The latest news from the event
Adelaide GP of Ireland on this weekend
31/03/2009 12:00:00
Riders will come from all over the world to compete in the first two rounds of this year's championship, and with the entry list complete it looks like it's set to be an amazing season opener. Current World Champion Toni Bou and the rest of Team Montesa will arrive on Thursday 2nd April to make their home for the next 4 days in what could be an incredibly exciting and exhilarating weekend of sport. Toni Bou who finished second to fellow Spanish rider Adam Raga in last years GP of Ireland, will not be wanting a repeat performance particularly as this is a double header weekend with both the Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April carrying separate Championship points.
Toni Bou may be fresh from another World Indoor title, but there are more and more riders nipping at his heels. Adam Raga was the two time World Champion before Bou came fully onto the scene and as Raga develops as a rider, he will be pushing harder and harder to reclaim his title as World Champion and break Bou's seemingly effortless succession of Indoor and Outdoor titles.
Toni Bou will certainly have a crowd of followers behind him but the man getting the loudest cheers is sure to be Yorkshire man Dougie Lampkin. Dougie has been welcomed to the shores of Northern Ireland on many occasions to the extent he is seen as a local legend within motorcycle circles. Currently number 6 in the world, Dougie has been sitting on 99 World Championship wins for far too long now, and will be anxious to stamp his authority once more on the World Trial scene, but with his decision to no longer compete on the Indoor World Championship, his supremacy may be on the wain. But one thing to keep in mind is that Dougie has always won at a new Irish venue Red Hall – World Championship, Castlewellan – British Championship, Bangor – World Championship. I think its safe to say there are very few trials fans that wouldn't want to see him take his rightful place back on the top step of the podium and claim his 100th Championship win.
Many other familiar faces within World Trials will be fighting to win championship points including the much liked Japanese rider Takahisa Fujinami. His quick smile and easy manner, belies his hard competitive edge that marks a rider who has been riding at World Championship level since 1996, an amazing fact given the very physical nature of this sport. Another top Spanish rider is Albert Cabestany who has always hovered just on the fringes of greatness, will be trying to get that extra burst of brilliance or luck that can raise a rider above the pack and take him to the top step of the podium.
Local riders are exceptionally well represented with seven Irish riders, with Bangor man Gareth Andrews once again representing Northern Ireland in the GP of Ireland, and we are sure that “Bull” will be showing his usual flair and drive to win. From the MCUI Southern Centre, Sean Doyle who is the 2008 Champion will be leading out as the top Irish Rider and will be wanting to pick up some championship and show the International Trials scene just how good Irish trials can be.
One thing is for sure, that the Adelaide GP of Ireland is going to be an exceptional event, and as the only World Championship Motorcycle event in Ireland this year, the fans and followers of motorsport are in for a rare treat where they can get up close to the action and see the incredibly acrobatics that these riders can perform.
The organisers, the Lightweight Motor Cycle Club have worked tirelessly with sponsors, supporters and many others to bring this event once more to Northern Ireland, and as the final preparations are put in place, this year is set to be the biggest and most successful yet.
For further information please visit www.worldtrialni.co.uk or contact the Press Officer Jarleth Downey jarlethdowney@yahoo.co.uk on 07795075092.
Adelaide GP of Ireland is sponsored by Adelaide Insurance Service www.adelaideinsurance.com who offer a competitive insurance service for Motorcycles, Cars, and Home.
Full Pre-Entry list available http://www.worldtrialni.co.uk/riders/riders.html
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