EnduroTrial Info
Here is information on the EnduroTrial which will be held at the Trials Training Center on October 16-17, 2010. This is an event that you don't want to miss!
Trial des Nations Teams Announced
With selections made and the members thick in competition for the 2010 AMA Racing/NATC Observed Trials National Championship Series, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that AMA Team USA is ready to take on the world at the 2010 Trial des Nations (TdN) in Myslenice, Poland, on Sept. 11-12.
"Trials is one of the world's premier competitive motorcycle disciplines, with a history and heritage that go back generations," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "The Trial des Nations is a major part of the AMA's international racing effort, and it is an honor to compete at this event. We're confident our riders will hold their own and make America proud at this world-class meet."
The 2010 men's team -- riding the International class this year -- will feature Pat Smage, Cody Webb and Keith Wineland. All veterans, these riders were part of the lineup that represented the United States in Italy in 2009 and collected AMA Team USA's best-ever fifth-place finish in the world championship event.
The Women's Team, which finished eighth in the Women's division last year, welcomes back the talents of Sarah Duke and Caroline Allen.
Smage, from Elkhorn, Wis., is a four-time AMA/NATC National Trials Champion and is tied for the points lead with Webb for the 2010 title. He will be returning for his fourth trip to the TdN.
"This year should be good," said Smage, who will ride a Sherco. "I'm glad I'm on the team this year. We should have a legitimate shot at getting a podium and potentially a shot at the win. I rode in Poland in 2007, riding the 125 line, so this should be a little tougher this year. I've had a lot more practice since then and feel a more confident."
The 19-year-old Smage is a veteran at international competition. In addition to the TdN, he has competed in various world rounds since 2007.
"I have a couple wins in the 125 class and one in the junior class," Smage said. "It's a different game over there. It's more mental than here. There are so many good riders that it's hard to go in and expect to excel. They have different techniques about how they go about their day, how they ride each section and how much time they take. Here, we could spend an hour in the first section, waiting for someone to go first. There, they go right away and they keep moving. Other riders try to get in front of you. There are bottlenecks. The pace is a lot quicker."
Webb, from Watsonville, Calif., will ride a Gas Gas in Italy. Wineland is from Fountain, Colo. He is third in the national points chase and will ride a Gas Gas at the TdN.
On the Women's Team, Duke, from Colorado Springs, Colo., is returning for her seventh TdN, and Allen, from Norton, Mass., will make her fourth trip to the event. Both will ride Gas Gas bikes at the TdN.
The sport of trials involves riders navigating their motorcycles over seemingly impossible terrain. The Trial des Nations began in Europe in 1983 as a way to bring the best trials riders from each country together to compete as teams, and it has evolved into one of the most anticipated trials events of the year. Each competing country fields two teams: a men's team consisting of four riders and a women's team consisting of three riders.
For more information on Team USA for the 2010 Trial des Nations team, visit USATdN.org.
Mullins Takes Wyoming Enduro
Charlie Mullins won the Wyoming round of the series. (Photo by Kenneth King)
Charles Mullins continues his domination of the Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Series with a win at the seventh round of the series, the Inyan Kara Enduro. The Obermeyer/AM Pro/FMF Yamaha-backed Mullins won four of the six checks en route to the win.
“I had a good race today, I don't think I ever fell,” said Mullins. “My Bike ran good and I knew I had a lead going into the final section. I just tried to ride smart and not blow it.”
In the runner up spot was Cory Buttrick, the FMF/KTM rider setting the fastest time in the first and last sections, but ultimately finished a bit over a minute behind Mullins.
“I rode good, and I know I was fast in a couple of sections, I just need to work on the sections in between. said Buttrick.
Finishing out the podium was Husaberg's Mike Lafferty. The eight-time national champ was in the hunt most of the day but couldn't quite put it all together.
“I felt more comfortable on the bike today than I have all year,” admitted Lafferty. “Mullins and Buttrick just have a bit faster pace.”
Defending Series Champ Russell Bobbitt finished fourth, despite still suffering the effects of a separated shoulder. Bobbitt battled most of the day with Lafferty and would finish 25 seconds from the New Jersey rider. Rounding out the top five was Husvarna's Glenn Kearney.
Results
- Charles Mullins 32:25
- Corey Buttrick 33:20
- Mike Lafferty 34:00
- Russell Bobbitt
- Glenn Kearney
Webb and Smage Trade Wins in Rhode Island
Patrick Smage won by a single dab on Sunday.
Cody Webb and Patrick Smage remain tied atop the championship points standings in the AMA National Trials Series after trading wins at rounds three and four of the series in Exeter, Rhode Island.
Just as he had done at the opener in Oklahoma, Webb struck first, taking a decisive win over Smage on the slippery rock outcroppings of Stepping Stone Ranch during Saturday’s round. The two riders riders – Webb on the Gas Gas Race model and Smage on a modified 300cc Sherco – remained tied through the first six sections of the opening lap, but Webb was able to break away at section seven after Smage scored a surprising five when he was not able to make a steep climb. Webb countered with a two on the section and from that point on the Californian was in the drivers seat. Webb went on to finish the first lap with a score of 7 while Smage finished with four points more.
“Pat and I were both clean through the sixth section and I was starting the think it was going to be tight,” said Webb. “But in section seven Pat had kind of an unfortunate five and nobody was expecting that. So I was thinking that was some weight off my shoulders. But then I went in there and I gave it way too much throttle and almost looped out. I saved it, although it was pretty out of control, and I ended up getting a two out of it, so that gave me a bit of a cushion over Pat for the rest of the loop.”
Cody Webb took the win on Saturday.
Both Webb and Smage fived the following section – number 8, which ended up being one of the toughest of the trial.
On the second lap, Webb increased his lead, dropping three points to Smage’s seven, after taking a one on section eight, and then finishing up with two other one-point rides.
In section 10, Webb spun his rear wheel and was lucky to get out with a two, which were all the points he took for his final lap.
Webb ended up taking Saturday’s win by 13 points over Smage, 12 points to 25, while Webb’s Gas Gas USA teammate Keith Wineland finished third with 71 points.
“I was really satisfied with my ride, the bike was working really well and I felt good on this stuff,” said Webb. “I had no idea how well Pat was doing, because I was riding ahead of him. I think he got a little frustrated when he had that five on the first lap, that was unexpected and he fell off the pace right away. Sometimes when you are playing catch-up you make mistakes you normally wouldn’t make.”
For all intents and purposes, section seven on the first lap cost Smage the win.
“In number seven, I think I kind of rushed it a little bit,” said Smage. “I was planning on using third gear but for some reason I forgot and right when I got ready to go I remembered I was in second and that kind of messed me up for the double step.”
“Unfortunately, I just had too many fives today,” added Smage. “Cody was riding awesome, he gets better every time I see him and I was going to be tough to beat him no matter what, but I didn’t help myself with that five in seven. Once you make the first mistake it’s hard not to make the next ones.”
On Sunday, Smage got off to a bad start when he fived the opening section, giving Webb another opening. Webb cleaned the section and went on to finish the first lap with a three-point advantage over Smage – Webb completing the lap with just three marks lost, while Smage dropped six.
On lap two, Smage got back in the groove and needed only a single dab to complete the 12-section course. Webb on the other hand, dropped a three in the mud bog at section 10 and added one other dab in section 11 for a total of four.
After two laps Webb and Smage were tied with seven points each and the two riders started the final lap in the rain, which in Rhode Island, translates into slippery conditions ahead! Both riders cleaned the first seven sections, however, Webb encountered trouble in the difficult eighth, spinning out on a slick rock and taking a three. Another dab in section 11 gave Webb four points for the lap and 11 for the day. Smage countered with three single dabs and a total of 10 for the win.
“I just misjudged how muddy that first section was and that three put me in a hole again,” said Smage. “I was able to shake it off and just hope that there were enough tough sections that I could overcome it. I just followed Cody and watched his lines. He was riding awesome and it took everything I had to beat him but I was able to do it.”
Wineland again finish third, with Commo once again finishing fourth.
Results:
Saturday
1. Cody Webb 12
2. Patrick Smage 25
3. Keith Wineland 71
4. Ron Commo III 121
5. Karl Davis Jr. 155
6. Andrew Oldar 161
Sunday
1. Patrick Smage 10
2. Cody Webb 11
3. Keith Wineland 67
4. Ron Commo III 131
5. Karl Davis Jr. 139
6. Andrew Oldar 155
Mullins Wins Muddy Missouri Enduro
Charlie Mullins claimed his third-straight win in the Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Series, and in the process took control of the series points lead with a dominating performance at the wet and challenging Leadbelt National Enduro, near Park Hills, Missouri.
Mullins’ championship hopes were in doubt after he DNFed the Florida round of the series back in March, but the Obermeyer/Am Pro/FMF Yamaha rider has been unbeatable since then and now holds an 11-point lead over factory Husaberg rider Michael Lafferty with four rounds remaining on the schedule.
Defending champ Russell Bobbitt held a slim four-point lead coming into the Missouri round, however, the FMF/KTM rider was off the pace after separating his shoulder the week before, and struggled to finish ninth in the muddy, rock-laden event.
Riding strong from the start, Mullins won four of the six tests outright, and then tied FMF/KTM’s Cory Buttick for the fastest time in one other. In all, Mullins finished the 65-mile event almost a minute faster than Buttrick, who won the fourth test and ended the day in second overall.
Third place went to Husaberg rider Nick Fahringer, while Husqvarna’s Glenn Kearney finished fourth, just three seconds behind Fahringer.
“The track held up well and I just tried to ride to the best of my abilities and things turned out well,” said Mullins. “I did what I wanted to do, and that was win and get in the points lead. This event had a little bit of everything and it was a fun event – the club did a great job.”
Lafferty ran in third position for most of the race, but a poor showing in the final test dropped him behind Faringer and Kearney.
“I passed Bobbitt before the waterfall in the sixth test and then I fell off a ravine, and my legs started to cramp when I tried to get going again,” said Lafferty. “After that I just lost it.”
Lafferty held on to finish fifth, ahead of Monster Energy/JG Off-road’s Jimmy Jarrett and KTM riders Andrew Long and Brad Bakken.
A steady rain on Saturday and then off and on rains during the event on Sunday made the Missouri rocks quite slippery, but as usual, the Missouri Mudders were prepared for the worst and pulled off an excellent event.
After six rounds, Mullins holds the series points lead with Charlie Mullins 138 points, with Lafferty sitting in second with 127. Bobbitt holds third at 124 points, while Buttrick (123) and Fahringer (107) round out the top five.
O/A:
1. Charlie Mullins (Yam)
2. Cory Buttrick (KTM)
3. Nick Fahringer (Hsb)
4. Glenn Kearney (Hsq)
5. Michael Lafferty (Hsb)
6. Jimmy Jarrett (Kaw)
7. Andrew Delong (KTM)
8. Brad Bakken (KTM)
9. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
10. Josh Gaitten (KTM)
Standings:
1. Charlie Mullins (138/4 wins)
2. Michael Lafferty (127/1 win)
3. Russell Bobbitt (124)
4. Cory Buttrick (123/1 win)
5. Nick Fahringer (107)
6. Glenn Kearney (93)
7. Brad Bakken (75)
8. Cole Kirkpatrick (71)
9. Andrew Delong (66)
10. Josh Gaitten (57)
ShanBlog #3, Stardate April 21, 2010
My schedule has me in Tennessee this week. I covered the national enduro in West Point, TN, this past weekend and this coming weekend there’s a GNCC at Loretta Lynn’s. Yep, I plan on saying hi to the Queen of Country Music. Anyway, today I’m camped in the David Crockett National Forest to save a little money. Just me and my tent and a few DVDs. If you saw the movie 2012 and you remember the Woody Harrelson character then you know how I look right about now. I plan on just sitting in a lawn chair and letting the hair grow between my toes for the next two days. Anyway, back to the national enduro. Charlie Mullins is really haulin’ the mail right now and it has all the other guys wondering what they need to do to pick up the pace. Russell Bobbitt and Michael Lafferty both told me that they plan on spending time on a motocross track before the Missouri round to work on their speed.
In Tennessee, Mullins was wearing gear that was not predominately blue. Like Chad Reed, the Yamaha rider is contractually obligated to wear predominately blue riding gear, however, his contract also states that when he finishes on the podium he has the option to wear any color of his choosing at the next race. And since he won the national enduro in Texas last month, Mullins showed up in Tennessee in black and white (with blue trim). It was a nice look for him.
At that same enduro this past weekend, Glenn Kearney went down hard in one of the tests, and it looked like he might have injured his shoulder or neck. However, a call to the Husqvarna rider on Tuesday revealed that Glenn had visited his doctor and all was fine. “I’m sore and stiff, but I’m okay, so I’m just going to stay off the bike the rest of the week and hopefully I will be ready for the GNCC on Sunday,” Kearney told me. According to Kearney, his doctor told him that he had just pulled some ligaments in his shoulder and he should be fine with a little rest.
Just two weeks until the national trials opener in Oklahoma and defending series champ Patrick Smage is in Europe right now contesting the world rounds. At the opener in Spain, Patrick finished sixth in the Youth division, which is for riders over the age of 18, who are not riding the “World” division. Patrick spent Monday and Tuesday riding with Sherco factory rider Albert Cabestany and today (Wednesday) they are heading to Portugal for the round this weekend. Look for Pat to be on his game in Oklahoma, however, don’t overlook Gas Gas riders Cody Webb and Keith Wineland, who locked horns at this year’s El Trial de Espana. Wineland ended up winning that one in a ride-off (look for a full report in the May issue of T&E News).
That’s all for now from the Davey Crockett National Forest… See ya in Oklahoma.
ShanBlog #2, Stardate April 7, 2010
Just saw the latest cover of Cycle News and it was one of my shots of Charlie Mullins from the Texas round... you Cycle News guys - you knuckleheads. I love ya'
-Shan Moore
ShanBlog #1 Stardate April 6, 2010
Welcome to the first entry of my T&E News news blog... I want to start off by apologizing for taking so long to get it going. First of all I need to tell you a bit about myself. My wife, Cheryl, and I publish Trials & Enduro News from our home in Oklahoma, and we do it for fun - sort of a part-time job. To keep the wheels turning, I have worked full-time for Cycle News for the past five or six years, and this year I went to work for Racer Productions doing PR and mag stories for GNCC, so you are likely to see my name in a lot of places. Doesn't mean I'm good at what I do, just persistent. Because of my background with CN, I have always been reluctant to do a blog because that kind of writing was what I would call off the cuff... something that I'm not good at. I was worried I was too "up-tight" to do a blog, and too worried about making mistakes or saying the wrong thing. Well, I've been reading a lot of blogs lately, and I've decided no one else worries about those things so why should I. Also, I have been so tied up with all the events I've been covering lately (I'm on the road every weekend covering something... as a freelancer, if you're not on the road covering something, then your not making money) that I have been hard pressed to find the time. However, I am starting to get a handle on the workload, in addition to getting the hang of putting together 40-something pages of T&E News, so I plan of giving you "off the cuff" updates from all the events I go from here on out.
Last weekend I was in Kalgary, Texas for the fourth round of the Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Series, and I must say it was a pretty cool event. The wind on Saturday gusted to 50 mph, which was kind of scary at times, but things settled down on Sunday and the variety of terrain (desert, sand washes, deep berms, mud, ravines, rocks, some kind of skinny tree-thingys) made for a great change of pace from the usual eastern enduro. I asked a few of the pros what they thought about going out west for a few rounds and they all gave positive response... but you will have to read the next issue to learn who said what! Anyway, Charlie Mullins is really on the gas right now, which is kind of cool because he is pretty much riding for a paycheck right now. With the economy like it is, Hotrod is not getting a salary this year and he is living off of contingency money and purse money right now. So I think he is pretty hungry. But that's not taking away from all the other guys out there who are also getting less than what they were getting last year. There are a lot of super-talented riders on the National Enduro circuit and they are all just as professional as any of the guys I regularly see when I cover the Supercross series.
I am excited that the AMA National Trials series is getting ready to kick off on May 1-2 in my home state of Oklahoma. Any of you enduro guys who have never seen a national trials event should try to get out to see one, especially a national. It's amazing what these guys can do on two wheels, and our european counterparts like Taddy Blazusiak and David Knight already know the value of cross-training on trials bikes. Okay, that's enough blather for now. Hope I didn't make too many mistakes or say too many dumb things (hope my kids aren't reading this). I will always try to find one single shot that I feel sums up an event and post it with my blogs (of course, I will also be posting more news, as well). And the one I have above of Glenn Kearney surveying a section of the Texas enduro loop as the sun rises on the west Texas landscape kind of did it for me this time.
I'll post again soon,
Shan Moore
Eric Storz Signs with Gas Gas
(l to r) Eric Storz, Neil Storz and Cody Webb pose with the new Gas Gas.
Eric be supported by Gas Gas USA and Lewisport USA at all the National events. Neil Storz will soon be riding a new 280 Gas Gas PRO and will continue to be Eric’s minder at all National rounds. Eric will also be receiving local support from Bill Merritt with SoCal Lewisport.
Eric has been recovering well since his Trials bicycle accident in November and has been practicing with Cody Webb, also recently signed with Gas Gas USA.
Even though Eric is currently nursing a broken finger his motivation to ride and compete in Trials is greater than ever and the recent practice sessions on the new 2010 280 PRO have contributed to the increase in his enthusiasm.
The entire Storz family, Steve, Joanie, Neil and Eric are excited about the upcoming season and are looking forward to a successful relationship with Gas Gas USA and LewisportUSA.
Product Showcase: Vee Rubber Tires
Vee Rubber is in the process of importing tires for Trials, Enduro and ATV applications into the U.S. We had the opportunity to see the Trials tire up close at the recent Octobertest Two-day Trials in Oklahoma. Check out the video below:
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