Trials made the front cover of Cycle News in our first issue of 1974.
It also marked Cycle News' 10th birthday. We covered the first
international trials held in America, which took place at Saddleback
Park. The Europeans were hoping for sunshine but instead got rain,
and lots of it... We reported the passing of who many considered
at the time the "world's greatest road racer," Cal Rayborn. The
33-year-old died after crashing while racing in New Zealand... We
tested the new Yamaha TY250 trials bike.
YEARS AGO
JANUARY ,
P118
LOOKING BACK I
We tested the first Kawasaki GPz900R Ninja 40 years ago, which was
pictured on the cover lighting up the rear tire at the strip... We had
coverage of the opening round of the CMC Golden State Motocross
Series from Saddleback Park, where Goat Breker, Je Ward and
Rick Johnson came away with the wins... We also had coverage of the
World Championship Hare & Hound in Nevada, and it was little surprise
that Husqvarna's Dan Smith took the win... Brian Myerscough won
the CMC Four-Stroke National MX at Carlsbad aboard a White Bros.-
prepped Yamaha.
YEARS AGO
JANUARY ,
We reported that road racer Cal
Rayborn was killed in a crash while
racing in New Zealand 50 years ago.
Alan Cathcart aboard the Ducati's V4 Desmsedici World Superbike in 2004.
