A GOLDEN JUBILEE

As a base point of fact in history books, we all look to the Scottish Six Days Trial in Scotland as the most famous motorcycle trial in the world. Since 1909, it has given ideas and inspiration to so many other events over the years. As we all know, the sport grew from its British origins of man and machines before the European interest in the 1960s. Spanish motorcycle manufacturers, inspired by the great Sammy Miller and his move to Bultaco in 1965, wanted a piece of the trials action. Over the next few years, they would push the once-mighty British motorcycle manufacturers aside. Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa were the machines to own, and with such interest in them, the sport of motorcycle trials would continue to grow in Europe. The Spanish looked in envy at the famous Scottish Six Days Trial; they wanted their own event. As a competition, Santigosa was born in 1970 with a one-day trial, driven by three friends, Oriol Guixà, Jordi Permanyer and Miquel Canal. With the idea in place and with more support from a large number of people from Sant Joan de les Abadesses in 1972, the Santigosa Three-Day Trial was born.

Presented with a book by my good friend Carlos Casa at the Scottish Six Days, it catalogued the history of the Santigosa Three-Day Trial from 1972 to 2022. I felt very privileged to receive it. Using the book as a reference point, I have included some words from it to give you an insight into the event.

CONNECTIONS

The parents of Oriol Guixà had purchased the Santigosa estate, and in 1970 he and Jordi Permanyer, the son of the owner of Montesa, had an idea for a one-day trial. It would be a low-key event for local riders, but word soon got around just how good the organisation was and — the most important factor — the trials area to be ridden on.

The first two competitions were excellent, and, with the connections through Montesa that Jordi Permanyer had, it attracted many of Spain’s leading riders. The success of these first two events planted the seed for them to organise a Spanish, Scottish Six Days Trial. The three-day trial would come to life in 1972 when the third key person in this success story, Miquel Canal, came on board. He was the connection that was needed with the local community, who enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to bring the event to life.

Jordi Magnet and the late Ricard Pinet would join these three, who would both play vital roles in its early success. Pinet was a huge trials supporter and a very knowledgeable Clerk of the Course. He was a selfless and key figure in the organisation for almost 40 years.

Word soon started to circulate on the international trials scene about this new event, and in 1976 the Moto Club Abadesses came to life, which continues to organise the Santigosa Three-Day in 2022.

A TRIAL FOR EVERYONE

The theme has always been about a motorcycle trial for everyone, from the clubmen riders of the two-wheeled sport through to the full-time professionals. An event born in the ‘boom times’ of the sport, the three mighty manufacturers of Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa would soon be fighting for supremacy. They would all send their leading riders to win what was the ‘One to Win’ in Europe, and the success sold motorcycles, which kept everyone happy as the sport grew at an alarming rate.

Over the 50-year period, 15 manufacturers have their names on the winner’s trophy, with Gas Gas winning the most with 19 victories and Montesa next with 12 wins.

The concept of the three-day trial remains the same, but many changes have had to be made to accommodate the modern world. Most of the changes have been small and made, in general, to improve the event and the logistics of accommodating so many riders and visitors to the area.

In the small town of Sant Joan de les Abadesses, with a small population of 3,000, many have become involved in the sport and the event; becoming an observer or official is something that runs in the family blood. However, with an international event like this, nothing is left to chance.

The infrastructure is a huge task ever for a professional organisation to undertake, but on all occasions, the Moto Club Abadesses has shown itself as more than capable.

2022 AND BEYOND

The formation of Moto Club Abadesses was founded to keep the event secure from its origins in 1976 into the present day and beyond. Younger people are actively encouraged to become involved in the many roles that make the event happen. The club has a bike park to encourage children to try the sport on bicycles before moving into the motorcycle world.

In the last twenty-year period, the club has invested a great deal of time and money ensuring that they comply with an ever-changing world of rules and regulations.

THE BOOK: SANTIGOSA THREE-DAY TRIAL FROM 1972–2022

For any motorcycle trials enthusiast, this is a must-have book. As well as Spanish and Catalan, the book includes English text and a huge selection of period and present pictures related to this superb event.

For information, visit the club’s excellent website: www.motoclubabadesses.cat.

Trial Magazine would like to thank the club and Carlos Casas for their support with the words and pictures for this feature. Thank you.

SANTIGOSA THREE-DAY WINNERS 1972–2022

WINNERS: 1972: Pere Pi (Montesa-ESP); 1973: Walter Luft (Puch-AUS); 1974: Benny Sellman (Montesa-SWE); 1975: Rob Edwards (Montesa-ESP); 1976: Malcolm Rathmell (MontesaGBR); 1977: Jaime Subira (Montesa-ESP); 1978 & 1979: Toni Gorgot (Bultaco-ESP); 1980 & 1981: Toni Gorgot (Ossa-ESP); 1982: Eddy Lejeune (Honda-BEL); 1983: Toni Gorgot (MontesaESP); 1984: Lluis Gallach (Merlin -ESP); 1985: Toni Gorgot (JJ Cobas-ESP); 1986: Lluis Gallach (Montesa-ESP); 1987: Eddy Lejeune (Honda-BEL); 1988: Gabino Renales (Montesa-ESP); 1989: Joan Freixas (Gas Gas-ESP); 1990: Lluis Gallach (Gas GasESP); 1991 & 1992: Lluis Gallach (Alfer-ESP); 1993 & 1994: Joan Pons (Gas Gas-ESP); 1995: Josep Ribera (Gas Gas-ESP);1996: Joan Pons (Fantic-ESP); 1997: Dougie Lampkin (Beta-GBR); 1998: Marc Catlla (Gas Gas-ESP); 1999 & 2000: Marc Freixa (Gas Gas-ESP); 2001: Amos Bilbao (Montesa-ESP); 2002 & 2003: Jordi Pascuet (Gas Gas-ESP); 2004: Joan Pons (Sherco-ESP); 2005 & 2006: Jordi Pascuet (Gas Gas-ESP); 2007: Marc Freixa (Scorpa-ESP); 2008: Marc Freixa (Gas Gas-ESP); 2009, 2010 & 2011: Jordi Pascuet (Gas Gas-ESP); 2012: Jordi Pascuet (JotagasESP); 2013: Francesc Moret (Montesa-ESP); 2014: Marc Freixa (Gas Gas-ESP); 2015: Jaime Busto (Montesa-ESP); 2016: James Dabill (Vertigo-GBR); 2017: Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa-ESP); 2018: Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa-ESP); 2019: Miquel Gelabert (Sherco-ESP); 2020: No Event; 2021: Jorge Casales (Gas GasESP); 2022: Arnau Farre (Sherco-ESP).

MANUFACTURERS: 1972–2022

MANUFACTURER WINS: Gas Gas: 19; Montesa: 12; Sherco: 3; Alfer: 2; Bultaco: 2; Honda: 2; Ossa: 2; Fantic: 1; JJ Cobas: 1; Jotagas: 1; Merlin 1; Puch: 1; Scorpa: 1; Vertigo: 1.

At the very first Santigosa One-Day Trial in 1970 the local people came to see what trials was all about. Discussing a section in 1973 are Oriol Guixà, Jordi Permanyer and Jordi Magnet. In the early days, chalk-boards were used to record the results. Local people embraced the trial and welcomed it into the town.

Gas Gas has the most wins in the trial; this is the first one in 1989 with Joan Freixas. The late Ricard Pinet with Mick Andrews in 1994. Carlos Casas (Vertigo-ESP) has been highly instrumental in attracting overseas riders to the event. All ages are welcome.

Montesa have supported the event from the very beginning. Great Britain’s Jack Dance (GASGAS) entertains. A winner in 2022, Arnau Farre (Sherco-ESP).