2008 Wagner Cup, United States Grand Prix, World Trials Championship, April 26-27, at the TTC in Sequatchie TN

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USGP/TTC photo gallery

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Takahisa Fujinami, Japan, 1st Place, World

Results for Day 1 in the Championship class:

1. Takahisa Fujinami – 12
2. Toni Bou – 16
3. Albert Cabestany – 28

Champ class podiumTakahisa Fujinami Champ class podium Takahisa Fujinami

The rest of the Championship results:

4. Adam Raga – 30
5. Marc Freixa – 37
6. Jeroni Fajardo – 38
7. Dougie Lampkin – 45
8. James Dabill – 73
9. Daniel Oliveras – 95
10. Michael Brown – 111

Loris Gubian, France, 1st place, Junior

Results for Day 1 in the Junior Championship:

1. Loris Gubian – 35
2. Ross Danby – 45
3. Matteo Grattatola – 46

Junior Championship podium Junior Championship podium Loris Gubian

The rest of the Juniors:

4. Sam Haslam – 49
5. Alexz Wigg – 49
6. Alfredo Gomez – 52
7. Guillaume Laniel – 62
8. David Millan – 63
9. Cody Webb – 67
10. Fredrik johansson – 71
11. Will Ibsen – 74
12. Laia Sanz – 90
13. Ewoud Lalkens – 132

Patrick Smage, USA, 1st place, Youth

Results for Day 1 in the Youth Championship:

1. Patrick Smage – 6 (25 cleans)
2. Jack Challoner – 6 (24 cleans)
3. Alexandre Ferrer – 17

Youth podiumPatrick Smage Patrick Smage Craig GernhardtPatrick Smage and relatives

Pat Smage (Sherco USA/Ryan Young Products) took home a win in his first World event on home soil. He made the USA crowd happy, and apparently, some of his relatives, too.

The rest of the Youth:

4. Pau Botella – 20
5. Benoit Dagnicourt – 22
6. Francesc Moret – 24
7. Adrian Pastoriza – 25
8. Jonathon Richardson – 33
9. Pere Borrellas – 38
10. Jake Whitaker – 54
11. Ron Commo – 79
12. Josiah Mizell – 106
13. Andrew Oldar – 108
14. Alexander Bedley – 114
15. Eric Storz – 129

Photo album: Saturday Observers

Teams of observers (4-5 on a team) checked each of today’s 15 sections, a difficult job to do for 6 straight hours. I got around to sections 1-7 and 14-15 and tried to take photos of as many observers as I could.  See the album of 50 photos or this slideshow:

Photo album: riders studying the sections

The first loop involves a lot of analysis of the sections, especially by the riders in the Championship class. See the album of 17 photos or this slideshow:

Day 1 results available from Trials Central. Photos coming soon…

After spending hours and hours trying to diagnose a slow internet connection, it turns out to have been a BellSouth region-wide, all-day problem. AAARRRGGGHHH!

Andy Greig trialscentral-logo
Andy Greig at Trials Central has the Day 1 results posted. I’ll start posting photos and maybe some video clips shortly.

Big crowds, perfect weather

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I’m heading back out to the sections for more photos. Until then, this will have to suffice!

Photo album: Saturday morning observers’ meeting

Scenes from this morning’s meeting with the observers. See the album or this slideshow:

Riders’ departure schedule – Saturday

Saturday departure schedule - youth Saturday departure schedule - juniors and champs

  • Left: The Youth go out first today, starting with Andrew Oldar at 9:44 am. Subsequent riders depart at two-minute intervals.
  • Right: Juniors go out next, starting with Cody Webb at 10:16 am. Championship class follows, with Daniel Oliveras departing at 10:42. Last rider out is Adam Raga at 11 am, finishing at 4:30 pm.

Blonde reinforcements

Catherine Bedley and relatives Catherine’s sisters and other blond relatives showed up last night to provide emotional support.

I’ll try to get names later today.

Dignitaries! Officials! Muckety-mucks!

TTC HQ FIM dinner FIM dinner

The new TTC HQ building was the site of tonight’s dinner with officials from the FIM, NATC, and other motorcycle trials-related organizations.

FIM dinner FIM dinner FIM dinner FIM dinner

The Sammi Moore Band

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The Sammi Moore Band played tonight in the TTC pavilion. No, not Sammy Miller.

Sammi Moore Band Sammi Moore BandSammi Moore Band

The Friday night BBQ team

In about 30 minutes, we’re having a big BBQ for the FIM ‘dignitaries’ with all the fixin’s. These are the folks (fellow Minnesotans) who spent most of the day preparing the food.

Mike O'Donnell, Sean O'Donnell, Karen GarrettShaun O'Donnell and Mike O'Donnell

Left: Mike O’Donnell, head chef Shaun O’Donnell, and Karen Garrett.
Right: Shaun and his pappy!

Steve Ahlers arrives; does practically nothing

Bill Mathewson, Steve Ahlers, Hub Brennan Here’s a smiling fellow Minnesotan, Steve Ahlers, veteran organizer of three Wagner Cups at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN earlier this decade. (That’s RITC’s Bill Mathewson and Hub Brennan with him).

Steve remarked how much he enjoys coming to World Rounds, having no organizational responsibilities whatsoever.  He still volunteers, though. He’s checking a section on Saturday.

Invasion of the Canucks

Andrew Blane and Tom Doroshenko IMG_3420

I met Canadian Tom Doroshenko at Trials Training Days last month (on the right in left photo with TTC instructor Andrew Blane). He returned this week with many of his trials-riding buddies and they had a ring-side seat on the porch of one of the TTC cabins for today’s practice session and subsequent afternoon of relaxation. In the group photo, Tom is the only one with his pants on. No wonder border-crossings have been tightened up.

Rider section inspection

I had some techie tasks and couldn’t get out to take photos of riders inspecting the sections this afternoon… except for these photos of Section 15 at the end the day.

IMG_3418 IMG_3416 IMG_3415 IMG_3412

Right photo: Hey, manicuring!

The gatekeepers

Joe Terry and Steve Dapp Joe Terry

Left: ‘Papa’ Joe Terry and Steve Dapp spent all day at the gate today, selling tickets and, despite strict FIM rules against it, occasionally fraternizing with the customers (right photo).

Are we tense? Yes and no.

Are things hectic here? Ya, you betcha! (I speak Minnesotan.) How are we handling it?

Charlie Roberts and Catherine Bedley Dan and Vaughn

Left: Charlie Roberts and his sweetie, Catherine Bedley, were the picture of calm at lunchtime.

Right: Dan Brown, however, was in the midst of a meltdown and taking it out on his son-in-law Vaughn. Somebody tell Joey!

David Davis does it all

David Davis USGP banner David Davis  
Everywhere I go, I see David Davis working on some project. Last night, it was the huge FIM banner in the TTC HQ.

A fashion show

The new TTC HQ will have all the lastest fashionable trials-related clothing for sale.

Becky Melton and Carey Roberts Becky Melton and friend Becky Melton and friend Becky Melton and friend

Volunteers Becky Melton and Carey Roberts dolled up the manikins yesterday for the window display.