SPANISH motorcyle trials riders, Albert Cabestany – Sherco (currently third in world championship standings after round two), is particularly looking forward to round six of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship to be held at Nevis Range, Fort William in the Outdoor Capital of the UK on 30 and 31 July.
The inaugural SPEA FIM Trial World Championship held at Nevis Range in 2010 was a huge success with the spectacular setting creating one of the best events the championship has seen in its 35-year history.
The universally applauded event was Cabestany’s favourite during last year’s eight-round series.
“I really enjoyed the Trial in Fort William last year,” said the 30 year-old trials veteran.
“For me, I think it was probably the best event in the 2010 calendar. It was certainly the most complete race of the season, and the location up there in the Highlands is absolutely stunning. It is great to have an opportunity to ride in the mountains like that, and I am pleased that we are going back to Scotland again this year. I am really looking forward to it.”
Cabestany failed to crack the top five on day one at the Grand Prix of Great Britain last year, finishing sixth. However, the experienced Catalan fought back on day two to finish second behind Japanese rider, Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa.
In doing so, Cabestany defeated day one victor Bou, proving that the nine-times world champion is indeed beatable. No doubt, Cabestany will want to better that result this time around and triumph over Bou once again.
“I did not have a great first day in Fort William, but day two was much better and I finished on the podium,” explained Cabestany.
“It was a great race. I really enjoyed the sections, they were fantastic. It looks like we will have more time in the sections this year too, which will be even better. I cannot think of anything the organisers need to do to improve the course as it was very well designed. I just hope the weather is good and that the sun is shining when we visit. That would be nice.”
Fortunately for Cabestany and his rivals the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship will head to the Highlands in mid-summer this year, so he may just get his wish of a little sunshine plus another great event.
With two days of world-class action guaranteed set in one of the most stunning venues in the UK, this is a weekend not to be missed.
Full information on the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William, including travel and accommodation, and to buy tickets go to http://www.ukworldtrial.com/ or call the event hotline on 0845 643 6756.
Ends
Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert, Podge Publicity – T: 07968 699636 / E: paddy@podge.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Useful websites:
2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William – http://www.ukworldtrial.com.
FIM – http://www.fim-live.com/en/
ACU – http://www.acu.org.uk/
Trials Central – http://wwwtrialscentral.com/
On Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July, the Nevis Range, Fort William, in the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’, will again host the UK leg of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, the 36th edition of the biggest, and arguably the most important and the best motorcycle trial competition series on the international calendar.
Seven other rounds will be hosted in Germany, France, Japan, Spain, Andorra, Italy and Poland in the 2011 series.
As a major focus for both country and rider 60 of the most accomplished, composed and skilful motorcycle trials riders from 15 countries around the globe will descend on the Scottish Highlands to battle it out for valuable points towards the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship World Pro (male only at Fort William), World Junior (male and female) and World Youth (male and female) titles.
There will be a real war of attrition between riders as Fort William hosts the sixth round of eight Grand Prix events; the potential for titles to be both won and lost high on the agenda.
Funding and support
The 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William is supported by EventScotland, Highland and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council together with Nevis Range, Alcan, Forestry Commission Scotland, VisitScotland, Outdoor Capital of the UK, TMX and Hope.
The sport
Motorcycle trials is unique in the world of motorsport. It is the only discipline where the winner is decided on skill alone. It is a test of riding skill and balance over observed sections. When competitors ride the timed sections their feet must remain on the footrests of the motorcycle as they negotiate seemingly impossible obstacles, both natural and man made. They must negotiate steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams or boulder-strewn gorges. Sections vary in length and severity, and riders are penalised if they put their feet down to help them ride the section, and more so if they fail to negotiate the section in its entirety.
The sport originated in the UK nearly a century ago and has enjoyed a long association with Fort William and Lochaber – ‘The Outdoor Capital of the UK’ – as host to the World famous Scottish Six Days Trial that celebrates its centenary in 2011.
World championship classes
World Pro – As the name suggests, this is the world’s elite – the professionals, the best on the planet.
World Junior – This class is for riders aged 16 to 23 years-old and is a feeder class for the top category.
World Youth – Riders in this class are restricted to 125cc machines, and must be aged 16 to 18 years-old.
The Trial des Nations
The UK World Trial 2011 also marks the second year of a three year plan that will see the prestigious FIM Trial des Nations being staged at Nevis Range in 2012, as this inter countries competition visits the UK mainland for the first time since the competition started in 1984.
The Trial des Nations is regarded as ‘the Jewel in the Crown’ in world motorcycling and is strongly supported by the majority of national federations affiliated to the FIM. This annual event normally attracts teams from around 25 nations and caters for both female and male riders. The competition takes place over three days with the final round of the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship opening proceedings ahead of the two-team events. The three-member ladies teams then fight it out on Saturday prior to Sunday’s main trial, when the mighty four-man squads battle it out for top honours.
Governing bodies
The 2010 and 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship and Trial Des Nations 2012 will be run on behalf of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) which is the world governing body of motorcycle sport.
The Auto Cycle Union (ACU), the British motorcycle federation, has sanctioned these events to be run within its territory.
The events will be run in accordance with the FIM sporting code, trial regulations, technical rules and environmental code, with delegates from both the FIM and the ACU present throughout the events to ensure compliancy.
EventScotland
EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org
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Contact: Paddy Cuthbert
Phone: 07968 699636
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.ukworldtrial.com.
