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Toni Bou Tells All 2021 FIM X-Trial
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News • The world of trials
REPSOL HONDA TRIALS TEAM 2022
SSDT 2022
The most celebrated team in the history of the FIM Trial World Championship presents new faces for the forthcoming season. Toni Bou will have Gabriel Marcelli as his team-mate while Takahisa Fujinami takes over as the Team Manager. Toni Bou and Gabriel Marcelli will be the Repsol Honda Team duo who will battle for the FIM TrialGP and X-Trial World Championships in 2022. Toni Bou will go all-out to defend his number-one status that has remained intact for a decade-and-a-half with 30 world titles under his belt. Alongside Toni Bou, the young Galician rider Gabriel Marcelli will make his debut in the team this year. He joins the team after a successful Trial2 career in which he was proclaimed world champion in 2019, followed by two solid seasons in TrialGP. The Repsol Honda Team have also reshuffled part of their staff with the incorporation of former rider Takahisa Fujinami as the new team manager. After 26 active seasons in the world championship, Fujinami will take up a new role within a structure he knows so well. His competitive experience will be a key factor in this new challenge for the 2004 FIM Trial World Champion. Photo credit: Repsol Honda Trials Team
Massively over-subscribed, with 612 entries, for the Scottish Six Days Trial in May, the organising Edinburgh & District Motor Club has used the ballot to accommodate the 280-entry limit. With no ‘Scottish’ for the last two years, it was expected that the interest in the 2022 event would exceed expectations; as you can see, it certainly has! Once again, Trial Magazine, in association with Michelin and Nevis Radio, will be bringing you the six days’ transmission for all to enjoy, which will be live from the event.
CLASSIC DIRT BIKE SHOW 2022
POSSIBLE PANDEMIC PROBLEMS FOR TRIALS
As we move into 2022, the pandemic continues to play havoc with the motorcycle trials world. You will find the 2022 events diary in this magazine, but we must emphasise that these dates could change with problems caused by the pandemic. Though it’s not yet confirmed, it looks very much like the FIM X-Trial calendar will be disrupted as it was in 2021 for the indoor world championship. TRIAL MAGAZINE DELAY: We also want to apologise to anyone who has had to wait for orders. We do all we can to meet demand, but delays caused around Covid-19 are beyond our control. However, all the schedules are in place to fulfil another busy year, bringing you both Trial Magazine and Classic Trial Magazine in full-colour gloss print or, for people on the go, we also have the digital option. Once again, we would like to thank everyone for your continued support.0116.pdf 1 15/01/2016 19:17 RCM TrialMag
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Put the dates in your diary: 12th & 13th February, and the place to be: Telford International Centre TF3 4JH for the Classic Dirt Bike Show 2022. The team at Classic Bike Shows has pulled out all the stops to once again bring you another show full of events over the two days. Trade stands, motorcycle displays, autojumble, and so much more are promised. Saturday evening guests will be Derrick Edmondson and Arthur Browning, two superb off-road all-rounders. You can get advance tickets from the website: www. classicbikeshows.com. Trial Magazine Trial Magazine AB MC's TrialMag 0921.pdfand1Classic 12/09/2021 10:13will be in attendance, so please come and see us.
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Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations! The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.
Talk trials • Toni Bou
THE GOAT TONI BOU
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February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
Toni Bou • Talk Trials
Team — with my father.
I think you would all agree that the word GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), is appropriate for Toni Bou. The undisputed King of the trials world holds 15 FIM Trial World Championship outdoor titles and 15 FIM X-Trial World Championship indoor titles. All 30 titles have been won as part of the Repsol Honda team powered by the four-stroke Cota 4RT engine. Man and machine as one in the demanding world of motorcycle trials. When this adventure started in 2007, who would have ever dreamed that we would enter such a historical period of the slow-speed, two-wheeled sport! In a recent conversation with Toni, we learned more about this sensational feet-up specialist. Words: Toni Bou with Trials Media • Pictures: Repsol Honda Pepe Segales, Trials Media Congratulations on your 30 world titles. Toni Bou: Having won everything since 2007 is a great source of pride; it’s as if we have been living a dream, something hard to believe. During these years, I have been incredibly grateful to all the people who have been part of it all. Winning this year’s 30th title in Barcelona was exceptional, and we will enjoy it all the way until next season gets underway in 2022.
Thinking of winning in Italy.
Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
Starting the year was difficult with the broken leg. The early days following the injury were tough, a mistake that I paid dearly. It makes you think that it could have even put an end to my career, but the medical team did a great job. The week of my first competitive ride after the recovery, I was surprised how I felt because I improved a lot from Monday to Saturday. I have to thank everyone who helped me get over it. In Italy, I struggled a lot, but after the trial, we were lucky that I had a week to recover, and from then on, it was what we might call a normal year, almost without any pain, and things went very well. At the FIM X-Trial, I struggled a lot too, not for anything physical but because there were only two trials, but it turned out to be a successful season.
Full attack for the world title.
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February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
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Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
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International Sport • FIM X-Trial
FIM X-TRIAL
INDOOR FOR ALL
Without a doubt, we still are living in a world dictated by the pandemic. In a bold and brave move, the promoters of the 2021 FIM X-Trial series put all the safety measures in place to run a condensed two-round world championship in Andorra and Spain. Of course, you could argue that the series was not a true world championship. Still, we applaud the FIM for keeping the history books alive since the series started in 1993 when Finland’s Tommi Ahvala gave the Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia its first FIM motorcycle world title. In the modern world of 2021, the FIM, for the first time, had the display put on by some of the top female riders in the world headed by Great Britain’s Emma Bristow. Motorcycle trials is a sport for all, and it was so good to see the FIM embrace the opportunity to showcase the female side of motorcycle trials in Barcelona in the magnificent Palau Sant Jordi stadium in Montjuic Park, found high above the vibrant city. Words: Trials Media • Pictures: Fili 32
This two-part world championship would be played out in Andorra in early November before a short break for round two in Spain at the close of the month; the ladies would only compete in Spain. Nine nominated riders would compete for the 2021 title. The FIM X-Trial and 2Play Event Production promoters set the format and rules and implemented them at each of the two rounds. The competition was structured into three parts with an opening-round where the best six out of the nine participating riders qualified to continue further before being split into two groups for the second part of the competition. From then on, only the top rider in each group would make the cut for the grand finale to find a winner. The nine riders would attempt five sections except for the final, which would be contested over six sections. As has been seen before, a selection of manufactured and natural materials would be used to create some difficult and challenging hazards to find the world champion.
February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
FIM X-Trial • International Sport
Jaime Busto (Vertigo-ESP)
Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP)
Matteo Grattarola (Beta-ITA).
ANDORRA
Would Toni Bou be untouchable? That was the question on the lips of the spectators. But, riding in front of his home supporters, he did look a little unsettled in the heats as his ever-constant rival Adam Raga looked very much up for the fight. The biggest shock of the evening’s entertainment was that of Italian rider Matteo Grattarola, who was very much on form in the qualifying as he led the way. Along with Jaime Busto, he made it through to the runners-up final, where they both went clean, but it was Busto who took the third step on the podium. In the close action of the small stadium, Toni came good when it most mattered in the final with a faultless performance, as Adam trailed him home some way off the pace of the winner.
2021 FIM X-TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Miquel Gelabert (GASGAS-ESP)
Toby Martyn (TRRS-GBR)
LA VELLA, ANDORRA
FINAL: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 0; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 11. RUNNER-UP FINAL: 1: Jamie Busto (Vertigo-ESP) 0; 2: Matteo Grattarola (Beta-ITA) 0. ROUND 2, HEAT 1: 1: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 5; 2: Jamie Busto (Vertigo-ESP) 7; 3: Miquel Gelabert (GASGAS-ESP) 30. ROUND 2, HEAT 2: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 0; 2: Matteo Grattarola (Beta-ITA) 13; 3: Jeroni Fajardo (Sherco-ESP) 17.
STANDINGS AFTER HEAT 1
Podium Andorra
Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
ROUND 1, GROUP 1: 1: Miquel Gelabert (GASGAS-ESP) 10; 2: Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa-ESP) 11; 3: Toby Martyn (TRRS-GBR) 16. ROUND 1, GROUP 2: 1: Matteo Grattarola (Beta-ITA) 4; 2: Jamie Busto (Vertigo-ESP) 7; 3: Jorge Casales (GASGAS-ESP) 20. ROUND 1, GROUP 3: 1: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 7; 2: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 7; 3: Jeroni Fajardo (Sherco-ESP) 8.
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My World • Dan Hemingway
MY WORLD
TEAM HEMMO Since starting Trial Magazine in 2007, we have watched the rise of so many promising young trials riders who have passed through the superb ACU youth system in the UK before joining the adult ranks in both the British and World championships. I have seen the ‘dads and lads’ process first-hand in my many years involved with the sport, the ultimate being Martin and Dougie Lampkin. Yorkshire has produced so many good riders, and the Hemingway brothers, Dan and Ben, have both achieved a high level of success, though neither made the dizzy heights of becoming world champions. Both are still heavily involved in the FIM Trial World Championship in very different areas. While Ben works for the FIM as a section advisor at the world rounds, elder brother Dan has his hands full with two of the most promising world championship talents with his two boys, Harry and George. Here we speak with Dan about the boys’ future and beyond as we take you on a journey into what he calls ‘My World.’
Dan in 2021 ACU British Championship action.
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Words: Trials Media with Dan Hemingway • Pictures: Trials Media, Christian Valeri, Eric Kitchen, Barry Watson
February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
Dan Hemingway • My World
George is always happy to share a joke.
Ben (picutred left) works for the FIM as a section advisor at the world rounds, Harry looks on.
D
an and his wife Emma face a hectic work schedule, juggling their fulltime employment and the boys’ trials education and off-road careers, but it’s a family world that they enjoy. Dipping behind the scenes, we enter ‘My World’ where, in his own words, Dan talks about the future for his two boys, George (13) and Harry (15), as they edge closer to the adult world. How does family life work 24/7? Dan: “Both Emma and I are involved in my business, which is a small groundworks and construction company. Emma is responsible
In Italy at the European rounds, it was hot!
Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
for the accounting and financial side while I run the business. Emma is also a partner in her family’s golf course where, again, she is responsible for the accounts and works in the clubhouse. Luckily these jobs give us a certain amount of freedom, especially if we can organise ourselves so that work can be left and we can help support the boys. This is taking more of a priority as we get deeper involved in the World, European and British Championships. Eventually, I’d like to be able to help and support both boys full time, if it gets to that stage, a little like my Uncle Martin did with Doug, which would be the dream.”
Where are both boys at in their education? “At the moment, Harry and George attend Wetherby High School. It is a local school to us, and it is turning out great, as it supports them both tremendously. The school is very sport orientated, and I think they can see the importance in fully backing them as they recognise how well they are both doing in trials. So much so that when Harry was due to ride in Japan, before Covid put a stop to it, the school had planned to set up a go-fund-me page and had some charity events planned to raise some money to help support the trip. Never in my lifetime have I heard of a school prepared to help to send a pupil to Japan! “Both Harry and George take their studies very seriously, which is reflected in their results so far. Harry is studying for his GCSE exams, which he will take this year.”
Harry looking good in Italy at the European championship.
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Catch Up • Andy Chilton
ANDY CHILTON
Many trials riders come through the youth system into the adult world then progress stumbles. From family motorcycle fun at an event to needing to win, it almost goes into pause mode. As youths mature into adults with success along the way, ambitions are aimed higher. They will venture into the adult world of the ACU British Championship and the FIM Trial World Championship. The step is huge in all classes and, despite enthusiasm from parents and riders alike, some find frustration too much, then move away from the sport. This was the case with Andy Chilton. He needed the fun factor putting back into motorcycle trials, a world he is so passionate about. As you will see, with the ambitions now moved into the UK trials scene, the missing piece in the jigsaw would be held by Scorpa UK importer Nigel Birkett. He would make available to Andy his years of experience. So when enthusiasm returned a few years ago, he started on a path which, in 2021, was rewarded with the much sought-after ACU Trials 2 British Championship. ‘Red Hot Chili’ was back and on top. Words: Andy Chilton with Trials Media • Pictures: Trials Media 62
February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
Andy Chilton • Catch Up
At seven years old, green was ‘go’ for Andy Chilton.
2002: A brand new 125cc Beta was the machine of choice.
It was a case of ‘Red Hot Chili’ in 2021! Andy Chilton: “I had a good year, and after trying so hard, I finally achieved what was right up around the top of my bucket list, the ACU Trial 2 British Championship. I was not so much ‘Red Hot’ all the time, but I found the key to consistency in my riding; I really enjoyed the championship. It was very much an up and down year, but in 2021 the ups and downs were at the right end of the results, the top.” A friend and rival Ross Danby put you under pressure. “Take nothing away from Ross; he is a good friend but also an extremely competitive rider who, like myself, does not have the spare time to practise like the younger riders. I was not overly surprised when Alexz Wigg won round one, but my fourth position was appalling when I considered myself a championship challenger. Oliver Smith won in round two, and I was sixth. Nigel Birkett asked me why we were putting in so much effort to finish outside the top five!
2009: Looking good at the YMSA Three Day Trial.
Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
2008: On the MRS-supported Sherco in the Youth BTC.
‘Rattled’ at round four. “Nigel has never minced his words. So, on a mission, I arrived at round three and day two of the Devon doubleheader. I easily won. When Nigel is talking, I am listening. I’m all ears, believe me, thank you, Nigel! What’s interesting is that Ross, as the defending champion, had also made a slow start to the season, which I knew would not last. “Nevertheless, I carried my good form to round four in the Lake District, which did my confidence a world of good. Ross then came right back at me and took a win on my home patch at Scarborough, and if I am honest, that rattled me a little. Ross won on seven, and my total of ten was made up of two fives; talk about annoyed.” Back on track “Just when I needed to, I went and won at Brimham Rocks with a very consistent ride, keeping my championship aspirations back on track. Ross put me right back in my place at the Welsh doubleheader with two strong wins as I fought to finish second on both days. It meant the championship fight would go to the final round at Barry Burton’s Dudwood Farm near Matlock in Derbyshire — neutral territory for both of us. When I needed Nigel the most, he informed me he would not be going as he was off on holiday. In his usual positive words, he said, ‘it’s all down to you, and yes, you can do it’.”
2011: Team MRS in the ACU Expert A Class BTC.
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All Change • Spain
SPANISH CHAMPIONSHIP
NEW COLOURS
2021
In 2020 the relatively new motorcycle manufacturer from Spain, TRRS, won the Spanish Trials Championship; it looked splendid in its yellow colour scheme with Adam Raga holding the handlebars. In 2021 the green-themed Vertigo, another new motorcycle manufacturer from Spain, would join this very elite group of motorcycle manufacturers with Jaime Busto on board; the new colours had arrived, knocking Montesa off the top spot. Montesa had made history with the first championship win in 1968 with Pedro Pi, as the European riders found their way to the world of motorcycle trials. The Spanish manufacturers would take the dominance in the trials world held by the once great motorcycle manufacturers of Great Britain, with trials models from Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa leading the way in the late ’60s, winning so many national titles around the world. This trend was started by Sammy Miller in the ACU British Championship with Bultaco in 1965. The Spanish Championship has run continuously since then and produced a total of four home-grown FIM Trial World Champions: Jordi Tarres, Marc Colomer, Adam Raga and Toni Bou. As a seven-time FIM Trial World Champion from 1997–2003, Great Britain’s Dougie Lampkin was the only non-Spanish rider to win the championship in 2001 and 2003, riding, ironically, the Spanish two-stroke Montesa. The only machine to win the championship that wasn’t manufactured in Spain was the Italian Beta in the hands of Albert Cabestany and, later, with Jordi Tarres. Words: Yoomee • Pictures: Xavier Bisbe, Montesa Trials Media, Eric Kitchen, Alan Vines, JC Vazquez, Vertigo, Peter J Beardmore, Bultaco, Toon Van De Vliet, Cyrille Barthe, Ramon Salles, Mauri/Fontsere Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright, TRRS and David Quer 72
2020
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ff-road riding was the ‘new’ sport in Spain during the ’60s as the home motorcycle manufacturers moved into the world of trials. Montesa was formed in 1944 by Pere Permanyer and Francesc ‘Paco’ Bulto. The business soon became a success, but the two owners had their own ideas on the company’s future, and, in 1958, Bulto left to form his own company Bultaco. These two rival companies would lead the way in developing the two-stroke trials machine we know so well in today’s modern world — lightweight, easy-to-ride machines. February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
Spain • All Change
1968: Pedro Pi (Montesa)
1968: PEDRO PI (MONTESA)
Pedro was a prolific motorcycle rider, winning both Spanish motocross and road race championships whilst working on a new 250cc singlecylinder two-stroke engine. This new engine was introduced in 1965 and would be a significant step in securing future success for Montesa in motorcycle sales. The trials model first appeared in 1967 and would be named the Cota 247. In 1968, after Pi won the first Spanish national trials title, he signed off from a fantastic riding career that had produced road race titles and six motocross titles in Spain to devote his time and energy developing the Cota trials model.
1969-1972: IGNACIO BULTO (BULTACO)
A proud Ignacio Bulto gave his father, Francesc’ Paco’ Bulto, the title in 1969 for Bultaco with the Sherpa’ T’ model. It was a huge victory over their rivals, Montesa — a title he would retain until 1972. As you can well imagine, all those years ago, the fight for supremacy in the motorcycling industry in Spain was at an all-time high.
1969-1972: Ignacio Bulto (Bultaco)
Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
1973: Fernando Munoz (Bultaco)
1973: FERNANDO MUNOZ (BULTACO)
On the new 325cc Sherpa’ T’, the championship remained with Bultaco in the safe hands of Fernando’ Randy’ Munoz. He was another rider who was put on the road to success by Francesc’ Paco’ Bulto. As well as a trials champion, he also won four Spanish motocross championships. Sadly, he was killed in a car crash in May 1983.
1974-1977: MANUEL SOLER (BULTACO)
Manuel was the grandnephew of Bultaco founder Francesc Bulto. He was the son of Juan Soler Bulto, the nephew of Senor Bulto, and played a huge part in developing the Sherpa trials models. His close friends and family nicknamed him ‘El Monstruito’ (The Little Monster). The accolade of becoming the first Spaniard to win an FIM World Championship round at Espoo, near Helsinki, Finland on a 325cc Bultaco in August 1979 went to Manuel, and he was also the first winner of an FIM World Trials Championship round in Spain on a Spanish machine with Montesa in 1981. He sadly passed away in January 2021.
1974 -1977: Manuel Soler (Bultaco)
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Crossover • Billy Bolt
BILLY BOLT
NUTS & BOLTS When a young talent wants to pursue the dream of becoming an off-road motorcycle world champion, sometimes they have to change the two-wheeled discipline they are competing. So many good, talented, more youthful riders have found the slow-speed world of motorcycle trials frustrating, the need for speed evident from a very young age. Some go to motocross, road racing, speedway or enduro; many disappear. You might note many who achieve the ultimate accolade of a world champion started in trials, the slow, delicate throttle-hand feeling essential for that all-important adhesion quality called grip. One such rider was a certain Billy Bolt, a youngster who could never quite achieve what was possible in the trials world. Wind the clock forward five years, his journey was ultimately rewarded with the 2021 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at the end-of-season GetzenRodeo race in Germany. The ‘Nuts and Bolts’ adventure for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider is now firmly placed in the FIM Motorcycle World Championship hall of fame with three world titles. Well done that man. Words: John Hulme and Billy Bolt • Pictures: Enduro Extreme Magazine, Trials Media and Enduro21.com
2016: Happier in life with the move to enduro.
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February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
Billy Bolt • Crossover
2013: On the 125cc Ossa in the ACU Youth Championship.
FIRST MEETING
2008: My first meeting with Billy still makes me laugh. I asked him his name and his answer was “Billy Bolt, who are you?” We hit it off straight away.
I
noticed Billy Bolt from an incredibly young age. He was different from most other youth riders I knew; he was not shy. All he ever wanted to do was ride a motorcycle, and it was trials where he would first start to shine.
2008: It was at a Richmond ACU Youth Trial C Class championship round in the early days of Trial Magazine when I first found Billy Bolt.
Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
My first meeting with Billy still makes me laugh. I asked him his name and his answer was “Billy Bolt, who are you?” — we hit it off straight away. It was in 2008, at a Richmond ACU Youth Trial C Class championship round in the early days of Trial Magazine. I also spoke with his father, Dave. It was the start of a friendship that lasted to the present day. Rising through the excellent youth system for young trials riders on a Beta in the UK, Billy was always close to the top but never won a British Championship. Interestingly, in 2012 he won the youth Scott Trial — named the Mintex Trophy — whilst in the B class. Though at a very young age, the need for speed showed.
Moving into the adults in the ACU British 125cc Championship was a good move, and in 2015 he took the Best Newcomer and 125cc class awards at the Scottish Six Days Trial on the Ossa with support from Nigel Birkett. However, progressing through the European and FIM World Championship was becoming very difficult. Billy was always so close but so far away. You could sense the frustration in his riding. Nevertheless, you could never doubt his commitment at the British and world championship rounds. Still, in truth, it was not happening and, despite the odd good result, he knew he needed a change if he was to ever become a motorcycle world champion.
2015: At the Japanese FIM World round in Japan on the Scorpa.
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Ladies • Kaytlyn Adshead
KAYTLYN ADSHEAD
ONE TO WATCH
Focussed on the future at the close of 2021.
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Life behind the camera lens can often be fascinating as you take note of promising talent or special rides that catch your eye. Maybe, it’s a section that no one is cleaning. In this case, a quiet, calculated approach caught mine. At the Italian world round in the FIM Trial2 Women’s Class, Kaytlyn Adshead’s name was noted with a first trip to the podium on day two. Was this just a one-off? I questioned my judgement, but when she once again took to the podium in France at Charade. If I am honest, I was not surprised. Speaking with her father, I soon found out that she came from the Isle of Man, the Isle of so much talent — not just the flat-out TT specialist, but also with the slower-speed world of trials and its most notable export to date, Steve Colley. Quiet in her nature, she has committed to a training programme during the winter months to ensure she is ready for the next step up the ladder as the new year opens. Her talent has come under the radar to emerge as a real-world championship challenger for the 2022 FIM Trial2 Women’s world title. In my opinion, she is one to watch. Words: John Hulme with Kaytlyn Adshead • Pictures: Trials Media Jaxx Lawson Judy Champion Christian Valeri
February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
Kaytlyn Adshead • Ladies
One step from the top in Spain on day two in 2021.
Why motorcycle trials? Kaytlyn: “I had a 16” OSET, which lived in the shed for most of its time, but I started trials at the age of nine when my dad bought me a 20” OSET for Christmas. A few weeks later, I met my coach/minder/mechanic Michael Owen at an agricultural show displaying OSET machines. This caught my eye, and we arranged some practice days to get me started. “Michael had some other female riders, such as Ella Doherty, who helped and encouraged me through my early days as a trials rider. From this point on, there was no going back; I had found my passion and dream! “The OSET was great to start my career on as it improved my balance and throttle control before moving on to a petrol machine. I was on an OSET for one year where I competed in the Youth D Class on the Isle of man.
Turning on the style in 2016.
Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
2015: on the Beta.
At what age did you convert to petrol power? “In 2014, at the age of 10, I moved onto a medium wheel Beta 80 when I competed in the C class championship on the Isle of man. The year after, I rode in my first off-island competition at Bracken Rocks, where I finished third. I also competed in the InterCentre Team Trial at Northumberland, where the Isle of Man girls team came second. There were two rounds of the ACU Ladies’ British Championship held on home ground, where I finished second on both days, which was a revelation to all of us. It gave us some expectations and goals for a full season in the ACU ladies C Class British Championship in 2016. This meant a lot of hard work from me, both riding and being physically and mentally prepared for the year.”
Looking very professional in the Station Garage Team riding kit in early 2018.
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Dealer visit • OHA Motorsport
TRIALS DEPOT OHA MOTORSPORT
Founded in 2016, OHA Motorsport has established a name for providing top-quality parts, service and technical support for the motorcycle road and road-racing fraternity in a short period of time. Based in Northern Ireland, the lure of motorcycle racing has always been close to the heart of Jonny Annett, who heads up the rapidly growing business. Although primarily focused on tarmac motorcycling, the business has always catered in some way for motorcycle trials; welcome to their ‘Trials Depot’. Article: Trials Media and OHA Motorsport 102
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ind the clock forward to 2021, and the company based in Bangor, Co. Down, just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland, enters the trials arena on a much larger scale. The important dateline was February 2021, which would see them appointed as official TRRS and Vertigo dealers, quickly followed by the launch of the dedicated OHA Motorsport Trials depot in March. Jonny Annett: “I had ridden trials motorcycles for a short period in my teenage years but drifted away, with a big focus on my own short-circuit racing. In autumn 2020, I purchased another trials machine for myself for some fun. Things rapidly grew from there to arrive at our new dedicated ‘Trials Depot’ where we can focus more on the needs of the motorcycle trials rider. “Our business has been built and grown around pure road riding and short-circuit racing, supplying everything from service parts and tyres to performance parts and
February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
OHA Motorsport • Dealer visit
preparation of racing machines. We have always catered for motorcycle trials in a small way with some consumable parts, clothing and the like. Then when I started riding my trials motorcycle a little last year, I could see there was some untapped potential for doing a lot more. So I wanted to bring something new to trials here in Northern Ireland.” Riding a TRRS just for pleasure, it was a chance conversation with the official TRRS UK importer, Steve Saunders, that saw the first steps towards OHA Motorsport becoming the official dealer for Northern Ireland and Ireland. That was then quickly followed up with the addition of the Vertigo range for the Northern Ireland market. “I had purchased the TRRS myself for a bit of fun last year, and from that, things have just grown. I had spoken with Steve Saunders when I was ordering some parts, and it didn’t take long before we’d agreed on becoming dealers for the TRRS range. A further opportunity presented itself with Vertigo, and we had sorted that just in time for the launch of the new R3 model, which was really good timing! Both brands are relatively young in the trials market but are most definitely some of the most exciting and, like us here at OHA, passionate about what they do. “The TRRS range is for sure proving very popular for us. The range of models and the offering of the electric start version means there is something for everyone, young or old. Then you have the fuel-injected Vertigos; the interest in the new Nitro model has been great. “We try our best to have machines in stock at all times, depending on availability, which means we can offer immediate delivery for the majority of models.” In addition to the main dealer status for TRRS and Vertigo, you can also find a selection of fully prepared and ready-to-ride used machines to suit all pockets and budgets. The trials depot at OHA Motorsport boasts an extensive range of spare parts, consumables, accessories, clothing and helmets, from all the top trials brands, including Jitsie, S3, MOTS, HEBO, Renthal and Apico, to list a few. Jonny: “Once we got the dealerships for the TRRS and Vertigo, and with the interest and support we had from the trials community here in Northern Ireland, opening the dedicated trials depot here at OHA Motorsport was the Trial Magazine • February-March 2022
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February-March 2022 • Trial Magazine
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