Posted October 3, 2006   Email   Print

Photos by Mario Candellone

Spain wins third Trial des Nations; USA men finish 9th; women 7th

By Shan Moore

Spain made it three Trial des Nations wins in a row with a convincing victory over Great Britain on a slippery course at Breal Sous Monfort, France, while the American team came home in ninth position in the annual classic.

In the Women’s Trial des Nations event, held on Saturday, Great Britain claimed its first-ever win, topping the team from Spain by just 3 points.

The American team of Louise Forsley and Sarah Duke (right), rode impressively to a seventh-place overall finish in the 13-team field. The two U.S. riders even defeated teams that had a full complement of three riders.

The U.S. men's squad of Geoff Aaron, Chris Florin, Cody Webb and Keith Wineland (top photo), who moved to the more difficult “A” class this year after winning the International Trophy last year in the “B” class, rode considerably better than their finish suggested on the extremely difficult hazards, and lost eighth position to the German team by a matter of a few points.

Unfortunately, by finishing last in the World Championship division, the U.S. team will have to return to the International Trophy category in next year's competition while the 2006 winner of the International Trophy, Ireland, moves up to the World Championship level.

The Spaniards have dominated the team competition for three straight years and the win was just another notch in the belt for team captain Adam Raga, who successfully defended his World title this year.

Final standings of the 2006 Trial des Nations:

 © 2006, American Motorcyclist Association