neils on wheels

is this it? They've been not moving forward with this one for about four decades.

This is an interesting point, I've generally been of the view that restricting youths to a 125 so they learn to get the most from a bike, rather than be dragged around by a 250, is a good idea if you're going to be riding big sections in the future and need to squeeze the maximum out a 300cc engine. However, I do wonder if what is good for the majority does hold back the elite riders. I think I'm right in saying that the five riders who have dominated world trials for the last decade were all riding 250+ bikes in the world championship class at around the age that today's youths are still restricted to a 125. Certainly a good result for Gelabert at Sheffield, well done to him. Let's hope he is another who can step up to challenge the established top five. Regarding the week in week out competition and practicing with the best in the world: I completely agree, success breeds success and we see it in all sports and indeed other walks of life.

@faussy In 2017 Trial GP, Gelabert, Farre & Price finished 11th, 12th & 13th in that order, so are they really as far apart as you suggest? A compounding question and rather damning fact, is why only one rider in the last decade, of any nationality, (Jamie Busto) has been able to break into the worlds top five.

Well good luck to them, but honestly do you expect them to announce their status as importer by sounding pessimistic about the viability of the company, uncertain about the owner's commitment to his importers and unsure about continuity of supply for bikes & spares? Why will they succeed where Steve Saunders & Haven have failed?

There is a hint here in Malc Rathmell's press release when Sherco signed Jack Sheppard "Sherco and I have spoken long and hard about trials and we feel the time is now right to go back to basics, trials at grass roots. We want to concentrate on national championships, classic trials, nationals and centre/club events." I guess they'll have Gelabert in the WTC, Emma Bristow iin the Ladies WTC and that's it. As for Cabestany, I wonder if we'll see him in the WTC?

@petorius I am in the UK and I have had to do the same (on an employer's policy) and have answered 'yes' to this question. My rationale is that disclosure is the best policy, otherwise you risk a claim being denied in the unfortunate event that you did suffer a trials related injury.

Perhaps the conclusion to this little story & the answer to philmario's original question is that not everyone is riding Jotagas because we can't work out how to pronounce the damn thing!

I am not trying to make anyone appear foolish and if I have caused offence, then I apologise. However in the interest of accuracy, whilst the letter ‘J’ may be named ‘jota’ in Spanish, this does not mean it is pronounced, or ‘said’ jota as was stated in the earlier post. Happy Christmas to all from pedant’s corner.

So not “Jota-me” then....

How do you pronounce Jamie Busto? Jesus? Jamon?

Probably needed a fag.

In my opinion it is mostly down to lack of confidence in the company and it's ability to supply both bikes and back up. If everyone did want to buy a Jotagas (or are they called JGas? I can't keep up) could they provide sufficient supply?

No and neither will twinshocks

I think Iwan Roberts rides in a similar style. Each to their own, they both seem to do well enough.

I've watched the first two episodes and reckon a bit more about the trial, less about the relationship between Ross & James Burroughs would be welcome. Is this what will bring trials to an external audience?

A 250 is enough to win a National trial or even a British Championship round, so if you think you can outride guys like Dan Peace and Iwan Roberts, then you may benefit from a 300. Otherwise I suspect you'd get on better with the 250.

Do you stroke the mudguard of your bike?

The fact that Jack Sheppard has just signed for Sherco, must be another indication that Dabill is heading to Beta and will ride in the UK.

I’m sure Montesa will be happy enough with a two rider team given that one of them is Toni Bou & that barring injury he will be 2018 world champion. Dabill has never been more than the 6th best rider in the world, whether on Gas Gas, Vertigo, Beta or Montesa. So whilst that is better than most of us could ever dream of, it does mean he is not first pick for any of the factories. Having never been a factory rider, it’s hard to know how team hierarchies work, but I imagine as #1 you get more attention & influence on bike development.

I think this conclusively demonstrates that with Torrot's backing, Gas Gas have the second deepest pockets in the paddock. Mind you, there is nothing to stop HRC re-signing Busto if & when he meets most people's expectations as the successor to Toni Bou.

Good to see sense prevailing with a world round in Yorkshire rather than Guatemala!

Gelabert finished 4th in the last round of the Spanish Championship, ahead of Fajardo & Casales who were both Vertigo mounted....

A position at ParcMotor Castellolí was referred to in the article linked above. http://www.racingcircuits.info/europe/spain/parcmotor-castelloli.html#.WhQdn7SFjBI

Is it possible that Gas Gas succeed in signing Busto & thus don't sign Fajardo?

I think that's fair enough if he rides in GB, but what if he chooses not to ride British championship or Scottish.