[neonsurge]

So Dougie's riding the Tough One this year... but in the pro/expert enduro class (trials bikes are banned from the main race this year)! Should be a good one - Knight, Lampkin, Blasusiak, Jarvis, Braybrook... anyone fancy picking a winner from that lot?

Pro/Expert entry list
Speed Trial entry list

[txt_280]

David knight my money is on, he's not lost there yet(as far as I know), although he's on a new bike, the bmw so maybe that might be his downfall, it's not really proven in the off road scene yet.
I think fast eddy might be one to watch aswell
We'll see on the day, I'm going down to watch 30mins from me, should be a good day........

[spud]

I would say Knight but he's having to ride a 450, which is untested at this event and its a new bike for him. Interesting Taddyhas choosen a 200, he will know thats what he needs to win not a big 530 ktm. Anyone know why Joe Baker is riding a KTM and not a T-ride?

[Nigel Dabster]

Joe baker as announced in tmx I think is giving trials a rest (selected events) and having a go at enduros this year sponsored by a ktm dealer in cumbria.

[fellonmelug]

Trials bikes banned! Whats all that about?

[Nigel Dabster]

fellonmelug, on Jan 3 2009, 05:38 PM, said:

Trials bikes banned! Whats all that about?

the course is so "technical" it is more easily taversed on a trials rather than enduro bike. not too sure about the rules on tyres.

[txt_280]

Nigel Dabster, on Jan 3 2009, 06:49 PM, said:

the course is so "technical" it is more easily taversed on a trials rather than enduro bike. not too sure about the rules on tyres.

tyre wise, trials tyres are not allowed mx/enduro only

I think the reason trials bikes are banned is that they have there own event this year, the speed trial.

Even though the course is technical and probably more suited to a trials bike the trials riders could not compete with the enduro bikes as they were just to fast, hence the reason for there own event.

[spud]

txt_280, on Jan 3 2009, 08:24 PM, said:

tyre wise, trials tyres are not allowed mx/enduro only

I think the reason trials bikes are banned is that they have there own event this year, the speed trial.

Even though the course is technical and probably more suited to a trials bike the trials riders could not compete with the enduro bikes as they were just to fast, hence the reason for there own event.

If only the course had a few more high speed field crossings it would take the advantage away the trials bikes...... But like most things a well balanced event would require quite of lot of working out to,so best split the machinery.

This post has been edited by spud: 03 January 2009 - 08:54 PM

[txt_280]

I think in past years they have run along side each other but this year they have made the course a bit easier/more flowing so this could also be a reason for creating the speed trial

[CYPHER]

trials bikes have always been banned in the main tough one race as far as i know.

it is after all an extreme enduro.

brown only road last year as an extra reward for winning the extreme trials race.

and whilst there was alot of uproar when he was pulled from the race if i recall it said from the word go that the extreme trial winner would only ride the first hour of the main race.

This post has been edited by CYPHER: 03 January 2009 - 09:23 PM

[Cota Kid]

The 450 BMW did well enough in the 2008 Red Bull Romaniacs, so I don't imagine for one minute that will handicap Knighter. But Doug on the Beta Enduro now that is of supreme interest.

[spud]

Cota Kid, on Jan 5 2009, 03:50 PM, said:

The 450 BMW did well enough in the 2008 Red Bull Romaniacs, so I don't imagine for one minute that will handicap Knighter. But Doug on the Beta Enduro now that is of supreme interest.

The BMW also did well at the Erzberg, but didn't win! I haven't seen Knight ride a four stroke at the Last Man Standing, Erzberg and any other extreme events? The four strokes are good at the west beach race and GBXC along with the WEC. The tough one is an extreme course and two stroke win face the facts. Taddy could have rode a KTM 450 at the tough one but is chosing to ride a 200 two stroke and he's one of the best rider in the world.

[EDGAS250]

i think trials tyres are banned this year, i think top 5 this year will be -

1)knighter
2)taddy
3)sagar
4)eddy
5)braybrook

i dont think 4str wont hold either knight or tom back this year,

i always think its silly at the tough one letting the experts go before the pro's, i know they have the gimmick putting the wheels on, or running to your bike, but last year there was such a bottle neck at the first few corners that a few of the top riders where getting stuck behind them.

[thespikeyone]

Does anyone know if the event is going to be on TV????

[Lennie]

Trials bikes will be much better on this track !!!!!!

I rode the tough one jnr on a sherco 2.5i enduro last year and no doubt about it I would of been faster on my beta rev 3 and this track is harder !!!!!!!!!