Looks like Eddie has decided to call it a day and won't be riding any more world rounds , doesnt mention anything on his press release about 2018 yet though.great shame I always enjoyed watching him, very stylish and ballsy rider unfortunately he's never really cut the mustard, probably another hard enduro convert 

Another one discouraged enough to leave?  Pretty hard with an amazing rider like Bou outriding everyone, Honda building him unlimited budget Factory works machines just makes him that much more untouchable....

 Eddie`s rides in my section at Arizona were the most spectacular. Amazing rider, but at the end of the day I checked his score and just way too many fives.  You could see this coming from a mile away. If he goes to Endurocross he will dominate that sport in a short amount of time. 

It was always going to happen. Gubion and ferrer will be the next 2 to knock it on the head. 

At the end of the day these boys, as amazing as they all are, are probably losing a fortune every year to fund  the World Series. They can't keep running on fresh air. The brilliance of bou isn't the problem, it's the complete lack of money in the sport, even if your a top 12 in the world!!

28 minutes ago, dmc2028372 said:

It was always going to happen. Gubion and ferrer will be the next 2 to knock it on the head. 

At the end of the day these boys, as amazing as they all are, are probably losing a fortune every year to fund  the World Series. They can't keep running on fresh air. The brilliance of bou isn't the problem, it's the complete lack of money in the sport, even if your a top 12 in the world!!

Probably about right

Also the factories dont support these riders as they should, or could.

It's a bit pointless though for the factories isn't it....

Despite a more professional world championship new bike sales are declining as people by pre65, acm, twinshock etc. To compound this entries are down as well. So clearly funding the WTC isn't generating sales ?

Honda/Montesa treated Eddie very poorly because he wasn't one of the chosen ones.

I'd think he'd do better on a different bike but will anyone provide one ?

Its too bad really... I really do believe though that this new format and TrialGP is on the right track. I hope the factories can see that being a partner and supporting more riders is better for the sport long term and them as well.

The trouble with trials at wtc  is  TRIALS  it is a amateur sport run by amateur volunteers for professionals so were dose/will the money come from ? to keep these riders in the sport

Its not run by amateurs anymore.....Trial is the last of the FIM disciplines to be run by a professional promoter. I think you should do a little research and ask some questions. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend an FIM meeting at the TrialGP event in the USA and the Jake was in attendance as well. He gave a clear vison and the amount of work they have done with such short notice this year I think is to be commended.

 So a professional sport with professional promoter but needs? with NO disrespect to  a AMATEUR club  volunteer work force ie find land observers & helpers put the trial on ? , So theres nothing to worry about then at WTC coz its not run by amateurs any more so riders will stay & entrys will flood in along with  the cash !  YES i do know what goes on as i helped with the gps at penrith ! .

Edited September 12, 20178 yr by on it
add

I understand that the parent organization(s) like the FIM and the promotor are not amateur, but that doesn't eliminate the issues created by the rest that are.  So when we have observers that are paid and are the same ones at every event so the scoring can be consistent and maybe a paid course designer(s) that is also sent to each event ahead of time, etc. then I will believe the statement "Its not run by amateurs anymore.....", tell then its at least in part run by amateurs and has some inherent problems as a result.  

 

My 2 cents.

Edited September 12, 20178 yr by jonnyc21

On 09/09/2017 at 6:27 PM, baldilocks said:

It's a bit pointless though for the factories isn't it....

Despite a more professional world championship new bike sales are declining as people by pre65, acm, twinshock etc. To compound this entries are down as well. So clearly funding the WTC isn't generating sales ?

No I dont think it pointless at all. Lets say trs stop wasting money on raga and split the cash to Jack price dan peace eddie and say some jap kid. This creates four riders up and coming who could affect sales. You could say that now is the time for veritgo and trs to pick up 4/5 in the top ten and get some top lads out on their new bikes, uk as much as wtc, but it doesn't seem to be happening.....