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Introduction to the 2012 Trial European Championship

The 2012 UEM Trial European Championship is starting this week-end with a two-days event in Varallo Sesia, North West of Italy.

Matteo GrattarolaOn Saturday it is scheduled the first of three rounds of the Youth Cup and Women Championship. On Sunday the usual four classes of the real European Championship that this year consists of 6 rounds.

Nearly 150 riders have already sent their entry-forms. Riders coming from Austria, Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, Holland, Germany, France, England, Switzerland, Sweden and Spain, plus the hosting country, Italy. To see the full list, click here. Among them two ex world champion: Finnish Tommi Ahvala, who was crowned in 1992 riding Italian factory Aprilia and Spanish Marc Colomer, champion in 1996 mounting a Montesa. The former will ride in the Over 40 class, while the latter will be just minder of Pere Borrellas – Gas Gas, one of the most likely challengers of the favorite Italian Matteo Grattarola – Spea Gas Gas. The Italian champion lost the European title in the last two years really at the last round. This year he is more determined and will try to do his best to achieve his goal. It won’t be easy with rivals as country mate Daniele Maurino – Ossa or new entry promoted from the 125 cc, French Cedric Tempier – Sherco and Italian Giacomo Saleri – Beta.

In the Junior class, the odds are in favor of French Steven Coquelin – Gas Gas, on final podium in the last season. Between the over 40, Ahvala won’t be the only star, as ex-world rider Holland Marc Reit will context this championship, too. Among the women, Laia Sanz, now riding Gas Gas, is still the most credited to climb the highest step of the podium. As happened in the recent past, in order not to interrupt the study of the very young riders involved, it was again chosen the Easter time to let them use the days off from school. To respect the celebration of Easter, the Sunday’s competition will start at 1 p.m. that is quite unusual for our specialty. The organizers communicated that it will be possible to follow the whole competition riding the one’s own bike, buying a special pass for 10 euro.

The other 5 rounds of the 2012 season are scheduled for Santo Stefano d’Aveto, Italy on the 7th of July, Krzeszowice, Poland on the 12th of August, Tanvald, Czech Republic on the 19th of August, Isola 2000, France, on the 2nd of September and Zelhem , Holand on the 9th of September.

(UEM Press Release 08/2012)