THE ISLE OF MAN WELCOMES THE TRIAL DES NATIONS
 The
small yet World famous motorcycling island of the Isle of
Man is set to welcome the Trial Des Nations (TDN) event this
coming weekend, as countries from around the globe descend
to do battle in this great team competition. Home of the incredible
TT races for the last century, the stunning island off the
west coast of the UK mainland is no stranger to staging World-class
events, and last hosted the TDN back in 1997.
No less than thirty teams, representing nineteen different
nations from as far a field, as America and Japan will arrive
in the capital town of Douglas later this week to compete
for three separate titles. Saturday will see the female competitors
take to a compact course, this will start from the famous
TT grandstand before working its way around the outskirts
of the host town and the neighbouring dwelling of Onchan.
The three-rider team from Great Britain are the defending
champions in the Women’s category, with the home squad
having snatched a dramatic victory from the Spanish girls
in France last year. The winning trio of Donna Fox, Maria
Conway and Becky Cook will be hoping for a repeat result on
home soil, but will no doubt have to fight off a strong challenge
from Spain, Germany and France if they are to successfully
retain their title.
Sunday morning will see the men take centre stage, with nine
teams competing in the World Championship class for the main
prize and ten teams in the International Trophy class fighting
it out for the supporting award. Following a similar route
to the women, the men will complete two laps of eighteen sections
around the coastal venue.
Spain will once again start as clear favourites in the top
category, with all four of their riders being ranked the World’s
top six. The line up of Toni Bou, Adam Raga, Albert Cabestany
and Jeroni Fajardo is an awesome prospect for any rival team,
but despite their predicted superiority, they will not under
estimate the threat of the British squad who were victorious
on the same island a decade ago.
Dougie Lampkin, James Dabill, Graham Jarvis and Michael Brown
(Shaun Morris is out following a recent injury to his eye)
will have to be at their very best to put Spain under pressure,
and to keep the Japanese team at bay. Lampkin, now a resident
of the Isle of Man, will be hoping his local knowledge and
some great home support may just give the Brits that all important
edge.
Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands will be the main three
contenders for the International Trophy, with 2006 winners
Ireland having now been promoted to the top class following
their victory twelve months ago.
In addition to staging two days of Trial Des Nations action,
Douglas will also host the final round of the 2007 Women’s
Trial World Championship on Friday 28th September. This will
comprise of two laps of fifteen sections in the same area.
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