mich lin

Much better job citytrials than the rest of the yanks but you have a ways to go to match Mario in the trophy girl picture world championship taker title. That's a mouthfull, maybe the FIM could change the name of the championship?

Not the world championship Citytrials, Jr world championship, big differnce! Sorry, not trying to be negative, just realistic. His results do show that the 125cc, then Jr world title and then the World Wide ONE is a logical progression that we Americans can leverage into another US world title. The good news is we now have a progression and the stepping stones we have lacked for years for US riders. All that's left to work out is how do we get the NATC to get off their dime and provide a progression for our youngsters into the 125cc world title? That progression would be a 125cc national title.

Matt, even though I agree with you in priciple that the sections need to be much harder like they where in the 1970s nationals. Which were much closer to world championship sections of the day compared to todays nationals. That may not be possible. Here's why! When I made my deal with the NATC chairman to provide a solution to our sagging riding levels. I promised not to destory the sportsmen competition we have developed and is enjoyed so much by a large number of clubmen riders. They are also the majority of income for the NATC and the importers. That's why I adopted the El Trial De Espana foremat of easier technical sections to start with. Then a finals with world class sections for the best 5 top "pro" class riders and best 5 125cc riders using easier gates for the 125s. Just like we see in current world competition. This comprimise gives the best of both worlds without cheating anybody, pro, 125 or sportsmen. Someday we can hope that the 125 and Pro class become so large again we can have differnt days competition or complete differnt series for the sportsmen and the 125cc and pro riders. That is if entries can be increased with better service of the entries as a whole.

True Laia is getting a paycheck, the best bike in the world and a professional minder but she has earned it. Winning the world championship is not easy, Only one person of each gender per year has that honor! If anyone else does it, they also will recieve a paycheck, a works bike and a professional minder. That's called the fruits of victory and your labors! If her results were the same as the two US riders you mentioned, she would not have those benifits you mentioned. If their results were as good as hers, they also would have those benifits. The game is the same for everyone!

Your right Ringo, this guy and his dad deserve some real credit. They have worked really hard. Congratulations team Webb!

Andy, that's classic!

Repeditive for sure! I offered a workable compromise last year to the NATC, they flushed the proposal that would have helped turn around the slide in US riding levels. Maybe this year they will reconsider?

Guys, we Crossed this bridge and had a solid solution to that issue but it was flushed by the NATC. Remember? The foremat layed out before the NATC last meeting that it rejected had harder sections, in the finals. More competition, with a bigger top class by combining Pro and Expert. Added more technical sections in the preliminary event, then hammered the best 5 on world class sections. It was a win/win! Sadly the NATC can't seem to think of the rest of the trials fans, only there own narrow interests. It also addressed the problem of our youth not being on 125cc bikes like the rest of the world. Plus gave a solution to the growing problem of our lady riders falling farther and farther the European and Japanese girls. Maybe now after the TCC days of disaster, they will reconsider?

Your right, if you don't show up you can't score! I would have rode if they would have allowed it. So would have Ringo! Remember last year, 14th and 15th place points were grabbed by two NATC riders filling those last two places. This year if the NATC had put US riders on the world championship line, 5 NATC riders would have scored points. It's a sad day when the US champion has never scored a single world championship point in his whole career!

I was wondering, are the Jr world championship riders restricted to 250cc machines?

Wayne, I got in trouble for saying the very same thing you just said. That was after watching my first TDN in 98. Glad to see the US fans are finally coming around to the fact that our riders are not as good as some people thought they were. Maybe now somebody will decide to do something?

Neither do I, don't mandate but offer the oppertunity to compete for a US title on the same bikes as the rest of the world's youngsters ride.

What I'd suggest is you guys lisen to the Europeans! They are giving you guys some sound advice here. Everytime I tried to tell you guys that we didn't know everything, I was shot down.

Alan, when the US riders already know everything and have all the support they think they need. Of course they don't need my help. As for being on top the world podium anytime soon with team Stuntrev! I doubt it! We have done OK for a private team from a 3rd world trials country. OUR RESULTS * The first US trials team to score FIM world championship points since Ryan Young in the middle 1980s @ Spain 2000 15th in the world (Best American) * The oldest rider ever to score FIM world championship points @ Spain 2000 * 2 youth national titles * 2004 AHRMA national vintage championship * Two time US Trials De Nations team * US women's open winner * Junior class winner, European championship San Marino 2004 * 8th overall Women's international trial Italy 1998 (Unoffical world championship) Best American * 9th overall Women's international trial Italy 1999 (Unoffical world championship) Best American Not amazing results but worth the effort! Will we continue international trials? I don't know!

Ron, you read my mind! For a long time I've know that practicing the wrong stuff will only harden your bad habits! That's why I've been so unexcited and unsupportive about training camps amoung ourselves. They simply are not the end all and be all as the answer to US rider level improvement. A few strong days with Wigg and the other Euros, will do more than years of practicing bad habits over and over again amoung ourselves. Glad you have you on board the American riding revolution!

Brian, I can't ride worth a hoot anymore since shattering my let in 99! I did win the AHRMA national title in 2004 and riding modern trials on my vintage Bultaco was part of my trianing for that title. I do believe that I could win on an Advanced class level anywhere in the USA on my vintage 77 Bultaco. Sadly the bike cannot be replaced and riding advanced class sections in SoCal takes its toll on equipment, it's rocky and cobby here. After a few trials the old Bultaco would be scrap metal competing at that level here, like most modern bikes are as well. I did plan a comeback to US sportsmen competion this year. My plan was simple, ride and train for the US Pro championship in 2005. That would prepare me for the 55 year old sportsmen class in 2006, which I believe I could have won! Those plans were dashed however, so I lost interest in NATC trials altogether after that. My overall US Pro class standings for 2005 would have been national #7 if I would have been allowed to continue to ride the championship. The powers that be decided that they didn't want me contesting the US Pro title. So now I simply spectate and comment from the sidelines. I leave the riding to you guys. Go get em, tiger!

Melt down or not, I feel that Laia is perhaps the greatest lady trials rider of all time. She's fantastic and is under a huge amount of pressure! It's VERY clear no other lady is even close right now. Surely you all agree after seeing her dipatch most of the US pro class. Why is she so uptight? Simple, she has hit one of those horrible sticking points in her riding level, like we all hit. You know, where you train and train and get no better! I'm sure you can all relate to that frustration. It's madding at any riding level! I'm one of her biggest fans, meltdown or not! Looking at her riding pictures, I can see the frustration and fear on her face. The facts are the closer to the top you get the tougher it is to improve and close the gap on the competiton. We must also remember that Cabby stole her long time minder, which leaves her with someone new at the worst possible time in her career. If I was her coach, which I'am not, I'd work on her mental conditioning. Set new attainable goals and bring some fun back into her riding. Of course there are some other things that would help her but I'm not going to take the time to get that involved in training concepts right now. Let me just close in saying, she's a great lady and a wonderful rider. Hey, I also don't fault her for being able to train! Where there is a will there is always a way. Don't try that excuse on me, an old soldier! It won't fly with me. Results, not excuses!

Alan, yes scores do matter! Could I help lower US scores? Maybe.

Alan, simple questions, how many world rounds have you been to? How many TDNs have you been to? How many world championship trials have you ridden? How many world championship points have you scored? Just for the record, not being confrontive. I didn't do anything at this event! Sorry I didn't realize that disqualifies me from having any observations. I'll go away now after this post and stop commenting to anyone on any footballs games I didn't personally attend either. I didn't realize you had to personally have gone to or worked a game or trial to be a fan and have an opinion. My mistake, thanks for clearning that point up Alan! I didn't help any of the US riders at the world round or the organizers! Hey, none of them would want my help anyway. What do I know about this sport? They are the current experts, not me! The event was a huge success without me! Wasn't I better off at my job and taking care of my family? I think so! Besides I had no interest in the world round without US riders in contention on any level "except Cody Webb" who should be commended for his 4th place finish. Maybe someday, we will have other US riders in the hunt but how and when? I'll leave the US team and the future of American success in the steady hands of the people like you Alan, working in the trenches. You guys have the answers and have made it very clear you don't like my approach to anything anyway. Not to mention I've been told to but out. What could an old guy like me bring to the table that might help todays youngsters? Nothing of course! Simply, I don't volenteer to help anymore, because nobody wants it. I've offered! Besides, guys like you are more current than I and are right in there already! It seems foolish to me to spend my time and money on a program that I disagree with. Taking that factor into consideration, do you think it's fair to even ask me why I didn't come or work at the event at my own expense? I will take this one pleasure. The US pro class was hard pressed by Sanz and US youngsters would be better off on the same bikes as the rest of the world. It's fun to say" I told you so!" I'll wait a short while, then I'll be able to do it again sometime soon somewhere. My guess will be the US TDN team dropping back to the B class at the TDN. I hope I'm proved wrong!

Of course I agree with you Dman! I've been on both sides, observer and Pro rider! I've had some really bads calls at critical times even in National and World Championship competition that have had long term effects. So beleive me I understand the emotions she faced. I don't beleive I've thrown a tantrum in a section, at least I hope not. If I did, I've got a mental block about it. There is no excuse for that by American standards for the sport. If I have, please accept my opology right here and now. Remember however like I mentioned before the world round. European riders will do just about anything to shave points. Even argue with officals. That's why I'm a firm believer in professional observers for the world championship, that travel with the rounds. I also remember City Trials claiming that Sanz was points shaving during the last US world round. If I remember correctly, he got a lot of heat for it. Maybe now Citytrials has been vindicated a little. Groucy or not, Sanz rode well and showed a lot of US brand name pro riders the way around the course.

Congrats on your BIG first win! Glad to see Dougie did so well also.

I agree with Dabster and Alan, amazingly! Riding a 125 is only important because that's what the rest of the world rides, if you ride with the best, you get better is my position. It's also hard to discount Dabsters progression of power argument. I believe that Smage and Webb have sold themselves out by moving up to bigger bikes too soon. To clarify, I've also never, ever been for "forcing" young riders on a 125cc machine only. Let them do what they please. I've only proposed a vehicle in US competition to entice youngsters to remain on the bikes the rest of the world is on. That vehicle is a 125cc national title. As it is now in the USA, a rider is at a huge disadvantage if they remain on the 125cc bike. Because the rest of his US peers are on big bikes that are easier to ride, especally at high altitude events.

Ha, I was waiting for that! Scores don't lie. Results not excuses! I've heard all the ride with ourselves, do it our NATC way or the hi-way arguments plastered here before. Claiming that will put us in the world championship hunt agian. Go ahead, keep doing the same things over and over agian year after year. See how far that gets our riders. Geez, that will work! Like was said so plainly by a man who was there in the section. Our riders rode like sheeple, except the guy who won, he rode with the world round riders. That's what it takes, get out with the world round riders. I decided not to come when our Pro riders were put on the Jr championship line. I knew it would be interesting however, our Pros having to beat Laia Sanz! Which a lot failed to do. Which is amazing, don't you think?

Having ridden all over the world, I believe that US observers are the fairest and best on the world championship series. I'd put may fate in their hands before any other group of observers anywhere in the world. To bad about roosting the observers! I believe the card was justified in that case! In her defence she just had a tough week in Scotland, having a head on collision with a car on the second to the last day. Which put her out and caused her severe injury. As far as I know the US round was her first event back, she must be still recovering from her horrible crash. The other factor with female athletes that people forget is their hormone cycles! Often thier worst time is right at the biggest events, something male athletes don't have to deal with. Taking these factors into consideration, I'd give her a lot of leadway. You have to admit, she rode well in the USA, finishing 4th and 5th in the US Pro class. Maybe even two 4th places if she had not been carded? She also beat some top name US male Pro riders. That's amazing!

Brian R Are you sure? I see no evidence that anyone wants to do what it takes to make a differnce.