Geoff Aaron to Defend El Trial de Espana Title This Weekend

Kit Palmer | May 21, 2004

Things are shaping up nicely for this weekend’s 35th Annual El Trial de Espana in Reed Valley, located about 18 miles south of Temecula, California. Tomorrow will be a full day of trials competition for the amateurs and Pros, while Sunday will be set aside for the Pro Exhibition class only.

In previous years, the El Trial de Espana has be a round of the AMA/NATC U.S. National Championship Trials Series, but this year the event will stand alone as a non-National points-paying event. As a result, some of the top U.S. trials riders won’t be attending this year’s event, but two of this year’s best will be on hand six-time National Trials Champion Geoff Aaron (pictured) and Montesa’s Chris Florin, who is currently second to Aaron in points in this year’s series, so, while this year’s event might not be as deep in talent as in previous years, the top two riders in the country will be there. In fact, they were there today, warming up for the weekend and putting on a spectacular show for the early weekend arrivals.

The El Trial de Espana was created by trials legend Fred Belair in 1970 as a fundraiser to support American riders in Europe, where the sport of trials flourishes. One of those American riders who benefited from the El Trial de Espana was Bernie Schreiber who went on to win the World title in 1979 the only American rider to do so. Today, the El Trial de Espana uses the net proceeds to support the U.S. team at the Trials des Nations, where four-man team compete for world honors.

To get there, head to Temecula and take highway 79 south and bear left on highway 371. Go approximately three miles and turn left on Wilson Valley Road, and then turn right on Reed Valley Road. Go two miles and turn left.

For more information, go to www.atatrials.com.

Kit Palmer | Off-Road Editor

Kit Palmer started his career at Cycle News in 1984 and he’s been testing dirt and streetbikes every since – plus covering any event that uses some form of a knobby tire. He’s also our resident motorcycle mileage man with a commute of 120 miles a day.