International
Most riders will have heard of the TDN, which is the official FIM end of year world championship event to decide which country has the best trials riders on the planet. So what has this got to do with classic trials, you may ask?
Classic TDN
Frenchman Joel Corroy has one of the most innovative trials minds I have ever come across. In the 1980s he produced his own machine, the JCM, with fuel tank under the seat and air filter under the headstock. The club, named after his Trail 70 shop based in Vesoul in eastern France, organises a number of classic trials including the two-day international at Arbecey.
From the start this event was innovative as all the profits went to a chosen charity, which this year was l’Association SEMONS l’ESPOIR which provides support for children suffering from cancer. This also helped to secure the support of the local communes for land access as it was a charitable event.
This year was the first attempt to include some friendly rivalry between the many nations that have riders attending the event — but more of that later. It should be pointed out that this is not an FIM sanctioned event but more a lighthearted attempt to create a more sporting atmosphere.
The trial itself is a superb event for any rider; this year there was a single lap of around 30km of tracks and trails through the forests of five neighbouring communes, a feat in itself, and there were two loops within the lap to allow refuelling in the paddock and, on Saturday, 18 sections to ride. Sunday is the big day with two laps of 20 sections meaning a long time in the saddle. Classes catered for are Pre-65, Pre-78, Twin-shock and for the first time this year an air-cooled Mono class.
In order to select each national team the best three riders, one from each of the twin-shock classes given above, riding the expert route was to be invited to represent their country. This however proved to be a bit of a problem as only France had riders in the Pre-65 class! For the first year then it was decided to just select the three best riders per country.
Joel would love for his concept to work as intended as he still rides his beloved 350 Ariel. The hazards themselves are ‘proper’ classic sections, which were actually used in the French championship during their glory days of Gilles Burgat and Thierry Michaud.
They are open, flowing sections with a number of steps or rides across a jumble of rocks. The rain in the preceding week made it very muddy and hence very slippery on Saturday. Nevertheless there were some pretty dammed good rides, with a fair number of
Joel Corry (Ariel-FRA) M Feidt (SWM-FRA)
F Hamann (Aprilia-FRA)
Steve Martin (Majesty-GBR)
Richard Mollet (Montesa-JER)
M Petidemange (Fantic-FRA)
Paul Mollet (Majesty-JER)
experts recording a single-figure score over a lap.
Sunday dawned brighter and as the day went on the sections dried out and became slightly easier although the mud dragged onto the limestone rock the previous day meant much care was needed. On Sunday teams from France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, United Kingdom and — wait for it — Jersey were ready for the off.
So near but yet so far...
Given they had the greatest selection of riders to choose from it was perhaps no surprise that France ran out winners of the inaugural event, given there was also a fair bit of local knowledge.
In second place came the surprise package of Jersey, with Italy filling the final podium place. Individually the battle for top spots in the Pre-78 and Twin-shock Expert class went to the Mollet brothers Richard and Paul who had a battle royal to be top dog. Paul shaded elder brother Richard by 10 points overall but Richard took the bragging rights by taking his 1974 Montesa 250 to a perfect clean lap, which was the only one of the day and he was not riding a shiny new Godden Majesty prepared by Craig Mawlam. Mum and Dad were present and must have been really proud of the boys!
The results of the Classic TDN showed the value of consistency; France ran out clear winners losing around half the total of Jersey who had a handsome advantage over Italy, who just shaded out the UK in the battle for a rostrum place.
One thing is for certain: everyone enjoyed working together as a team. Trials by its very nature is an insular individual sport, and to be able to work together in a group is a definite advantage in my eyes.
Next year
Joel really wants the original format to work with all classes represented in the team, as well as expanding the participating nations to include other countries especially Spain, which has a high class classic scene, to make it an event to remember. So if you are a really good rider mark the dates in your diary for next year (23 and 24 August 2014) and take a holiday in this lovely region of France. The organisers would love to see you.
Thanks to…
Joel would like to thank the communes for allowing access to the forest, the many (around 100 in total) who took the time to help with the logistics, the observing and the feeding of hungry riders, without you none of this could happen. The sum of 3,400€ was raised by the event and will be presented to the charity SEMONS l’ESPOIR.