I have always wonder do the likes of Bou Raga etc have numerous pratice bikes or do they use the bike they compete on to be accustomed with the machine for WTC. Also tyres do they replace them every day on a 2 day WTC and how often in practise ?

Hmmm, good question. Not sure about Raga, Bou etc now but when I was minding the rider would normally have 3 or 4 bikes at any time but only ride the best one. This would normally have old plastics and wheels / tyres etc.. fitted for practice then before a big Trial be fully stripped and all the good / new stuff fitted. Certainly a new rear and good as new front tyre. Perhaps new middle box and silencer or repacked.

The 'best' bike would perhaps be used for only a few weeks though before a new one bought and prepared. The old one might be kept for minder use then one of the others would be tarted up and sold. Not always a bad buy to be honest as often it'll have std new forks / shocks etc... fitted back on in place of the 'factory' items.

Of course it all deponds on the teams, budget and strength/quality of the bike as how often the bikes and parts are replaced.

so steve, who did you mind for?

Did a couple of short stints first for Martin Crosswaite then Graham Jarvis 98/99ish.