JTG's Pol position
By TMX Archives on 3rd Feb 12
THE eagerly awaited Jotagas (JTG) trials machine, the brain-child of seven-times World Trials Champion Jordi Tarres, made its competition debut in the third round of the World X-Trial Championship in the hands of Jordis nephew Pol Tarres in Marseilles, France, last weekend.
Pol is by no means an indoor specialist and the whole team was well pleased when the new bike came through its baptism of fire unscathed.
And although knocked-out before the finals, they were jubilant that they finished ahead of Alfredo Gomez, Michael Brown and Alex Ferrer.
The Jotagas is, as most of you already know, an all-new machine that displays contemporary design with a twist.
The rear suspension is where it is all at with a rising rate linkage mounted on the right hand side of the machine.
This looks more like mountain bike practise and while it has its own practical advantages it also allows more room for the airbox and exhaust system.
The Jotagas sports a special forged aluminium frame with integral fuel tank, which takes the Beta idea a stage further being of very compact design.
A similarly manufactured swinging-arm completes the chassis.
The engine is a conventional single-cylinder two-stroke along conventional modern trials lines incorporating a three-plate clutch and five-speed gearbox.
Fuelling is via a Dell Orto carburettor, with digital ignition.
Front forks are Tech with an Olle 3V System controlling the rear link. Both front and rear ends sport 175mm of movement.
Brakes are the latest compact Formula, again utilising MTB technology.
Pol Tarres said after the Marseilles debut: "I have not managed to qualify for Saturday's final, however I am very pleased to have debuted with the JT in an Indoor, characterised by its difficulty and length of all the sections.
"The bike has performed very well and has not given me any problems. Marseille has been a good test for both the bike and me.”
Meanwhile, David Millan also turned-out on a 300 model in the first round of the Aragon regional championship achieving a second place finish behind Hector Gairín which was deemed more than satisfactory.
David said: "It was a technical trial and the engine was great. I thought I could win but when I started the third lap, I only had 10 minutes to ride six sections.
"I asked for fives in three of them to get to the end in time and not be disqualified. Then, to my surprise, the organisation decided to extend the running time at the end of competition.
"If I had known about the time I would have completed the sections and won the trial!”
Britain's JTG importer is of course legendary British trials ace Steve Saunders and the big news this week is that Steve will have a Jotagas on display at Alan Wright's Classic Bike Show at Telford this weekend.
If you make it to Telford you can't miss the International Exhibition Centre – but be warned, it will be incredibly busy so allow yourself plenty of time to get parked.
