IN THIS ISSUE YAMMY WR250F X-Trial x 3 The Sandlapper SuperEnduro
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201G5otGClaeasnsG? asYou’ll have plenty of them while competing on one of our many GAS GAS Trials models ranging from the 300 Raga Factory Replica! Whatever age, class or performance level of competition you choose to ride Or, hit the trail on our new Randonne 200 air cooled, electric start, 4-stroke model. Again, for 2015 improvements to enhance your riding skills. And it’s still the lightest, most powerful, easiest to ride The six-speed transmission makes sure you will have the best gear for whatever terrain you are riding on vides you with total rear-wheel control to maximize your traction requirements! Try a test ride and yo the outstanding handling and power characteristics of a GAS GAS! We’ll have support for you at all the NATC National trials events and also at most Reg For more information, contact your local GAS GAS dealer or call GAS GAS U CHANGES FOR 2015 • Rear brake caliper auto stand • New kickstart pedal • Monoblock front brake caliper • New foot pegs • New SPAL cooling fan • New magneto cover • New wiring loom • New “no maintenance” water pump • New intake manifold • New CDI maps • Improved exhaust connections • New rear sprocket • New handlebar and grips • New regulator/rectifier unit • New 80 and 125cc engines • New 80cc frameGAS GAS USA WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE WINNERS OF THE FOLLOWING CLASSES:PRO (2nd): Martin Matejicek CLUBMAN: Gilbert ReedEX SPORT: Steve Deines SR-35: Ben WintererW EX SPORT: Rachel Hassler SR-60: Garry HooverSPORTSMAN : Kevin Davey SR-70: Bill DeGarisWOMEN: Madeleine Hoover e8, e12, e20 Kadet 80 R
e e8 child’s mini electric to the TXTe, GAS GAS has a bike for you.5, GAS GAS has made manye trials bike available today!n and the finger-light clutch pro- ou’ll experience and realizegional events.USA.Race Randonne 200 Contact 250 Race 125, 250, 280, 300
T&E News P8The Big Picture
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P9 Sand Blasting Jonny Walker (22) took the win at the SuperEnduro in Cohrs, Frnace, at an event where KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak clinched the title. Photo: KTM Images/Jonty Edmunds
T&E News P 10The Big PictureTo The Victor Go The SpoilsToni Bou clelbrates after wrapping up his ninth worldX-Trials title with a win at round five of the FIM WorldX-Trial Championships in Austria.Photo: G2F Media
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 11
T&E News P 12The Big PictureUp And AwayBrit James Dabill gets verticle on the new Vertigoat the Barcelona round of the FIM World X-TrialChampionships.Photo: G2F Media
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 13
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 15Trials & Enduro News INSIDE... 28 32Observing the Trials and Trials Features 42Enduro community with a X-Trials Round Six 56 X-Trials Round Five 62 single-track mind. X-Trials Round Four 72 PUBLISHER/EDITOR 74 Shan Moore Enduro Features 16 WR250F Test 23 WEBMASTER Sandlapper Enduro 24 Darrell Shannon Tough One Extreme Enduro 26 BlackJack Enduro Rd 1 81 HEADQUARTERS 82 T&E NEWS PO Box 1763 Sapulpa, OK 74067 ADVERTISING Shan Moore [email protected] IN THIS ISSUE Departments YAMMY WR250F X-Trial x 3 The Loop The Sandlapper New Products SuperEnduro On The Horizon EE Quick Tip ON THE COVER Ryan Young Riding Tips Nick Fahringer’s Column Don Williams puts the YamahaWR250F through its paces during a Next Month... test session for T&E News. • Rad Dad National Enduro Photo: Kelly Callan • Texas US National MotoTrials • Arizona US National MotoTrials • AMA EnduroCross
T&E News P 16 THE LOOPNews and Culture From The World Of Trials, Enduro and Extreme RacingIt’s Here! US MotoTrials Kicking OffHere’s info on the first two rounds of the US MotoTrials Series2015 Diamondback National We can probably accommodate with. AMA/NATC Rounds 1 &2 April you. There is 8500 sq. ft. upstairs Food on Site: Catering will if you want to camp inside.11th & 12th 2015 be available throughout the Location: The Wilds of west Parking is virtually unlimited day. Breakfast will be available at the trials site. Everyone is starting at 7:30am. There willTexas, near Claude Hosted @ Sid encouraged to take advantage be a Spaghetti Dinner Saturdayand Dawna Mauldin’s Ranch of the generous parking area Night hosted by the local Fire which will be clearly marked. Dept. as a pass the boot fund- Trials Master: Ray Peters There will be no parking on the raiser at the site. Please RSVP via For more information con- canyon side of the Barn. Getting the event Facebook page for thetact: Ray Peters 602-999-5395 grass to grow out here is tricky dinner, they would like to have aor [email protected] business. feel for how much to cook. Laura Peters 443-910-7129 or [email protected] Water is available at the site. Bike Wash: Hot soapy water When: April 11th and 12th You will be able to fill your rig for your ride, available after the2015 before you park. Located at the trial. $2.00. Friday: Sign-up and Tech back side of the Barn. (Look foropen from 3pm to 5pm Start Sign) Dump Station is available Spectator Vehicles: We aretimes will be posted. at the site. Before you head allowing any motorcycle, 4 Saturday: 8 to 8:30am Sign home with that cool trophy, wheeler or Razor type vehiclesup desk and Tech open. Please drop your load at the dump sta- to be used for spectating. $5.00check the information board for tion. (Look for Sign) wristband required for thelatest news. driver of the vehicle and you 9:01am First Rider Out – 7Hr Electric is limited. There are must sign the release. HelmetsTime Limit 2 Power poles. There should are required for driver and pas- Sunday: 8 to 8:30am Sign be thirty 15 amp plugs, but sengers. You may NOT use theseup desk and Tech open. Please you won’t be able to run AC on vehicles on the competitioncheck the information board for these. Come find the Pit Nazi for loop. Penalty will be outra-latest news more information. Bring an ex- geously severe. 9:01am First Rider Out – 7Hr tension cord. We are still work-Time Limit ing out the details. Intended to Hotels: There are hotels in Tu- Trophy presentation on Sun- watch TV and run lights. lia, Texas or Claude, Texas. IF youday ASAP after last rider is in. are thinking of upscale hotels Camping: Outside or Inside... Importers: Call Laura to con- and the like, Amarillo is close firm your space, Teams will be enough to commute still and INSIDE the barn with full hook- has all the services you would ups. No weather to contend expect from a city of 200,000. n
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 17NATC MotoTrials #3 & #4 What To Bring Hualapai Mountain Park is at Contact person: fact the Host Hotel is directly 6,500 feet, and temperatures Mike Carlton @ 602.370.7546 on Route 66 (Andy Devine Ave). will be in the range of 55-65°F Local airport is Kingman (IGM/ during the day and 40- 50°F Keith Roper @ 623.764.3924 KIGM). during the night. It may be HOT or 602.437.5209 and it may be COLD – come • From Phoenix – take either prepared for either. Because of E-mail: Highway 60 (Grand Avenue) the low humidity and elevation, [email protected] directly, or I-17N to the 74 it is imperative to stay hydrated [email protected] (Carefree Highway), where you at all times. We cannot empha- Central Arizona Trials, Inc. will go west to pick up Highway size this enough! The sun’s rays www.centralarizonatrials.org 60N. Continue on the 60N to are more intense up on the  Event Location: Wickenburg, and pick up US- mountain, so bring sunscreen or Hualapai Mountain Park, 6250 93N to I-40W. Take Exit 59S (DW sunblock and cover any unpro-Hualapai Mountain Road, King- Ranch Road) for 5.5 miles to tected skin. Wide-brimmed hatsman, AZ 86401 Hualapai Mountain Road; turn and sunglasses are recommend- Please call Mary @ left at this tee intersection and ed, and aspirin for ‘elevation’928.681.5700 between Wed- continue climbing 3.8 miles to headaches. Wear comfortableSun 10am to 5pm to coordinate the Trials Site. clothing as you will be hikingavailable Cabin Rentals, Camp- on dirt roads or spectator trailsing Spots or Full Hookup RV • From I-40 East - Take Exit 59S to see the riders, and make surespot reservations. http://www. (DW Ranch Road) for 5.5 miles your camera batteries are fullymcparks.com/parks/hualapai- to Hualapai Mountain Road; charged – you will want to cap-mtn-park/ turn left at this tee intersection ture the riders’ amazing skills. Direction to Trials Site: and continue climbing 3.8 miles • There is a $40 Camping Fee. Kingman is located in north- to the Trials Site. NOTE: Parking space is limitedwestern Arizona, and is directly at the site. Event organizers willon I-40. The infamous Route • From I-40 West Kingman – try their best to accommodate66 goes right through town; in take Exit 51 Stockton Hill Road you and will assist in positioning South - this turns into Hualapai your vehicles. Those bringing Mountain Road; follow 12 miles large motorhomes or towing to Trials Site. large trailers would be advised to arrive earlier in the week  (e.g. Wednesday or Thursday) so that we can get you in place. Please be patient during this process because of the dynam- ics involved. Please click HERE to see this information in its entirety, in- cluding supplemental rules and local hotels. n http://www.mototrials.com
T&E News P 18Sherco USA/RYP Signs Putt also compete in Europe in the top performer on our team, Sherco USA and Ryan Young FIM World Trials Champion- his work ethic and natural tal-Products have announced the ship Series. ent are impressive, I am suresigning of Andrew Putt, 16, of he will be very competitiveVenetia Pennsylvania to team In 2012, Andrew won the in the Pro Class”, said RyanSherco USA. Andrew will be Junior National Champion- Young, RYP USA, Team Man-competing in the Pro class at ship as well as the Eastern ager.all AIReS AMA/NATC Mototri- Youth Championship. In 2013,als Nationals in 2015 aboard Andrew repeated his victory Andrew will join 7-time Na-the Sherco ST300. Andrew will in the Eastern Youth Cham- tional Champion, Pat Smage, pionship and finished 4th Bryan Roper, Logan Bolopue overall in the Expert National and Daniel Blanc-Gonnet on Class riding a 125 cc Sherco. In the powerful Sherco Pro team. 2014 Andrew rode his Sherco Come visit the entire Sherco ST125 to a second overall in team under the blue canopies, the Expert National Cham- and watch them during the pionship. Andrew will ride competition use their impres- the 2015 Sherco ST300 in all sive skills to navigate what 10 rounds of the AIReS AMA/ will seem like impossible NATC National series. obstacles. “Andrew has always been aMIke BrownWins Salt Lake City EnduroCross third and on the 10th lap, made an aggressive pass into Round two of the 2015 plish, earning extra champi- second place. The next fewEnduroCross season moved onship points. laps Brown continued to ridewest to Salt Lake City, UT this smooth, limiting his mistakespast Saturday where Rockstar In the main, Brown while Haaker put a chargeEnergy Husqvarna Factory launched out of the gate for on to catch Brown. On theRacing’s Mike Brown claimed the holeshot, with Haaker last lap the teammates werehis first win since 2013. Not right behind and Daytona a bike length apart. Comingfar behind, Colton Haaker winner Cody Webb in hot into the rock corner, Haakerfinished second place for pursuit. Going into the second got on the inside of Brown,the second round in a row corner, however, Webb and but couldn’t make the pass.after returning from France, Haaker got caught up in some Brown won, with Haaker awhile Beta USA’s Max Gerston carnage with a few other rid- close second. Beta’s Max Ger-grabbed his first podium with ers, putting several riders on ston rounded out the podiuma third. the ground with Haaker and in thrid with teammate Webb Webb remounting near the in fourth. Haaker is now tied Brownie laid down an back of the pack, while Brown for first place in champion-impressive Hot Lap win, after stayed in the lead with a five ship points with Webb, while“quadding” a section that no second gap. Brown is third.other ride was able to accom- Haaker moved his way into
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 19 Ray Peters Texas NEPG EnduroTrials School Cancelled Due To Excessive Water Beta USA is announcing their Trial team manager and 10- For those of you who madetime Expert Champion Ray Peters will be offering two hour the drive to Gaineville, Texas forriding classes at all of the NATC/AMA Mototrial Nationals. The round three of the Kenda AMAclasses are free to all Beta Trials riders and only $20.00 for all National Enduro Series, only toothers. The classes are limited to 15 riders at each event so discover it had been cancelled,email Ray today to reserve your spot. Each national will cover the only thing I can say is na-different techniques of riding. You can download the class ture can sometimes be a cruelform below: Beeoch. Ray Peters Riding School-Form Download HERE. The photo above, taken by Contact Information: Melissa Randt, is what was left Beta USA, Inc. of the start of test one. PO Box 4099 Paso Robles, CA 93447 Hmmmm, not very good way For more information, go to www.betausa.com to kick off an enduro! E-mail: [email protected] Ray has always been known for his excellent and solid rid- Anyway, according to Aling technique so this is a great opportunity to learn from one Randt, this one won’t be re-of the best -- Trials & Enduro News scheduled, so the next round will be the Rad Dad in West Point, Tennessee, on April 19th. See y’all there!
T&E News P 20Cody Webb On New Team and 2015 Season With Taddy Blazusiak retiring I started out the first round of You switched up your entirefrom AMA EnduroCross racing the AMA EnduroCross series just race program from last year...to concentrate on SuperEndurp as I had hoped - with a victory. You’re with a new team on aand Extreme racing in Europe, I struggled on the track all day new bike, how’s that workingformer US MotoTrials Champ like most of the other riders and for you?Cody Webb, last year’s AMA En- it was tricky to find a rhythm induroCross Champion, appears the deep Florida sand, but the It was very difficult to maketo be the heir of the EX kingdom. new team and my KTM worked the final decision after a few awesome for me when it came successful seasons with Beta, Here is an interview with the to the main event. I sprinted but I felt it was time to takeCalifornia rider talking aboue those first few laps, making the step in a new direction. Itthe 2015 season and his new plenty of mistakes, but even- has been a big change to addteam. tually started riding the way I on new sponsors and become should. Luckily I charged hard a member of the RPM Racing Talk about your win at the enough to get a big lead and Team on a KTM. The supportopening round in Daytona, cruise out to the finish. from both the team and KTMthat had to be a big boost for has been top notch. I spentyou. the previous two years on the
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 21 only hope I’ve put in more hard work to achieve my own per- sonal goals. I put more pressure on my own back compared to others.2-stroke with great success. I pion, Taddy Blazusiak, heads- You have been training andwill be riding a 2-stroke in the up last year and it sounds like racing with your teammate Ty2015 series as well. he will not be racing the series Tremaine a lot this year. That this year, so who do you see as has to be a good situation for You’ve had a busy off- your biggest competitors for Ty, how has it been workingseason, if you can call it that, 2015? for you?racing the World SuperEnduroseries. Is that a good way to I think all of the racers will be I have really enjoyed beingprep for the GEICO Enduro- great competition. I think every- a teammate/mentor to Ty forCross series? one has the potential to run up the 2015 season. It has been a front and I’m sure everyone has lot of fun and we have spent a For sure, I have been really put in a lot of hard work dur- lot of time testing and trainingbusy; on top of racing the FIM ing the off-season. I finished on together. He has a great sup-SuperEnduro series, I’m two se- top last year and I know there’s portive family, which helps himmesters away from finishing off always room for improvement. to enjoy what he loves. It hasa very difficult achievement, a I put a lot of pressure on myself worked out great for me as well.Mechanical Engineering degree. to be the best at my abilities. Ty and I are both well aboveBeing in school and racing the average height for this sport, soFIM series has kept me on track You get to carry the #1 plate we share a lot of the same feel-and provided me with a good on your bike all year, but what ings on the bike and can discussweekly schedule between train- about that target on your our strengths and weaknessesing and studying. It will be good back? Do you feel the pres- during motos.to line up at Daytona without sure from these guys who arejet lag and with a lot of similar gunning for your title? What other sponsors do youraces under my belt. The inten- want to thank?sity of the SuperEnduros is very Of course there is a lot of pres-high, and great training for the sure on my back, but at the end I want to thank the RPMAMA series. of the day, I’m on the same level Racing Team for giving me the playing field as my competi- opportunity to further my ca- You beat the former cham- tion. We have all been training reer racing goals. I also want to hard with the same goals. I can thank my individual and team sponsors: KTM, FMF, Maxxis, KLIM, WP, Motorcycle Super- store, Bell Helmets, Rekluse, Sony Actioncam, Protaper, Mo- torex, Rad Manufacturing, SIDI, TM Designworks, HBD Grafx, DVS shoes, DANCO, Alexander Exhibit, GEICO Powersports, Motion Pro, Shorai, ARC, and SpecBolt. n
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 23 COOL New Products STUFFPro Circuit Pipes For Betawww.procircuit.com Famous for their motocross and supercross The R-304 Stainless Shorty Silencer, Pro Circuit’spipes, Pro Circuit recently announced the most popular “full-race” silencer, offers optimumrelease of the Works Pipe, Platinum Pipe, R-304, performance gains and is for closed-course racing304 and Type 296 Silencers all made in the USA, only. The aluminum and stainless steel constructionfor the Beta RR 2T 250/300 and RR 250/300 2T offer increased durability and a lightweight feel.Racing models. This silencer also features double-walled mount- ing bracket(s) for increased strength and is easy to According to Pro Circuit, the Works Pipe repack when needed.offers unparalleled performance, power andtorque gains across the entire rpm range. Finally, the 304 Factory Sound Silencer, features a longer body design, which helps to reduce noise It is constructed of AKDQ high-quality carbon output and is recommended for any two-strokesteel, includes an unplated, oiled metal finish to application. The aluminum and stainless steel con-give your bike that “factory look”, hand welded struction contributes to an extremely lightweightand pounded seams and reinforced mounting and durable silencer and is very easy to repackbrackets and stingers for increased durability. when needed. The Platinum Pipe offers the same perfor- The Type 296 Spark Arrested Silencer is a quietmance gains as the Works Pipe, but is a more spark arrested silencer that should be used whenideal choice for extreme weather condition riding in noise sensitive areas or any National For-riding. It is constructed of AKDQ high-quality est. It is easy to repack when needed and featurescarbon steel and includes a nickel plated fin- an aluminum and stainless steel construction forish to reduce rider maintenance and to help increased durability.protect the pipe against nature’s elements.The Platinum Pipe also features hand welded Please visit www.procircuit.com for more informa-and pounded seams and reinforced mounting tion on this and other Pro Circuit products. nbrackets and stingers for increased durability.
T&E News P 24ElectricONTHEHORIZON Motion TrialsA look at the 2015 EM Trials Bikes Ryan Young Products is now kick starting the EM, just The power delivery is superimporting the new Electric The Electric Motion 5.7 comes smooth and it charges the bat-Motion 5.7 electric trials bikes, tery back up on downhills.which, in case you have’ve no- comes in two models, standardticed, is the wave of the future. and sport, with the Sport retail- Also, there is no fuel of pre- ing for $9900 and the standard mix to worry about and there is The benefits of electric bikes retailing at $9200. a switch on the handlebars toare zero pollution, low noise, allow to increase or reduce theand it makes an excellent trail According to Ryan Young, The power output.riding bike. sport has tech forks and r16v shock, six speed settings, and is The EM weighs in at 70kg with The best part is there is no perfect for beginners and pro’s. battery, and there is no clutch or
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 25gears to contend with... perfect for a first-time rider but plenty of power for a Pro. Check out the video below of the EM 5.7 in action, plus the Bonus Pat Smage video just below that. For more info on the Electric Motion, go to www.rypusa.com.
T&E News P 26 Enduro EngineeringQuick TipFront Brake Rotor & Lower Right Leg Guard Let’s talk abour protecting your investment here! Any new bike, or even one just a few years old is a big investment so it’s a good idea to protects the most vulnerable parts of that investment to save on expensive repairs on down the road. This is especially true when you are racing off-road where you are subjecting you bike and body to the elements. Enduro Engineering is now offering this cool combination of front brake rotor guard and lower right leg guard to protect your bike from rocks, stumps, etc. Made of billet aluminum for superior strength, these two items install in just minutes! The rotor guard (Part # 13- 145) retails for $109.95, while the right lower leg guard (Part # 13-245) retails for $49.95. That’s cheap insurance when you are talking about replac- ing a fork leg or front rotor and caliper. For more information on these cool products and others, go to www.enduroeng.com or call (517) 393-2421. n
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 27Cody Webb Advantage Core EXP™ 3.0 Auto-Clutch #RideRekluse
T&E News P 28Cabestany Takes Surprise Win In OviedoAlbert Cabestany2015 FIM X-Trial World C’ship last won a round of the series the night. Jamie Busto – RepsolRound 6 back in 2010 held his nerve Honda made his second appear-March 21, 2015 brilliantly in the final section of ance as a wild card entrant inOviedo, Spain the night to demote Adam Raga the series and again was forcedPhotos By G2F Media (Gas Gas) into second spot. If to open qualification alongside Cabestany’s victory was a sur- Eddie Karlsson (Mon). Albert Cabestany (Sherco) prise, Repsol Honda’s Toni Boutook a surprise win at the clos- finishing down in third position The young pairing faired bet-ing round of the 2015 FIM X- was an even bigger shock. ter than in they did in Barce-Trial World Championship held lona with the Swedish rookiein Oviedo, Spain. Although best on the open- again coming out on top, much ing lap, Bou was completely off thanks to his superb ride in the After a poor qualifying show- form in the final and just man- second section where he losting, the thirty-four-year-old who aged to keep Jeroni Fajardo one on time. Busto finished on – Beta down in forth place on twenty-five marks compared
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 29to the twenty scored by Eddie. Adam RagaJames Dabill – Vertigo was nextout, but did not enjoy the bestof evenings. His five on the logsection when he failed to stopon the initial descent was tocost him dearly. Dabill ended his 2015 cam-paign with a lap of twenty-threemarks and seventh spot. Hisriding partner Alexandre Ferrer(Sherco) was again the stron-ger of the duo and not for thefirst time this season came veryclose to breaking the Spanishstranglehold of the finalists. Inthe end Ferrer would miss outgoing through by a single mark,his total of nineteen being justslightly too high. Fajardo madesure he would keep the fight forthird place in the series alive ashe made relatively light workof qualification. His final tally ofeleven marks proved to be thesecond best performance of theinitial lap and only one morethan Bou would achieve later inthe process. Fajardo’s only failure cameat the impossible third haz-ard where none of the ridersmanaged the final sequenceof steps. With his rival easilythrough, in contrast Cabestanyendured a heavy passage withthree maximums in his total ofeighteen, which allowed him tosteal the last place in the final.Neither Raga nor Bou were toshine as they were the last pair-ing to take to the floor in quali-fication. Both riders clocked upfives in sections three and fiveas they failed to match Fajardo’s
T&E News P 30two mark ride in the latter of sections in the final, which this to lose the Trial.these two hazards. Despite this time were ridden in the reverse This marked Cabestany’s firstBou was still the best qualifier direction, for the loss of onewith a score of ten compared to mark apiece. In contrast Fa- win since Marseille, France 2010the thirteen marks lost by Raga. jardo and Bou notched up early and was enough for him to maximums as the Repsol rider secure third in the final ranking Cabestany versus Raga began stalled his four-stroke machine. behind Bou and Raga respec-the race process in the final to From this point there was no tively.determine the starting order road back for Bou, as he was Final Resultsfor the main event, with Raga unable to make amends in any 1. Albert Cabestandy (Shr) 13winning through the first sprint. of the closing hazards. Raga and 2. Adam Raga (GG) 17His reign was to be short lived Cabestany arrived on the same 3. Toni Bou (Hon) 19as Fajardo then beat him in the marks going into the last hazard 3. Jeroni Fajardo (Bet) 22next dual lane encounter. Finally of the night, and having seen 2015 Final X-Trial StandingsBou would succeed to start last the Sherco rider escape for a 1. Toni Bou (Mon) 107as he defeated Fajardo in the single mark Adam tried to hold 2. Adam Raga (GG) 89concluding duel. onto the death, but in the end 3. Albert Cabestandy (Shr) 77 crashed out at the final moment Both Cabestany and Ragapassed through the first of six
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 31 Toni Bou
T&E News P 32BOU CLINCHESNinth X-Trial Title!
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 33 Photos Courtesy G2F Media
T&E News P 34 2015 FIM X-Trial World C’ship Round 5 March 14, 2015 Wienr Neustadt, Austria Photos By G2F Media As if there were any doubt, Repsol Honda’s Toni Bou clinched the 2015 FIM X-Trial World Championship, his ninth consecutive title in this series, after he took an impressive vic- tory at the next-to-last round held in Wiener Neustadt, Aus- tria. Bou was once again in a class of his own on the night and relied on Jeroni Fajardo – Beta taking the runners up spot at round five to seal the championship with one event still remaining as his main title rival Adam Raga (Gas Gas) was demoted to third for the night. Bou now holds an insurmount- able advantage of twenty-one points in the series standings following his fourth win of the season at an event where Albert Cabestany (Sherco) rounded out the top four. Germany’s Franz Kadlec (Beta) got qualification in progress, it was to prove to be a tough task for the young wild card rider as he made it to the end of just two out of the seven sections for a total score of 30 marks. His riding partner Eddie Karlsson (Mon) was as spectacular and entertaining as ever in his ap- proach and finished his lap on 26 marks to be the best con- tender of the first pairing. After
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 35a torrid campaign to date James Toni BouDabill (Vertigo) produced byfar his best performance of theseries so far, as he became thefirst and one of only four ridersto climb the huge step in thesecond hazard. Dabill’s score of21 marks was four better thanAlexandre Ferrer (Sherco) andgave the British rider his firstreal hope of making it throughto a final this year. The next pairing of Cabes-tany and Fajardo continuedto show just how difficult theseven sections were duringqualification. Fajardo fived theopening two hazards to givehimself a real uphill struggleto make it through to the lastfour, however his two dab onthe towering stairs in the finalsection put him level on markswith Dabill and set up a spicytie-break in the dual lane race.Raga and Bou were the last duoto take to the arena floor, theirarrival bringing a noisy cheerfrom the capacity crowd as theseries returned to Austria for thefirst time since 2003. Bou wastypically majestic throughouthis opening lap with only a fiveon the penultimate skip section,which stopped all the riders,blotting an otherwise almostunblemished performance. Bou’s total of six marks puthim 10 clear of Raga who sawhis tally rise by 10 in the closingtwo hazards when he too failedthe skip and then the final stepon the oversized wooden stairs.Fajardo and Dabill were forcedto race twice to decide the last
T&E News P 36 Albert Cabestanyplace in the final after the first was the only rider to escape the vidual World Championships.sprint was ruled a dead heat. massive step in the next hazard “I’m really very pleased,” saidFajardo was to eventually make as he moved clear of the field,it an all-Spanish final once again a position he would then not Bou. “I had a great race, and theas Dabill cruelly crashed out in surrender. Raga sealed his own way that Adam has been goingthe re-run. Fajardo beat Cabes- fate as he fell from the rocks in lately, I didn’t expect to win thetany in the first race to decide the third section where all his title here. It was a very trickystart order in the final, which rivals made it through. Cabes- and technical race and Jeroniforced the Sherco rider to open tany was never in the hunt and was really sharp today.”the seven sections ridden in the had to give better to Fajardoreverse direction this time. and Raga for the lower podium “I felt really comfortable in places, which were settled in all the sections, and the crowd Fajardo’s reign in the dual last section of the night. Bou ran got really into it too, whichlane was ended by Raga, who in out an easy winner by thirteen is really good for the sportturn was then defeated by Bou marks to seal his ninth consecu- as well,” added Bou. “It’s dif-in the next head to head con- tive crown in this series. Toni has ficult to reflect on what thistest. All four finalists failed the now won a total of 17FIM Indi- title means; nine is a lot, and Iopening log section, and Bou never thought that I would be able to win so many. The rivals
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 37have really battled and made it Bou Speaksdifficult, which is why it meansso much. The bike has run like Toni Bou continues to rewrite the record books and furthera dream all year and the team cemented his place in history as the Trial rider with the mosthas always been up to the job, FIM World titles when he sealed the 2015 FIM X-Trial Worldalways supportive, and I’d like to Championship at the penultimate round in Austria late lastdedicate this victory to them, to night. His ninth consecutive title in this series brings his tally tomy minder Joan Cordón, to my seventeen individual FIM Championships in all.family and friends and everyonewho follows me.” Speaking immediately after spraying the obligatory celebra- tion champagne during the podium ceremony a delighted King Raga, on the other hand, was Toni IX had this to say. “My feeling is incredible. Today my dreamnot pleased with his ride, having was to win this event as after losing in Pau I arrived here in Aus-won the round in Pau, France. tria much more confidant following my victory in Barcelona last weekend. With Jeroni (Fajardo) separating me and Adam (Raga) “The truth is that today we on the podium it has been the perfect day and has given mehave not done too well in Aus- the points advantage I needed to take the title and to be Worldtria,” said Raga. “We made too Champion once again.” nmany mistakes and we have nothad the day, but we must bepositive and be aware that thisresult leaves us well ahead inthe runner-up position. The keytoday has been in the sectionof stones, where I slipped thewheel and have gone down.The judges have not been toogood tonight and several oftheir decisions have harmed us.Although this is not an excusebecause afterward we had op-portunities to regain secondplace and we have not takenadvantage of these. Clearly, thisthird place, has not allowed usto speed up our title chances,but we must keep fighting andthink about the runner-up posi-tion. Next weekend, I will closethe X-Trial World Championshipwith a victory in Oviedo.”2015 FIM X-Trial C’shipRound 5 Results1. Toni Bou (Hon) 62. Adam Raga (GG) 163. Albert Cabestandy (Shr) 19
T&E News P 38 Alexandre Ferrer
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 39 Eddie Karlsson
T&E News P 40 Franz Kedlac
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 41 Jeronie Fajardo
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T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 43 BARCELOBONINUA Photos by G2F Media
T&E News P 44 2015 FIM X-Trial World C’ship Round 4 March 7, 2015 Barcelona, Spain Photos By G2F Media Toni Bou returned to the top step of the podium at the fourth round of the 2015 FIM X-Trial World Championship held in Barcelona, Spain. His latest victory, the third of the season, was a hard fought one with last round winner Adam Raga (Gas Gas) taking the fight right until the final section in what proved an ultra tough competition throughout. Raga was a worthy runner up, finish- ing just four marks behind Bou and well clear of Albert Cabes- tany (Sherco) who took the last rostrum spot as he edged out Beta’s Jeroni Fajardo by a single mark. Bou now leads Raga in the general standing by 13 points with two rounds to go. Al- though only five sections faced the riders during qualification, it always promised to be a rough affair, as has been the case so many occasions during long history of this event. Wild card entrant Jaime Busto (Hon) and series rookie Eddie Karlsson (Mon) were the first two riders to be thrown to the lion’s den. Despite the brave and val- iant efforts of these two young contenders neither managed to actually make it through any of the sections and both ended
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 45their lap with a maximum score Adam Ragaof twenty-five marks apiece.This was a story that was soonto repeat itself as the next pair-ing of James Dabill (Vertigo)and Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco)faired no better as they tooktheir turn in the gladiator pit.Although both riders advancedfurther through some of theextremely difficult hazards theeventual outcome was exactlythe same as they also clockedup five fives in a row. These initial four riders werenot to advance to the final andlater raced around the speedsection, which was made up ofadapted half a lap of the endurocourse, to decide the four-waytie. Karlsson set the fastest timeto claim a career best fifth spoton the night, as Dabill, Ferrerand Busto ended the eventin sixth, seventh and eighthrespectively. Cabestany becamethe first rider to make it througha section with a two in the firsthazard, a feat he would notrepeat again until the final sec-tion in qualification where henotched up two further marksto end with a score of nineteen. Fajardo scraped through thepenultimate section to book hisplace in the final with a total oftwenty-two marks. Raga andparticularly Bou completelyraised the bar with their qualify-ing performances as they setthemselves apart with scoresof ten and four respectively toensure that there was never anydoubt about them progressingto the main event.
T&E News P 46 Raga made his chances of a BUSTRO ON THE BIG STAGEsecond win a row much moredifficult as he placed last in the It is hard to imagine that there can be any bigger stage forspeed section and was therefore seventeen year old Jaime Busto – Repsol Honda to make hisforced to ride ahead of his rivals debut for his new team following his recent and well docu-in the final. Despite this initial mented move from Beta than at today’s 2015 FIM X-Trialsetback Raga kept eventual World Championship event in Barcelona, Spain.victor Bou honest throughoutthe final six sections, with Toni’s Busto, who was the 2014 FIM Trial World Cup winner, hassuccess only being declared been thrust fully into the spotlight as the selected wild cardafter his safe passage through entrant for this afternoon’s competition following a fewthe last hazard. weeks of open debate on the internet and social media chan- nels about the circumstances surrounding his move. “It was very close with Adamin the final, he is riding at a very Having won seven out of the thirteen counting days in thegood level, so I had to find my 2014 FIM Trial World Cup on route to lifting this title, there isbest riding to beat him,” said no doubt that Busto’s inclusion in todays event is on meritBou. “This is an incredible victo- alone,” Busto said. “Getting to terms with his new factoryry and is very important to help four-stroke machine in such a hostile environment will be ame regain my confidence and big challenge for the youngster, but one that Jaime is sure tofor the championship overall. I relish.am also happy to win at here formy team and for all my friends, “I’m really pleased to be able to form a part of the HRCfamily and fans who came to Team, the best team in the World. For me, it really is an honorsupport me.” to be in a team with such great champions as Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami. I hope to be able to learn a lot from them. While the battle for the top The Montesa Cota 4RT has surprised me. I will have to gettwo placing was packed with used to the four-stroke, but I think that I’ll adapt to it.”some exceptional riding, thiswas in utter contrast to the fightfor third place where Cabestanyand Fajardo only managed toget through one section a piecein their personal war of attrition.Fajardo’s five in the final hazardultimately promoting Cabestanyto the podium.2015 FIM X-Trial C’shipRound 4 Results1. Toni Bou (Hon) 62. Adan Raga (GG) 103. Albert Cabestany (Shr) 26
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 47 Adam Raga
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T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 49
T&E News P 50Eddie Karlsson
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