dressler.cz - biketrial, cyklotrial, trial, shop, forum, TRIALmag, Dressler camp a další informace ze světa trialu

Serious riding of trials I started in 1996 when some guys found that in Ugale (place I lived) some times have been trials riders and contacted us.

Then I got my first Monty – B221 with hydraulic brakes. That was something. And on 1997 again I went for my world championship round and again in Brezova. Competition was not very successful for me but since 1997 every year I do any of BIU WCH rounds. Seems that this year first since 1997 I will pass WCH round - China. My best memories of WCH I have from Kutna Hora (again Czech republic) 2004 when first Year I started with 26 inch bike and in Expert class I finished 4th – this is my best result.

What are you doing in trials now?
At the moment I do not ride as much as I have done that before but I really enjoy this sport. With help of local municipality in Ugale we have made great indoor and my father still works in Karters biketrial school to grow up new good riders.

How about your school?
In February 2009 will be 2 years since I started to teach new riders in Riga – Capital of Latvia. At the moment I have about 15 students starting from 5 years and also older riders who are over 30 and want to learn biketrial better. My father has spent very big time by developing biketrial rider certification programme which helps motivate riders to do all exercises from which there is no immediate return.

For example in first level you have to go on two euro platforms, stand on bike two minutes, jump around front wheel 360 + 360 and etc. All together 7 exercises and if you do all you get certificate from club. Nice and effective system.

How is trials riding organized in Latvia?
For trials competitions in Latvia we are under motorcycle federation and Latvian championship is held together with mototrials riders on same day, same sections. This is good for bicycles as we can have lot of national rounds (6 – 8 per year) but minus is that sections are not always good (not for bicycles) as only one round is made by bicycle riders as there is only one biketrial club in Latvia. Besides Latvian championship we have public events with better show.

During year we have 6 – 8 national championship round, about 3-4 club level events and then Riga open Freestyle trials event. Last one is great to attend and for classical trial I can suggest national round in Liepaja – nice place to design great sections for biketrial. Maybe we can make European championship there.

Once I was there in Riga for the show contest. Vasek Kolar won this event in 2008. Tell us something more about this event and its idea.
It is Bike battle where you have to show all Your trials skills and get good marks from judges. On 2005 was first time when such event was made and it was a big experiment but it was big success and we have made similar event with good prize money also on 2007 and 2008. Last one was one by Vaclav Kolar, great style.

Is there more street riders or competition riders?
As I calculate there are totally about 80 trials riders and in competitions participate about 30 of them. Others are in streets or do the sport for own pleasure.

Are you riding under BIU or UCI?
BIU

For those who doesn't know much about Latvia. Tell us something about your country.
I want to believe Latvia is friendly country. Please, note that we are not Russia. There are about 30% of Russians in Latvia but we have own language and big traditions. At the moment country is in deep shit because of economics.

Are there any trials activities in other Baltic countries?
In Estonia trials was on top 3-4 years ago but now it goes down because good rider have left sport. It is opposite in Lithuania. Sport is growing and they are attending our competitions. In rider numbers other Baltic countries have fewer riders than in Latvia.

Do you already have biketrial events list for 2009? Would you recommend some event to Czech riders?
We have calendar for national rounds. If You are interested please attend national round in Ugale which is organized by our club www.karters.lv on 11th July, welcome. And of course Riga Freestyle trials. I hope we will make it also this year.

And finally..... Are you going to come to join Dressler Camp in 2009?? :-)
I hope so