Emma Bristow ready to battle the boys
By John Dickinson on 14th Jun 18
Fresh from her back-to-back wins at the opening round of the TrialGP Womens series in Japan, defending FIM Womens Trial World Champion Emma Bristow will create a piece of history, having taken the brave decision to compete directly against her male counterparts this coming weekend.
Not since the great Laia Sanz, then the FIM Womens Trial World Champion, competed in what was known as the FIM Junior Trial World Cup back in 2011, has the series witnessed the current top lady pitting her skills against male rivals. Emma will be the first girl to compete in Trial2.
The Sherco factory proposed the idea, and 27-year-old Bristow seized the invitation and submitted a last minute request to be approved by both the FIM and the promoter Sport7 as a wildcard entrant.
Given Emmas outstanding ability and that she has fared well competing against men in events such as the Scottish Six Days Trial, both parties immediately accepted her application. Emma will, of course, use a 250cc machine in Andorra, with her more familiar 300cc two-stroke Sherco not being eligible for Trial2.
Speaking about this exciting opportunity Emma said: It came as quite a surprise, but as soon as Sherco suggested the idea I jumped at the chance.
I would like to thank both the FIM and Sport7 for reacting so quickly to my request and for giving me this great opportunity. I know it is going to be tough as there are so many good riders in Trial2, but having watched some videos I am happy that most of the sections should be within my capability.
I am most nervous about qualification as there will be a lot of attention on me, but once that is out of the way I am really looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully I can put together some good rides and get a respectable result not only for me but for Womens Trial.
More like this…
Trial World Championship - Andorra looks up for grabs!
After the excitement of Japan, just two weeks ago – totally foiling Repsol Honda’s Toni Bou’s plans of achieving his 100th TrialGP victory in front of the Honda top brass – the series is back in action with the third round in Andorra this weekend.
Gas Gas go big in Japan - full GP report
The TrialGP of Japan really saw the cats running riot amongst the pigeons.
Busto takes maiden victory as Bristow wins again
The sensational shake-up at the very top of the sport continued on the second day of TrialGP Japan - round two of the 2018 FIM Trial World Championship - at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.