CINGLES THREE DAY
The idea of the ‘Tres Dies Dels Cingles’ was that it should be the last big event of the season. Over time the event acquired a grand notoriety; it welcomed the best riders in the world and became one of the must-do events on the calendar. The success was due to amateur riders being able to compete alongside the best, as well as to the innovative approach of this trials club. We look back at a proud event which was initiated by a band of young, enthusiastic organisers.
Ever since the very first run of the event, the ‘Cingles’ marked the end of the trials season for the international riders. During the 1970s, and the years of total domination by Spanish brands Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa, the Cingles was the ideal event to present the new models for the following year while it also allowed the Sunday rider to compete next to the factory riders, who were generally less stressed as the world championship season was over.
The course was set out in such a way that the amateurs could ride the same loop and sections with the top riders, just like the Scottish Six Days Trial – but with a better climate that is dryer and more sunny than the Scottish highlands and only three days of riding!
The origin of the event dates back to 1971, when a group of young enthusiasts from the small villages of Sant Feliu de Codines and Gallifa, located around 50km north of Barcelona, decided to create the Moto Club Cingles de Berti, and they were already dreaming of hosting a top-level event. The aim was clear: organise an event like the Scottish Six Days Trial, but ‘Spanish style’ that would become one of the great gatherings in the world of trials.
The young, enthusiastic founders, brought together by their first president Ildefons Vilanova, commenced their work with enthusiasm and soon the club was known for its excellent organisation skills. The baptism of fire for the young team was the organisation of the 1st trial of Gallifa on the 14 March 1971. The victory went to Leopoldo Mila, son of the designer of the Montesa Cota and Impala.
The press were impressed by the organisation, as well as the sections and the route chosen. The information provided to spectators was also extremely good, with detailed instructions on how to get to the different groups of sections and the highquality programme quickly became a tradition of the club.