In early September Victorian Moto Trials rider Brooke Lonie formed part of the first ever Australian Womens Trials des Nations team.

Whilst Brooke was away she agreed to write a diary for www.motorcyclingvic.com.au  to give people an insight into the goings on behind the scenes of an Australian team, and we are pleased to bring you the next extracts from her diary.

Day 10

We were up at 7am this morning to pack the van and drive to Castelloli, where the first of the Women’s World Rounds we were riding was being held. The plan for the day was to have a practise, do a sighting loop to have a look at the sections, sign on and get through machine examination.

It took about an hour and a half until we arrived at the paddock, where all the factory vans and tents were already set up. It looked brilliant, and was massive in comparison to any trials competition I’ve ever been to.

We set up the bikes and went for a walk around the paddock to look at all the trailers and tents the different factories and federations had assembled, which was a real eye opener.

I stopped and talked to Loris at the Sherco tent, absolutely gob smacked that he had remembered who I was. He was interested in how I was riding and even amongst a few jokes he offered to catch for me. It was like the factory all over again, I wasn’t talking properly and when he kissed me my cheeks felt like they were glowing red. One thing I definitely love about Europe is the way they kiss you on both cheeks to greet you. Sorry if I’m going on too much about this, but in my defence I’m still a girl and should be entitled to moments such as these. Getting kissed by the Junior World Champion doesn’t happen everyday.

Following my chat with Loris I returned to the van to get my bike and go for a practise with the girls. The practice area was on the top-side of the hill, right under the sun. Riding up there I began to spot the famous faces. Bou was the first I noticed. Pulling up Raga rode passed, and I could hear Lampkin behind me. And looking to my left was Laia, Dabill, Brown and Fuji. I was wetting myself with excitement, to the point I would have been happy just to sit there and watch all day.

Most of the girls were practising there too, and I managed to introduce myself to a few whilst I was there. I can’t believe how good every single one of them are, I doubt there would be many who couldn’t ride A Grade confidently back in Oz.

I was so star struck and amazed by the talent amongst the girls it was a good half an hour before I started the bike up. And when I did I just couldn’t get myself together. I felt as though all the girls were watching and that I was under the knife. Even though that wasn’t the case, I still felt intimidated. I just didn’t compare to any of them.

After about thirty minutes just practising and getting my confidence back we went back to the van for lunch, but I wasn’t hungry. I was scared.

Following lunch we set out to look at the sections and become familiar with the loop. Cabestany brushed past me on the loop. It didn’t matter to me that he wasn’t looking my way, I was just chuffed that I’d ridden past.

Looking at the sections today was terrifying, everything was so big. I don’t mind big things so much, but it was the shitty little technical bits leading up to the big stuff that had me stressing. How am I possible going to get through tomorrow alive? None of the sections would be below A Grade. It was a torturous three hours brewing nightmares in my head before we had done the loop, and went back to clean the bikes up for technical control. The sections are still playing in my mind.

Jamie and I went into the massive ‘score tent’ and signed on for tomorrow. There were televisions up on the wall of the tent for the scoreboard, there were little separate rooms running off the main one, massive pot plants, shelves and pamphlets and free stuff all in this place. It was amazing.

Anyway I collected my bib, and the starting times sheet from the officials and took my bike around to technical control for inspection. There, they put little paint marks on the motor to make sure no parts were swapped during the night, did noise testing and put my riders number and a FIM Trial sticker on my bike. Jamie and I also got rider number stickers for our helmets. I’m number 27.

After we all had everything sorted out, we packed up and drove to Igualada, about ten minutes from the paddock, where we are currently booked in for the next few nights. Turns out Laia and her Montesa Team are crashing here as well.

Day 11

VERY VERY NERVOUS.

The only way I could explain how I felt went I woke this morning. As soon as we arrived at the paddock I was on my bike trying to get comfortable, which, with all the nerves, took a while. It turned out that a jury had gathered last night to discuss the sections and a number of them had been altered, and section one entirely removed from the round. It was a little relieving to hear this, but I still knew it was going to be hard.

10:36 was my starting time, and all riders had to ride up a ramp onto the big stage where we collected our cards. It was good to see the Aussie Army there as I was riding out the chute, Graham and Michelle Peace, the McKinnon family and the Murray’s all with waves and big grins.

The time limits were definitely something I struggled with today, 90 seconds in the section, 3hrs for the first lap and 2 for the second. I managed to get lost at section 12 on my first lap, and ended up having to do the entire lap again to get back to where I was meant to be. That cost me 20 points in time penalties for lap one, and meant I had to do lap two in less than 2hrs.

Now I’m no quitter, but by the end of the first lap my confidence was so beaten and I was so mentally and physically tired that I wanted to quit. I was ready to put the bike in the van and stop riding. I must thank Jamie for pushing me to toughen up and getting me back out there, thankyou.

My second lap saw me get through a few more sections for threes than the fives I’d gotten on my first lap. A number of them were still fives, but I’d managed to get further through the sections than the previous attempt. Most of the fives I’d gotten today were from exceeding the time limit, and it played a big part in my overall score.

There were three sections throughout today that were so far above my riding level that I chose not to ride them. I was looking to tidy up my riding rather than knock myself around doing sections I knew in myself that I couldn’t do. I ended up with 9 points in time penalties at the end of the second lap, a total of 29 for the day. This pushed me back a few positions in the standings and I finished 26^th. I felt proud that I had finished the day, but still even now I’m mentally and physically beaten, and very tired.

I watched the presentation for the Women at the conclusion of the riding, where Laia was first, Iris Kramer second and Bekky Cook in third. Winning the first round of the Women’s World Championship meant that this victory to Laia had earned her back the title as Women’s World Champion. And I got a photo with the Women’s World Champion too. She is a top girl and is very easy to talk to.

Following the conclusion of the presentation I walked around the paddock and noticed that most of the men were about getting ready for their World Round tomorrow.

I managed to score photos and autographs from Bou, Fuji, Lampkin and Dabill. To my disappointment I couldn’t find Cabestany or Raga, but I know I’ll definitely see them at some point when we come out to watch the Men’s World Round tomorrow.

Day 12

I didn’t sleep in this morning even though I had the option to. I chose to come out to the paddock early with Toby because Kyle and Neil were riding and had early start times. That and I didn’t want to miss a second of my first ever experience of a Men’s World Round.

It was still pretty dark when we arrived, but there were people around and bikes being warmed up. I was all primed to watch the 14-odd kilometre loop being ridden by not only the top guys like Bou and Cabestany, but also by the Australian boys who’d been overseas the past month or so riding the World Rounds. It was definitely good to catch up with Scott Owen and Tim Coleman, both of which are riding very well over here.

I walked the loop today with Graham and Michelle Peace, and it was unbelievable to watch. We got to see most of the sections being ridden by Bou, Lampkin, Dabill, Wigg, Fuji, Raga, Cabestany, Gubian, and Pasquet, as well as Scott, Tim, Jake Whitaker from NZ, and most of the other guys riding the “A” line (World Line).

The crowds at the sections are huge, and most of the spectators are there purely just to watch Bou ride. They flock to the section tape prior to his arrival, and the moment he leaves the end gate they are off to the next section.

Section two we got to pretty early, and we saw most of the riders through before the World guys started to turn up. By now the crowd was growing, but we had already cemented our positions right on the tape.

At one stage I was within 3 metres of Lampkin, Bou, Cabestany, Raga, Dabill and Freixa, while they were walking the section. I was even lucky enough to have Bou standing to my immediate left for a while (totally oblivious to me glowing red and heart racing) touching me in his lycra and passing his not yet sweaty scent on to me.

It was all breath-taking to watch, and was definitely one of the most surreal and exciting things in my life to date. Walking the loop twice was very hard work, but was good not to have to endure alone. Thanks Peacey and Michelle for doing it with me.

Bou took out the round convincingly with Raga in second and Fajardo in third. Being the last of the Men’s World Rounds, Bou also won the World Title, with Raga falling second best to him for the second year, and Fuji rounding out third.

Today I luckily caught up with Cabestany and Raga and got their autographs as well as photos with them.

The 2009 Beta was unleashed at the conclusion of the day, and not long after this we departed from Castelloli and began the drive back to Jordi’s. It was a very late night for me, but the aftermath of the past few days meant sleep was no issue at all.

Day 13

Today Michelle, Toby and myself made a little day trip out to Andorra to have a look around.

It’s a beautiful city built in the middle of the mountains, which, being its own country, is patrolled on the border and riddled with policemen wanting to see your passports, in your vehicles and products you may have bought during your visit. Arriving back at Jordi’s we saw that some of the Norwegian Team had arrived, and we quickly introduced ourselves. Connie, the girl who’s staying here with us, is 20 and a very good rider. She’s bunking in with Kristie and myself.

I managed to get my washing done for the first time so far on the trip, and it took me a long time to get through. I ploughed through it as quickly as I could, and afterward went for a ride until dark with Kristie, Neil, Kyle and the Norwegians.

We have just come back from being out for dinner where, once again, I managed to sneak in a snooze. It’s becoming a ritual of mine to sleep at dinner, as well as on the car ride there and home again.

It’s all very hard work for me I assure you, and I can almost guarantee that if you were to see one of the Aussies who were on this trip when we get home, it’s likely they have a picture of me sleeping in the most ridiculous of places.

Day 14

We went out to the place in La Rabassa, Andorra where the next Women’s World Round and the TdN are being held, and had a quick look around the paddock. Each of the countries has a tent set up with their name on it, and ours is about half way down, in between Ireland and Noway.

We had a women’s training session today with Jordi Pasquet and Marcel Justribo, in the same areas as some of our sections for the World Round. I was in Jordi’s group with most of the better of the girls, and struggled throughout the day with many of the sections we set.

I didn’t enjoy myself as much as I could have, and found myself not taking part because some things were just too hard. While I was happy to watch and learn from the other girls doing it, I felt a bit reserved and didn’t try some things they were doing. I’m thinking about joining Marcel’s group tomorrow to try and enjoy myself a bit more.

At 1:30, we went to the restaurant for lunch, where, once again, I was caught napping. I’ve been so tired lately and meal times are the only time my body stops work and slows down.

After lunch we loaded back up and returned to Jordi’s, where I slept for about an hour. I then went out for a ride with Michelle and Kristie, and Neil and Simon turned up where we were practising and taught me to do splats. We spent about 3hrs riding, and then I went back to the workshop to do some maintenance on my bike.

Days 15 to 18 to follow later this week...

Brooke's Trials Tales - Days 6 to 9

Brooke's Trials Tales - Days 1 to 5