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/146681
YiJ/ro//ne Chris AgaJanlan Presents It was a very difficult race. There were many, many very demanding sections, as well as many crashes. This is the reason that many of· the riders had problems there. They said that the event was 10 miles, but I felt that it was at least double that, and there were no roads between the sections so all the transfers were in the forest, which made us take a lot of time just to drive the course. I think that we should compete in place like America, Japan or Africa, where there are no top-ranked riders, because that is the only way to gain interest in the sport when the people come out and see what we can do at our level. If we just stayed in Europe it wouldn't be very interesting, and it couldn't (accurately) be called a World Championship. We have to ride in these countries so we can gather interest in trials and it can grow, which would be beneficial to everyone involved with the sport. How many years do you have left in your contract with Aprila? I have one more year on my contract. Is there any truth to the rumor that both Honda and Yamaha are looking to buyout your contract with Aprilia and sign you up to compete in next year's series? I read in one motorcyclmg newspaper that I would be riding for Yamaha next year,. but I think the only mistake that they make is that they (Yamaha) didn't tell me about it. Of course it is good that there is interest from other teams, but I am very content with Aprilia and happy with the work that the factory put forth for my championship quest, as well as providing me with a very competitive bike. While trials is largely an amateur sport in America, with only National Champion Ryan Young making a living at it, Europe is a whole different story. What can a top rider like yourself do financially, especially after winning the Championship? It's probably much less than you think. There is a lot of interest (in trials) in Europe, but nowhere near what the Grand Prix car and motorcycle drivers make in their particular profession. In my case, I live in Finland and have to travel great distances to compete in the World, events, and my expenses are very huge with the traveling and the salary for my personal mechanic. I am paid one lump sum by the factory, from which I handle my day-to-day operations. At ·the end of the year I am able to save enough to live comfortably and put some into the bank for the future, but not as much as you think. (It is rumored that both Tarres and Ahvala make close to $2 million per year . .. Editor). There have been a lot of complaints of the World rounds being too hard, and that only a handful of riders. can clean the sections now. Some people claim that this is actually hurting the sport for new blood because potential riders enter and are intimidated by the difficulty of the event. What do you think about this, and what do you think will encourage more riders to compete in the European events? I personally like difficult sections, and we need those for the top riders to see who is' the best. The trials sport has become much more difficult in the past three years, but we have a European Championship Series where the level is lower and the sections are much easier, so the riders can enjoy themselves better and progress at an easier pace. I think that we may need two different categories, like a sportsman level as well as a professional league, so the top riders can still see who is - - - - - - Continued on page 31 ....··1:1 ·:miU Tickets On Sale Now! Cellular One Cal-Expo Box ,Office 916-924-2090 TOWf. I WHEREHOUSE ~ 916/923• . ".... ~-'-J 77c:K.IiETS ....800/225.445'9" A.llek." _/ee/Io con........,.,... -.;.~ Dealers Associabon of Southern Calnomia, Inc. ·Grandstands $18.00 ~~j===~li====:RedUonlnn Seats Box $20.00 (714) 983-0909 Harley vs Honda at speeds of 125 MPH Gate Open 5:00 pm / Time Trials 6 pm / First Race 7:30 pm SAT. OCT. 10, 1992 Tickets Available At: Your Local Participating _ ~ Dealer and ~a~Mrk's Auto Body ---~·(818)968-6444 BOX OFFICE (818) 968-6444 ~iZ...s~, UA., COMrANV • ASCOT SUC TRAC (714) 533-4444 MUSIC ~u. (213) 480-3232 0(714. 740-2000 WEEKENDS 1 Wh_8_t'S_'_D Y_'Ir_II1Il_'_d?_Se_D_d8_LE_m_R_t_'~th_e E_D_IT_OW_'_I ~ID W.£.R thanks the follOWing riders for choosing the new 'P5. 'Proc!.ucts Steering Damper to compete in the 67th /5DE. MAlCO ~~ Chris Smith Jeff Fredette MOTORCYC.LES Tom Webb Dwayne Taylor Todd Mathwick Phil Douglas Williamsville Welding Tom Ebersole 182 S. Main St.• Holland. NY 14080 (716) 537-2309 Photo taken by Marl< Kariya Courtesy of Dirt Rider Magazine Bruce Rust Drew Smith _ . .-Y._ 1'1'1··131. IIX 271-1 IS NOW THE EXCLUSIVE iIIflTlIlIIIS DISTRIBUTOR OF THE NEWLy·1IJ 171. 'llm REDESISNED P.S. PRODUCTS Call If STEERINS DAMPER trill Made in the U.s.A. S2.99 ~D I '" IlIIils 27