Josh Roper Tops California Trials
Invitational
A
fter the marked success of
its inaugural event last sum-
mer (amid the Covid-stricken
landscape of motorcycle racing),
GasGas North America head-
quarters once again hosted a pro
trials competition in its own back
yard test track. The second-
annual California Trials Invitational
welcomed some of the top AMA
Mototrials riders in the country,
where Factory TRRS USA rider
Josh Roper squeaked out a win
by the narrowest of possible
margins over Beta USA rider Alex
Niederer, with defending cham-
pion Karl Davis rounding out the
overall podium.
At the end of two rounds of
the six-stage course, Roper and
Niederer found themselves tied
on points, tied on cleans, tied on
fives, as well as ones, twos and
threes. Never before had either
rider seen a competition tie com-
pletely across the board. And
since the exhibition-style event
didn't allow for an overall time
factor, the decision ultimately
came down to who had scored
the first point—Niederer—handing
the win to Roper.
Vertigo rider Davis and Gas-
Gas' Daniel Blanc-Gonnet also
tied for third, with the tiebreaker
handing the podium spot to
Davis. The ties continued down
the board for brothers Alex and
Will Meyers, with Alex edging
out his younger brother for fifth.
Sixteen-year-old Will Meyers,
however, showed some brilliant
rides, affirming his spot as up-
and-coming talent to watch in the
North American trials scene.
In the women's competition,
Louise Forsley narrowly edged
out runner-up Maddie Hoover and
third-place Kylee Sweeten for the
championship, the trio only sepa-
rated by two points in the end.
The second-annual California
Trial Invitational, the brainchild
of ten-time National Trials Cham-
pion Geoff Aaron was another
well-attended event, this time
with the backing of Red Bull and
Fox Sports. Keep an eye on Rac-
ing On The Tube for the national
broadcast listing, which will likely
air in May.
Jean Turner
IN
THE
WIND
P56
By the slimmest of possible margins,
Josh Roper emerged victorious at
the second-annual California Trial
Invitational, held at the GasGas
North America headquarters.
PHOTO: JEAN TURNER
