Oceanic Challenge - What happened??????????

[Axel]

No news on the Oceanic Challenge?? Did no one go??

[nipper]

Here are the results !!

[Axel]

Thanks for the results Nipper. It is a shame this event isn't promoted more. A bit of a missed opportunity for the sport.

[nipper]

Your right there Axel. Little point of frontin up if you cannot send the best to support our best junior. Dead set, those kiwis are a tuff toss, and at home they are always gunna be tuffa.

[keithj]

Yep, the Aussies got flogged.

Full results now online here:
http://www.trials.com.au/absolut/articl ... cleID=1752

[Axel]

I must say I am surprised at the lack of interest in this event. Why is this? A perfect marketing opportunity!

MA provides some funding. Although this is only a small part of the expense for our riders competing in NZ, I strongly believe that where there is some funding, more can be found. MA likes winners!

Sending development riders is a great concept, but they should be also competing and traveling with the best we have to gain maximum experience.

The Kiwis set up the challenge in their toughest conditions, completely alien conditions to our riders, and hit us with the best riders they have on their own bikes! Our riders may gain experience, but it can also be the wrong type of experience if they are completely out of their league and struggle the whole event.

Let's take up the challenge in 2010. Run the event at Pacific Park, nice dry, grippy, large rocks. Award "Oceanic Champion" to all grades, regardless if they are on the "team". Add a women's section. Enter Colin as the Expert, Kyle as the Youth, and Kevin as the Masters. (Of course there may be other riders equally as talented, this is just an example). This should sufficiently flog them in return!

[Warren Laugesen]

Axel, I would like to reply to your coments. As a competitor and team member on numerous times and advicate for this event I have personally been pushing for this to have higher recognition for the last 10 years.

Firstly the only people not interested in this event is the Aussies who tend to treat it as a training day at a second rate event. Back here it is and always has been treated as a major event second only to our own champs. It gets major regoinal and National press coverage and we have always tried to send our best available team when held on your dirt.

The funding doesnt come from MA but the Oceania committee via the FIM. This has always been one of the major stumbling blocks for the whole thing and all they want to do is reduce or retain the same funding we have had for the last 10 years.

Our terrain is so much different to your own and we have all possible types here (unlike Aus) also including big dry grippy ones so your plan may be slightly flawed. Remember is is always easier going from riding slippery conditions to dry but very hard going from dry to slippery. There will also be a number of us (me included) competing at Pacific Park this year so we will be well practiced. Bring on your best team next time here but somehow I dont think you will get the Zars to NZ?

You may not be aware but we had Takumi Narita from Japan out here for this event and plans are under way at the top MA/MNZ/FIM level to form a new Pan Pacific regoin in this part of the world. This is not only for trials but also Road/MX etc as Japan really wants to compete with us all. This is not going to happen over night but hopefully within the next few years we will be competing against a full Japanese team.

If this was the case then I am sure MA will soon want to change thier selection criteria and view on this event to include a full strength team and give it more recognition? So why wait and why not make changes for next year now. It is a different team make up to the TDN which has always been the issue so where is the problem?

I think it is up to you Aussie riders who want change to voice your opinions to your commissioners as they are the ones that can do it.

Cheers
Warren Laugesen

[Axel]

Hmmmm........

I was hoping to stir up some interest in this event....... but wasn't expecting complete apathy!

[Steve Holzhauser]

To me the current format of calling for applications from riders for International selection should be scrapped. This existing format must do little for the esteem of Colin, Kyle, Neil,Kevin and the other top proven riders of the day.These men should be given an invitation to represent their country and offered first refusal if circumstances see them unable to accept.. The best riders should be selected on merit and be financial supported by MA with the funds received from the Trials communities financial contribution to MA coffeurs. This has not been happening for far to long.
Reading Warrens item shows how fortunate New Zealand are to have such an experienced capable person heading their Trials direction into the future. He has for years campaigned to get the Oceanic Challenge seen as a very important event on the Trials calender and must feel very let down with results of his efforts.
I think Warrens last comments should be looked at by our top guns and see if our commissioners can work towards the strongest team being selected for International competition.

Steve.