THE FUTURE STARS

Portugal

Putting down the hammer in qualification was a proud moment for Great Britain’s 15-year-old Alice Minta as she scorched to the pole position on the Scorpa on her debut in the Trial2 class. As the event opened into a red-hot day it was Alice who stole the early advantage to take an early lead before an unexpected stop threw that away. Fighting back into the action she held a slender three-mark advantage over her closest rivals Vivian Wachs and Lenna Volpe as the lap closed. It was the German girl Wachs who set the standard on the second lap of the 15 hazards, with an incredible ride of five marks lost made up of a three and a two. Alice tried to fight back, and in a lap where she did not concede a five she finished just four marks behind the winner. These two were well clear of the third-placed Lenna Volpe from France who finished in front of a fight

for fourth between four other riders. Fourth place would eventually go to Caroline Moreon making it a good day for France. QUALIFYING: 1: Alice Minta (Scorpa-GBR) 0 + 21.01; 2: Erika Melchior (ScorpaNOR) 0 + 23.05; 3: Caroline Moreon (Sherco-FRA) 0 + 24.29; 4: Vivian Wachs (TRRS-DEU) 0 + 25.49; 5: Gabrielle Whitham (Beta-GBR) 0 + 26.27; 6: Martina Gallieni (TRRS-ITA) 0 + 26.74; 7: Sophia Ter Jung (TRRS-DEU) 0 + 27.40; 8: Lenna Volpe (Sherco-FRA) 1 + 23.76; 9: Seline Melling (Beta-NOR) 1 + 25.40; 10: Sofia Porfirio (TRRS-PRT) 1 + 25.54; 11: Lillie Yiatrou (TRRS-AUT) 1 + 27.50; 12: Alicia Robinson (Beta-GBR) 1 + 27.89; 13: Rita Vieira (Ossa-PRT) 2 + 24.79; 14: Eva Munoz (Sherco-ESP) 2 + 27.10; 15: Mariana Afonso (Sherco-PRT) 3 + 28.44.

RESULTS: 1: Wachs 23; 2: Minta 27; 3: Volpe 35; 4: Moreon 42; 5: Ter Jung 46; 6: Robinson 46; 7: Melchior 46; 8: Melling 51; 9: Whitham 58; 10: Gallieni 63; 11: Vieira 74; 12: Munoz 87; 13: Yiatrou 109; 14: Porfirio 120; 15: Afonso 126.

France

It was first-round winner Vivian Wachs who came out of the starting blocks the quickest to throw down the gauntlet to her rivals as she held Erika Melchior at bay by a very slender margin. Once again it was a hot day for the action and it very much replicated the opening round, with Vivian Wachs and Alice Minta on ten marks each as Erika Melchior used the start position to her advantage to be next on 12 marks lost. As she had done just one week earlier on the second lap Vivian took the TRRS round, parting with just a single mark on section nine.

After a nervous start to the second lap with a three on section two Alice Minta settled down to close her lap on five. This was good strong riding from the young ‘Brit’ who once again had Lenna Volpe breathing down her neck. The three riders following all finished very close, only separated by single marks, proving just how competitive this class is; the last round should be very interesting as you can guarantee that to take the title Vivian Wachs will once again have to be at her very best. QUALIFYING: 1: Vivian Wachs (TRRS-DEU) 0 + 20.07; 2: Erika Melchior (ScorpaNOR) 0 + 20.78; 3: Lenna Volpe (Sherco-FRA) 0 + 22.23; 4: Alice Minta (ScorpaGBR) 0 + 22.59; 5: Caroline Moreon (Sherco-FRA) 0 + 22.78; 6: Naomi Monnier (Beta-FRA) 0 + 23.06; 7: Sophia Ter Jung (TRRS-DEU) 0 + 23.83; 8: Seline Melling (Beta-NOR) 0 + 24.96; 9: Martina Gallieni (TRRS-ITA) 0 + 25.43; 10: Eva Munoz (Sherco-ESP) 0 + 26.76; 11: Alicia Robinson (Beta-GBR) 0 + 28.36; 12: Leonor Moreira (Gas Gas-PRT) 0 +30.86; 13: Lillie Yiatrou (TRRS-AUT) 0 + 33.10 RESULTS: 1: Wachs 11; 2: Minta 15; 3: Volpe 20; 4: Moreon 23; 5: Monnier 24; 6: Melchior 25; 7: Ter Jung 30; 8: Gallieni 30; 9: Robinson 41; 10: Munoz 76; 11: Moreira (Gas Gas-PRT) 112; 12: Yiatrou 113.

2019 Trial2 Women’s World Championship Positions

RESULTS: 1: Vivian Wachs (TRRS-DEU) 40; 2: Alice Minta (Scorpa-GBR) 34; 3: Lenna Volpe (Sherco-FRA) 30; 4: Caroline Moreon (Sherco-FRA) 26; 5: Sophia Ter Jung (TRRS-DEU) 20; 6: Erika Melchior (Scorpa-NOR) 19; 7: Alicia Robinson (Beta-GBR) 17; 8: Martina Gallieni (TRRS-ITA) 14; 9: Naomi Monnier (Beta-FRA) 11; 10: Eva Munoz (Sherco-ESP) 10; 11: Seline Melling (Beta-NOR) 8; 12: Gabrielle Whitham (Beta-GBR) 7; 13: Lillie Yiatrou (TRRS-AUT) 7; 14: Leonor Moreira (Gas Gas-PRT) 5; 15: Rita Vieira (Ossa-PRT) 5.

Vivian Wachs (TRRS-DEU): Having dominated the opening two rounds, will the Spanish TRRS manufacturer take its first world title with the German rider? Lenna Volpe (Sherco-FRA): The French federation has invested in its riders and it’s showing the rewards, as Leena is locked in a battle with Caroline Moreon in the championship. Caroline Moreon (Sherco-FRA): With only four marks between her and Lenna Volpe, the battle for the best French rider should be very interesting. Alice Minta (Scorpa-GBR): Both strong and determined; keep your eye on this young lady, she wants a world title and is maturing into a very strong contender despite her young age.

Gabrielle Whitham (Beta-GBR): Taking in only the opening round in Portugal and enjoying the experience, ‘Gabby’ finished ninth and will be happy with the seven points that went with it. Will these three continue to dominate the podium? We will see after Spain! Alicia Robinson (Beta-GBR): Once the nerves settle and the talent comes to the surface just watch Alicia make her way in the world of ladies’ trials. Sophia Ter Jung (TRRS-DEU): Looking good all the time, we expect a strong finish to the season from Sophia.