2000 European Championship
Here in Great Britain, I witness first-hand the sheer hard work that families and riders put into their efforts to get their foot on the ladder to achieving the dream of a factory-supported ride in the FIM Trial World Championship. Living and breathing Trial Magazine puts me among so many of these families. I have witnessed first-hand the challenging financial pressures, frustration and tears. Then there are the arguments when it all looks so difficult to achieve that first treasured FIM World Championship point. Of course, when it all calms down, some riders don’t make the grade, although some do come very close to it. For many, this is where the dream stops. They have to reflect on what might have been as they move into the real world of employment. It’s a long time since I attended a European Championship round. Still, for many riders, this is the stepping stone that opens the door to the FIM World Championship and the chance to perform to the very people from the various factories that could, further down the line, become their employer.
In 2017 I was very fortunate to be able to spend some quality time with an old friend, Peter Beardmore, before he lost his brave battle against cancer. We reminisced about his days attending the European Championship rounds representing the ACU and UK riders. He very much echoed my thoughts on how he had witnessed first-hand the families and riders living in motorhomes and vans, trekking around Europe.
Parents were juggling financial constraints to take time off work so their youngsters could fit in competitions while trying to secure a future away from the sport by preparing them for important exams as they travelled the many road miles in Europe to attend events.
This article had been kept on hold after Peter’s untimely death as I wanted to wait until 2020 to have a brief look back at the 2000 European Trials Championship with some of his excellent pictures. After conversations with some of the riders and the ‘Guardian’ of trials Charly Demathieu, we had full access to the results and the opportunity to generate this article.
REPLICATED
It’s also worth noting that this pattern is replicated not just in Great Britain but also around the world and in Europe which, of course, is home to the majority of the motorcycle trials manufacturers.
Since the late ’90s, I have been good friends with Adam Raga spending many a time talking to him and his father, Josep. I have seen the same pattern emerge for the foreign riders.
A couple of years ago, I spoke to Josep about Adam’s path to the very top of the sport. It was interesting to note that, at the time Adam moved under away from under his wing to Gas Gas as a fully supported rider, the family funds were almost exhausted! I wonder just how many of the other top riders’ parents have been in the same situation. Many of those who attend both the European and World Championship competitions were once riders themselves, and it’s always good to catch up with them as many are the same age as me.
Writing this article during the pandemic, I did wonder if the governing bodies of the world of motorcycle trials would seek the opportunity to give the European Championship series more credibility. If it could attract financial sponsorship, could we see the return of the manufacturers’ support to what so many still consider to be the ‘grassroots’ of the FIM Trial World Championship?
With more support and exposure, this ‘feeder’ championship could be the kick-start to getting more riders attending who are looking to a secure future in the sport.
ROUND 1 ITALY: ACQUASANTA TERME 16TH JULY ENTRY: 57 RIDERS
With both Adam Raga and Sam Connor also contesting the FIM World Championship rounds, the European Championship looked on paper to turn into a battle between these two young riders.
Separated by a single mark at the end of a hot day of action, it was the English rider Connor who took the victory, despite a panic in the closing stages on the last lap with a rear wheel puncture.
Seasoned Italian rider, Dario Re Delle Gandine, took the final step on the podium. In what would turn out to be his best season since Ben Hemingway started in the European Championship, he came home in 12th position, just two places behind Martin Crosswaite on the new model Scorpa as they both scored points.
RESULTS: 1: Sam Connor (Montesa-GBR) 23; 2: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 24; 3: Dario Re Delle Gandine (Montesa-ITA) 30; 4: Stefano Dellio (Montesa-ITA) 33; 5: Gregory Eyries (Sherco-FRA) 40; 10: Martin Crosswaite (Scorpa-GBR) 50; 12:
Ben Hemingway (Beta-GBR) 60; 17: Dan Clarke (Scorpa-GBR) 65; 28: Ian Austermuhle (Beta-GBR) 91; Retired: Michael Phillipson (Beta-GBR).