29-07-06, Hawkstone Park -No European Championship on Saturday at Hawkstone Park (finished two weeks ago), but a lot of fun, sometimes necessary to smooth the tension between the opposite teams. Many spectators watched the exhibition of past stars, some of them still in very good form nowadays. Steve Saunders, Donato Miglio, Joan Pons, Marc Colomer and Amos Bilbao rode for fun 5 sections, already fixed for the day after through the green gates (reserved for 125 cc) . Amos and Marc cleaned all the hazards and also dabbed the discriminating section (blue gates), so both shared the win. Bilbao made also some extra-show, climbing a high wall (reserved to red riders) to delight the careful public who accompanied sections by sections all the old stars. Before this event, Steve Colley attracted public's attention riding his unique Gasgas with just the rear wheel. We took the chance to interview him, as one of most skilled rider who rode for fifteen years the world championship , questioning him about the future of our favourite sport.
Phototrial: Steve, this year has not been good for the trials bike sales, at least in Europe, according to what declared by the factories, moreover the number of riders in the top class of the world championship dropped dramatically (11 riders in US GP), how do you see the future of our sport?
Steve Colley: It is necessary to come back to no-stop trial. What now scare more the new generation is to have three of four minders to compete in the world championship. Nobody can afford it! One mechanic must be enough, just to help the rider in case of mechanical matters, but not in manoeuvring into the sections. Also for people watching the sport could be more accessible to new potential customers.
P.: And what about the environmental problems, do you think the main fault of this crisis can be found in that topic?
S.C.:For ever Trials had to fight against ecological people, but fortunately it still surveys. We opened new markets: I lately was in Island and in Latin America, lands where you can use a trials bike and go everywhere. Anyway the main reason is to make the competitions easier , introducing again the no-stop rules.
Last thing, do you realize that we are world champions? In soccer, obviously!