The "TriAl’p Cup" project had been germinating for some time in the minds of trials enthusiasts on both sides of the Franco-Swiss border, and 2009 was the year that this new international competition came to fruition. It will take place over four rounds, half of which will be organised alongside the Rhône Alpes Cup and the other alongside the Swiss Cup. The first round took place on the 26th of April in Chambéry (France) and the second was on the 3rd of May in Ropraz (Switzerland). These two rounds will be followed by a third in Tramelan (Switzerland) on the 14th of June and a fourth in Petit Cœur (France). This Cup has been organised to allow riders to measure themselves up against riders from other regions and other countries, to discover new competitions and to gain experience on an international level.
Jean-Pascal Depallens, the Swiss organiser, aka "Djeep" on the internet, has written this résumé of the first two rounds of the TriAl’p Cup 2009. The superb photos come from Janick Depallens, aka Nini, who has just opened his own website, dedicated to trials photography, which he has called ByNini in homage to the master, PhotobySergio! It’s a shame that the photos can only be viewed in low-res, but we like it all the same!
Act I - Chambéry - France
This round...
The TriAl’p Cup got off to a great start in Chambéry on Sunday the 26th of April. The first round took place on the Combe Noire trials park, over the same sections as the first round of the Rhône-Alpes Cup. Close to 200 riders turned up to take part in the regional and the Franco-Swiss competition, and the organisation, taken care of by the Passion Trial Chambéry club, who are used to organising such big events, went without a hitch and the 16 sections prepared by club president Eric Nobile and his team were of excellent quality! There is a full write-up of the competition in the article Rhônes-Alpes cup #1.
The series...
As for the TriAl’p Cup, following this first round Guillaume Dunand leads the Elite category, ahead of Nicolas Luque and Léo Nobile, whil Yann Dunant leads Expert, with Gil Alkema and Léo Béard in second and third respectively. Swiss rider David Bonzon is in first position in the Challenge-Cadet category, followed by Thibaud Silvestre and Adrien Pontier. There were close to 100 riders who entered this opening round of the new Franco-Swiss series.
Photos...
Guillaume Dunand & Nicolas Luque...
Act II - Ropraz - Suisse
This round...
Sunday the 3rd of May 2009 is a day that will go down in the history of Swiss trials. Perfectly organised and orchestrated by Jean-Daniel Savary, the first round of the 2009 Swiss cup, which also constituted the 2nd round of the TriAl’p Cup was a day to be remembered!
A record 180 riders from Switzerland, France, Monaco and Belgium made their way to Ropraz for the competition, and the weather was perfect for the 1000+ spectators from Switzerland, France, Monaco and Belgium who were lining the sections ready to take in the action.
In the Elite category, Guillaume Dunand took the victory again, ahead of Thomas Persicot. Jérôme Chapuis took up the third TriAl’p podium spot, but celebrated his first Swiss Elite victory. It was a particularly cruel day for the Swiss; Loris Braun injured himself during the warm-up, Stefan Moor opened the stitches in his leg and Cyril Jeker dislocated his shoulder on his very last move of the day. This was a terrible blow for the young Elite rider, who had been gearing his season towards the Swiss Championship and the Junior World Championships. If his participation in the Swiss Championship (27th June at Vordemwald) seems compromised, he has assured us that he will do everything that he can in order to be able to take part in the Worlds in New Zealand.
In the Challenge category, the order remained the same; Yann Dunant and Léo Béard dominated third placed Louka Réal. Louka won the Swiss part of the competition however, celebrating his first Challenge win. The young David Bonzon, competing in his first competition in this category, took second place in the Swiss competition, showing himself to be a real challenger to Réal. Daniele Meierhans beat Ian Meyer, Gregory Zumthurn and Jérémy Brechbühl to third place.
In the Youth category, French riders Stephan and Rousset left Brian Allaman the bronze. Allaman won the Swiss Cup round in this category however, ahead of Eric Demierre and the very young Johan Buchwalder.
The series...
The TriAl’p Cup is on a hiatus now until the 15th of June in Tramelan.
After two of the four rounds, the French have a firm hold on the Elite category, with Guillaume Dunand, Nicolas Luque and Léo Nobile in the top spots. The highest placed Swiss rider is Cyril Jeker in fifth.
In Expert, Yann Dunant, Léo Béard and Clément Boniface, all French, leave the Belgian Gil Alkema in fourth place. Again, the highest placed swiss rider is in fifth place - Louka Réal.
In Cadet, It is Swiss rider David Bonzon who is in charge, ahead of French riders Thibaud Silvestre and Axel Benyoub.
In the Minime, Benjamin and Schoolboy categories, Swiss riders Brian Allaman, Steve Jordan and Romain Bellanger are in first, second and third respectively.
Complete series standings for the TriAl’p Cup following these two rounds can be seen here.
Photos...
Guillaume Dunand, Jérôme Chapuis, Karin Moor, Loris Braun, Louka Réal, Nicolas Luque & Stefan Moor...
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