Billy Green
We can all agree that the Covid-19 pandemic has been very challenging in all areas of life. In a shortened, disrupted and condensed 2020 FIM Trial World Championship season, it affected the teams and riders in many ways. The season started in September and was over by the second week in October. If you were on form for those few weeks, you were fine; if not it proved very difficult. The pressure to perform to your very best was intense as the proceedings changed, with no qualifying, and the events became two points-scoring days. After a successful youth career and a move into the FIM Trial World Championship in the 125 class in 2017, Billy Green won the Trial125 title in 2018 on the Beta. This result was rewarded with a move into the Trial2 class as part of the satellite RG Trials Team on the four-stroke Montesa Cota 4RT on a two-year contract. As the team closed at the end of 2020, Billy had moved back to two-stroke power and the Scorpa factory team on a one-year deal for 2021. Our focus in this magazine is on the ‘Orange Outlook’ as Billy Green looks for a more positive 2021.
The future’s bright, the future’s orange
If I hear that one more time! Yes, I am very excited about the opportunity I have been given by Scorpa, which, as we all know, is an orange machine. I had other options for 2021, but nothing was as secure as what Scorpa could offer me. I will ride in the Trial2 class on factory-supported machines and, in the UK, Nigel and June Birkett will support me as the official importers of Scorpa.
I spoke with Nigel quite a lot before I decided to move to the two-stroke; he was very supportive, his reputation is second to none — as is his word. He was very honest and open with me, explaining what I need to do to achieve the results I am looking at — not just in the world championship but also at home here in the UK.
Covid-19 will control the 2021 events, but I was looking forward to my first ride in the Scottish Six Days Trial, and I would have also contested the S3 road-based national series, as well as the ACU British Championship. He also made it quite clear that I would also be obliged to ride in centre events when time permitted to spread the Scorpa name in my neck of the woods.
Nigel’s very honest
Yes, to the point that it does make you take a little step back and listen — when he is talking, I am listening! I knew that the transition from the four-stroke Montesa would not be a quick one, but it has been far easier with the support from Nigel, if I am honest. The two engines, fourstroke and two-stroke, and their characteristics are totally different. Both engines are very powerful, as you would expect, and both have an excellent clutch action, which is very important in the way you ride. You cannot really compare the two machines as they are so different in handling and performance, but both are very good in their own ways.
The Montesa rides very solid, and, for me, the suspension was the best part of the machines. On the Scorpa, it rides more what I would call flowing – smooth and agile.