This episode we take a tour of trials from an Irish perspective. Robert Crawford is our guest this week; He and I had such a great chat I have decided to split it across two episodes rather than cut it back.
Robert is from Northern Ireland and his career includes a number of significant highlights:
7th in the World Trial Championship (overall)
2nd in the British Championship
Twice winner of the Scott Trial
Twice 2nd in the Scottish 6 Days Trial
Multi Irish Champion
Finalist in the Madrid Indoor Trial
Represented Great Britain (ACU) in the Trial Des Nations (World Team Trial) in 1990, 1991 & 1992
In these two episodes we take our time to reflect on the difference in trials between the early 90's and now, plus discuss his trials original story.
He reflects on some of the challenges facing Trials as a sport that need to be worked out, including the economics of competing that differ.
When Robert was riding there was one line and about 100 entrants in a world round. Now, there is significant fragmentation and multiple classes.
This is also good opportunity to go back and listen to Episode 12 with Don Murray, who minded for Robert in his last year of competition.
In Part 2 of this chat in the next episode we also have a very frank chat about Roberts reflection on his time in the sport and how he dealt with a period of his career where he lost the passion for the sport. We also discuss the work he is doing on rc-live.net which is his training and tours business. Links are in the show notes.
I hope you enjoy this chat with Robert Crawford.
Links:
Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au