods, with grippy stones; number seven featured rolling rocks; eight through 14 were on steep hills with cobblestones, and the final, indoor-style zone was near the start. Organizers declared that 4000 and 5000 spectators visited the competition on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. As no tickets were sold, it is unclear how this figure was arrived at. especially since there appeared to be fewer than 1000 each day. Temperatures In the 90s, with a shining sun, made things nice for the spectators, although the riders would surely have preferred cooler conditions in which to tackle the challenging obstacles. Missing in Andorra was Steve Colley, who broke his wrist when he crashed near his home following the USA round, while putting on a demonstration in the parade for the Isle of Mann race. Colley was operated on on June 5 and is expected back in about six weeks. The event was quite difficult for the Junior·class riders, although they were allowed to skip sections three. four, 11 and 12. Taichi Tanaka was the best. finishing second on Saturday and winning day two. Jeroni Fajardo won Sunday and was third on Saturday. Doug Lampkin and Takahisa Fujinami had new engines installed in their bikes during the week before Andorra, and the latter rider reported that they're more powerful - perhaps too much so.

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