U.S. Team Prepares For 2011 Trial Des Nations In Italy

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), in partnership with
the North American Trials Council (NATC), has announced the men's
and women's teams for the 2011 Trial des Nations in Tolmezzo,
Italy, on Sept. 18-19.
The U.S. men's team is composed of riders Keith Wineland from
Fountain, Colo., Bryan Roper from Glendale, Ariz., Karl Davis Jr.
from Ormond Beach, Fla., and Eric Storz from Ventura, Calif., with
Andrew Oldar from Aguanga, Calif., as an alternate. For the U.S.
women's team, the competitors are Louise Forsley from Bernardston,
Mass., Sarah Duke from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Caroline Allen
from Norton, Mass., along with alternate Rachel Hassler from
Albuquerque, N.M.
"MotoTrials continues to attract new riders to the sport every
year, and much of that has to do with the inspirational rides and
increased international recognition our riders earn at events such
as the Trial des Nations," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley.
"The Trial des Nations brings together the best trials riders in
the world, and it is an honor for AMA racers to compete at this
event. We're looking forward to a strong showing in Italy this
September."
Brian Behling, CEO of the NATC, said that he expects experience to
play a role in the U.S. team's showing.
"We are very proud to be taking a young and eager team to represent
the United States at the Trial des Nations," Behling said. "Both
the men and women will be led by experienced Trial des Nations
veterans in Keith and Louise, as well as Sarah and Caroline, so
expectations are high for a good result. They have all worked hard
to achieve success in the AMA/NATC National MotoTrials series and
will do their best to make U.S. MotoTrials fans proud of their
efforts."
Kip Webb will be the men's team manager, and Behling will serve as
the women's team manager. The team selection process and other
background information about the U.S. Trial des Nations effort is
outlined on the NATC's website at MotoTrial.us.
The sport of trials involves riders navigating their motorcycles
over seemingly impossible terrain. The Trial des Nations began in
Europe in 1983 as a way to bring the best trials riders from each
country together to compete as teams, and it has evolved into one
of the most anticipated motorcycle events of the year. Each
competing country fields two teams: a men's team consisting of four
riders and a women's team consisting of three riders.