Trialsblog.com

Who’s going where?

Posted by Dan on Fri / Sep / 2007 to Opinion

So with the 2007 world championships over and done with there’s little left of the 2007 trials season for the top professionals, with the exception of the Spanish Championship. So with this is mind it won’t be long before we start to hear shouts and rumours emerging from various corners of the world as to which riders will move to which team.

I think the obvious one that is on most people’s minds would have to be Dougie Lampkin. With his contract at Montesa due to run out, where next for the legendary trials rider? I wouldn’t mind seeing him back on the Beta, flying the flag for their 4-stroke model. If Dougie does indeed leave (although theres nothing saying he won’t sign another contract with them but I have noticed he isn’t in ANY of the new team photos promoting next years bike) who would be the man to fill his boots? It would take a brave rider to try the impossible task of replacing a trials legend. I could see having all top 3 riders in the world at your team being an ideal for Montesa but personally can’t see how they would manage if Raga was to come in due to the rivalry between him and Bou for the championship. Although saying that Dougie and Fuji managed for a while didn’t they? They were even good friends.

Then of course we have the new Xispa coming to town. Who’s going to ride that? I wouldn’t mind betting someone like Adam Raga or Jeroni Fajardo could jump on board the latest bike to hit the market but thats just a wild guess and really just something I would quite like to see. I don’t know how long any of the riders contracts are at their current teams, so this could be and probably is, utter dribble but it’s a bit of fun.

So what about the likes of James Dabill? Admit-ably he’s already at one of the biggest teams in the world championship paddock and the only real way up from there would, dare I say be to the top dog Repsol Montesa-HRC team? I would have thought he would be attracting a lot of attention over the summer from various teams as he looks to break into the top 5 or 6 next year. once again I must say though that I don’t know the length of contract signed with his current team.

Feel free to share any thoughts on what riders you could see moving. I can see it being an interesting build up to the start of the World Indoor Trials Championship.

About the author

Dan is a Cornwall based freelance web designer, who also has an unhealthy obsession with motorcycle trials. Dan can often be found out practicing and riding competitions all over the South West as well as running his bike auctions website, E-Bikes.