Now in its third year, there is no doubt that the highly popular Manchester-based Red Bull City Trial continues to go from strength to strength. With a new home in the city's Deansgate, once again huge crowds gathered to watch most of the world's best Trials riders compete ove a unique urban course produced exclusively for this event by course designer, Martin Lampkin.
Making his debut at his first ever City Trial was the legend that is Toni Bou and, although there were no major prizes up for grabs today, losing is not an option where Toni is concerned and he stormed to victory, winning all four of the hourly heats. Second place overall went to Britain's own James Dabill with the remaining podium spot also being occupied by a Brit in the form of Michael Brown.
With the weather having been kind for the previous two editions of this unique event, it didn't look like it was going to be third time lucky as Manchester awoke to heavy rain that was predicted to remain for most of the day. There were also some concerns over the presence of the Spanish riders, Toni Bou, Adam Raga and Jeroni Fajardo all of whom travelled overnight from a Spanish Indoor Championship Trial to take part. A delayed flight could have had a major impact to the event, but all went to plan and the Spanish threesome were whisked from Manchester Airport in a fast car in time for the first heat, by which time the skies were somewhat clearer and the event even enjoyed spells of sunshine. The overnight rain had taken its toll though with parts of the course extremely slippery and catching out virtually all of the riders early in the day, particularly on the bridge obstacle. With the course drying as the day progressed, the massed crowds were treated to more and more spectacular riding in an event where fastest finished is winner.
It's difficult to quantify just how much these events raise the profile of the sport of Trials. Thousands of people, the vast majority of which would never go to a Trials event and most probably don't even know the sport exists, are treated to an entertaining spectacle right in a city centre. Yes, the naysayers would say "It in't real Trials". Of course it's not, but it's fun, it's easy to understand for the public (none of this did he stop, didn't he stop malarky), it's entertaining and it shows the sport in a positive light.
Credit and thanks must go to Red Bull UK and G2F Media for organising this event, Martin Lampkin for upping his game every year to come up with new and unique ways to challenge the riders - and also to his crew of helpers who were on-site from Thursday constructing the course and who will be working well into the night tonight to strip everything down, to Manchester City Council for allowing these Trials to take place and to the riders who provided another fun and entertaining day.
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