FOR the second year in a row, the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William, was declared a huge success by the FIM – the world governing body of motorcycle sport, the ACU – the British motorcycle federation, the riders, the teams and the fans alike.
The two very different days of action were greeted warmly by the large crowds that attended the event.
Steve Colley headlined Saturday’s packed programme with two great stunt shows, the second of which took place high up the mountain at the top gondola station.
On Sunday, it was Spain’s Adam Raga who won the main Trial, by beating reigning world champion, Toni Bou, by a single mark in a suitably tense and exciting climax to the weekend.
After months of speculation and anticipation, Japanese rider and fans favourite, Takahisa Fujinami, finally won the much publicised Highland Challenge as he out jumped Dougie Lampkin to take victory in the second downhill mountain bike race after the first run was declared a dead heat.
Ex multi-British trials champion, Steve Saunders, confirmed his continued popularity with the fans as he received huge applause both as he taught a group of local young trials riders and then gave Steve Colley a good run for his money in the aptly-named ‘Steve vs Steve’ competition.
Colley claimed the victory, but it was the spirit of the battle that was the real winner, which was the case throughout the weekend.
Speaking about their fifth British Trial Grand Prix, and perhaps their most successful GP to date, event organiser and promoter, Jake Miller, from L+M Events, stated: “In truth, the weekend could not have gone better for us.
“The weather was relatively kind and allowed us to deliver two great days of entertainment.
“Saturday’s schedule went down great with the fans and riders and then Sunday’s competition was amazing with all three classes being so closely fought and Raga taking the win in the final section of the trial.
“Martin and Harry Lampkin and their team must be congratulated on creating such a great course.
“We would like to thank everyone who made the trip up to Fort William to support the event, and we are delighted that we sent them all home with a big smile on their faces.
“Obviously, to deliver an event of this scale, it takes many different elements, and without the support of our funding partners, sponsors, the fans and the great team of workers that we are so lucky to have, it simply would not be possible.
“Next year’s event has got a hard act to follow.”
Commenting on the 2011 UK World Trial, Paul Bush OBE, chief operating officer at EventScotland, said: “This was the second year that EventScotland have supported the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship and it proves to have been another success for the organisers and attracted many people to Fort William to enjoy the weekend of high-paced action.
“Once again, the Highland region has shown it is the perfect stage for motorsport events and we look forward to welcoming them back to Fort William in 2012.”
ACU chair, Brian Higgins, remarked: “Having not been to a World Championship Trial for a few years, I was amazed how the top riders have moved up another gear. The 15 sections at Nevis Bank were absolutely spot-on to exert the maximum potential from the riders.
“However, the highlight for me was the whole presentation by L+M Events, who organised the whole weekend with a very professional approach, which expanded to outside of the trial itself. I would encourage everyone who has an interest in trials to attend in the future.”
For further information please visit www.ukworldtrial.com.
Ends
Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert, Podge Publicity – T: 07968 699636 / E: paddy@podge.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
The UK leg of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship
The UK leg of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, the 36th edition of the biggest, the most important and the best motorcycle trial competition series on the international calendar, will be staged at The Nevis Range, Fort William, Lochaber – the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’ – on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July 2011
As a major focus for both country and rider, 50 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 of eight Grand Prix events; the potential for titles to be both won and lost high on the agenda.
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/
The 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Fort William
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 natural sections plotted by Martin Lampkin provided a unique challenge for the competitors and brought out some superb riding that was warmly appreciated by the assembled crowd who enjoyed the atmosphere of this incredible location.
The UK’s only mountain gondola allowed the fans easy access to all parts of the course and provided them with unrivalled views of Lochaber and the Scottish Highlands
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.
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.
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: 07968699636
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.ukworldtrial.com
