Toni should/I think will retire at 40 titles, leaving a near unmatchable legacy behind. Then we can have a competitive top step again. Let's not forget Laia Sanz was more than capable of doing what Emma did if she competed those years.
Mikes lost the plot. Bou is the best thing to ever happen to trials. If you want to beat him, practice harder, get better. If you slackened the sections off and left it to time he'd still win because he generally completes them quicker than the rest too! He'll retire one day and eventually someone else will dominate for a spell. At which time we can moan that that guy is too good 🙄
the sport is suffering the same issues world wide. Less and less riders competing a high level. Huge costs for travel and competing = less riders = less bike sales = less sponsorship or manufacturers putting money back into the sport. I dont know how much $$ the ACU put back into trials, but for many years now the Spanish federation has funded their riders and also had academies for Youth. Toni is NOT the problem, but there is a big problem and our beautiful sport is slipping away. Year after year its sad to see good young riders walk away because they cant fund it on their own anymore, and can turn to other sports, mostly Hard Enduro
Very interesting conversation!! Keep them coming. Thanks.
Enjoying these yarns guys I look forward to the next one
Toni should/I think will retire at 40 titles, leaving a near unmatchable legacy behind. Then we can have a competitive top step again. Let's not forget Laia Sanz was more than capable of doing what Emma did if she competed those years.
Mikes lost the plot. Bou is the best thing to ever happen to trials. If you want to beat him, practice harder, get better. If you slackened the sections off and left it to time he'd still win because he generally completes them quicker than the rest too! He'll retire one day and eventually someone else will dominate for a spell. At which time we can moan that that guy is too good 🙄
the sport is suffering the same issues world wide. Less and less riders competing a high level. Huge costs for travel and competing = less riders = less bike sales = less sponsorship or manufacturers putting money back into the sport. I dont know how much $$ the ACU put back into trials, but for many years now the Spanish federation has funded their riders and also had academies for Youth. Toni is NOT the problem, but there is a big problem and our beautiful sport is slipping away. Year after year its sad to see good young riders walk away because they cant fund it on their own anymore, and can turn to other sports, mostly Hard Enduro
Thanks for some good points here. So what’s the solution?
@2Wheels-OffRoad I wish I knew...but I sure hope that ALL National sanctioning bodies and the FIM are trying to find solutions