Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

FIM Individual World Trials Championship Round 2; Grand Prix of Luxembourg Marc Freixa put together two solid days' worth of riding to win the Grand Prix of Luxembourg. Frein was one of only three Spaniards contesting the round, as the maJority of Spain's championship contenders have been suspended for boycotting a Spanish National round. Warken is a traditional stop for World events held in Luxembourg; on dry sections it was more in favor of the only Spanish top rider present, Freixa, who took full opportunity of his chance to beat reigning champion Dougie Lampkin on both days, something that never happened last season. Japanese star Kenichi Kuroyama also put in two good days at Luxembourg, this despite more inconsistent performances. DAY DNE The event began under cloudy skies but with no rain falling - actualIy, unseasonably nice weather for the Freixa wins, Spaniards kicked out! responsible for striking at the second STORY AND PHOTOS BY round of the Spanish Championship. MARIO CANDELLONE The punishment was reportedly hand- WARKEN-EITELBROCK, LUXEMBOORG, APR. 12-13 ed down to send a strong message to the riders, who the federation felt arc Freixa won on both days at M the Grand Prix of Luxembourg, ruined the hard work done by the which hosted the poorest number of Spanish event's organizers, but the entries in the history of FIM World Championship trials - only 16 riders. Doug Lampkin backed up his win at the Irish opener with a runner-up finish in Luxembourg. If the decision against the Spanish riders is upheld, the Brit may have an easier time of defending his title than was first thought. Freixa put in a great performance, but his win was undoubtedly overshadowed by the confirmation of the suspension of the 27 Spanish riders verdict now carries with it the double threat of financial penalty to the organizers of the World rounds that are scheduled for the next three months. If the penalty is, in fact, carried out, the Spanish contenders will miss the German, Japanese, Andorran and Spanish grands prix and could cause a serious setback to the sport. The Spanish riders' sole remaining hope is that their appeal in a meeting scheduled with the Spanish Federation Committee will be heard and their sentence reduced. country. The event sections were more or less in the same place as the last edition held here. Freixa started with a three in section one, which was drawn on a steep hill with narrow bends over roots. Much better were Lampkin, Fujinami and Kuroyama, who limited their damage on the steeply descending terrain to one dab each. Fujinami did fail secion three, again on dusty terrain that was very similar to section one. Kuroyama fived sections eight and 10 and dropped from the leaderboard. Freixa and Lampkin left some dabs here and there, arriving tied before the last section of the first loop. It consisted of some rocks washed by a stream, which made for slippery going. Freixa cleaned it, while Lampkin dabbed twice. At the halfway mark, Freixa led with seven marks, two less then Lampkin. In third was Graham Jarvis, who scored 12 points. Fujinami was fourth, with 19, one less than Kuroya- BRIEFLY••• On the Spanish question, here is another point to consider: Gas Gas and Beta are now without their first riders. "We let our riders free to decide what to do," Narciso Casas. Gas Gas' boss. said. "They were angry with the Federation. because many times they tried to explain their discontent on having a foreign champion. but none listened. Also, a letter signed by all was ignored. During the round where they made the strike, they protested above all for the time limit of 60 seconds, too little to finish those hazards. Punishing in this way the riders means to punish also the organizers of the World Championship rounds. It is scandalous! In [the] case [thatl they do not reduce the ban, we will not go to Japan. The fight for the title is over." Lapo Bianchi, Beta's boss, took a slightly different view: "We are disappointed with the decision made by our riders Albert Cabestany, Josep Manzano. Antonio Bou. Though they can sustain a right cause. they did not operate wisely. They undervalued the consequences. It has been a youth bragging! Now our presence in the World Championship is terribly in doubt. " And the opinion of Ignacio Vemeda. chairman of the Trial Committee: "I cannot do anything at this point," he said. "All the matter is in charge of the Disciplinary Committee. My position is very inconvenient. I have always supported the Trial inside my Federation. and now the management is against me, as are the riders, because they think it comes from me. I was pre· sent at the Spanish round in question. I saw the organizer for whet was happening!" Reigning World Champion Doug l

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