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/128168
32nd Annual EI Trial de Espana Donner Ski Ranch - kind of like the Scottish Six Days and this year Bell left no doubt that he was in control from the start, especially after his main rival, sixtime U.S. National champ Geoff Aaron, slipped off a log in section six and collected a five. From that point on, with the exception of a brief battle with fellow Canadian Wilson Craig, Bell cruised to a relatively easy win, finishing 11 points ahead of runnerup Aaron, eight points to 19. Crajg finished third with 28 points, followed by Floridian Chris Florin, on a Montesa, with 45 points. Beta-mounted Andy Johnson and Sherco's Travis Fox tied for fifth with 58 points each, with Fox getting the advantage by virtue of having more cleans. This year's event was held for the first time at Donner Ski Ranch near Truckee, California, and organized by the Pacific International Trials Society. The trial featured a new format for the Championship class, with each rider completing three loops of six National-caliber sections set in the large granite outcroppings below the ski runs in the morning. After a short break, the riders compete again, in the afternoon, on two Worldclass sections set close to the ski lodge for the spectators. The splendid alpine scenery, combined with plenty of mammoth, but grippy, rocks, make Donner one of the most spectacular events on the circuit. The great traction allows the riders to climb incredjble obstacles that normally aren't possible. The largest non-National event of the year, EI Trial continues to attract the nation's top names, as well as many top Europeans. International trials legend Sammy Miller won the The Canadian gets last laugh on last-section jinx By SHAN MOORE/ TRIALS COMPETITION NEWSPAPER TRUCKEE, CA, AUG. 3·4 "I beat myself up for a month straight after what happened last year,· a relieved Ryon Bell said after finally winning the prestigious El Trial de Espana. He was referring to a heartbreaking, last-section loss to Geoff Aaron at the event in 2001. "That was one of the most miserable feelings I have ever felt.· Unfortunately, Bell had experienced that feeling at the ETdE once before. In 2000, the former Canadian Champion suffered a similar defeat at the hands of Josep Manzano when he led the event going into the final section, but handed it to the Spaniard by taking a three on the exit. Now the monkey was off his back and the U.S. Montesa-sponsored rider had good reason to celebrate. He had led from start to finish against the best North America had to offer to claim the 38 AUGUST 21,2002' cue I _ coveted (and elusive) EI Trial de Espana trophy. "It's a major weight off my shoulders," Bell added. "I was super nervous, but I managed to keep it under control. I didn't want to be known as a person who blows it at the last second - I really didn't want that.· "It's one of those things where you begin to think, 'Am I ever gonna win this thing?' - especially after you lose a close one,· Bell's minder Bruce Monighan said. "You think maybe that was your opportunity and it's never coming back. Every time we come to this event, we think of those last-second losses.· EI Trial de Espana, which was created in 1970 by Fred Belair to generate funds to send U.S. riders to Europe, is a special event to the riders (and their sponsors). It's not a national points-paying event, but it has such a long and glorious tradition that it is one of those events that you just have to win if you are a top rider n __ s (Above) Canada's Ryon Bell made good on winning the EI Trial de Espana after throwing the win away two years ago. He was understandably relieved to finally add the prestigious trophy to his collection. (RIght) Geoff Aaron was the man to pounce on Bell's late mistake in 2000, but he could only manage a somewhat-ellstant second this time around. Aaron alreaely has three wins In the _em, though.