Motorcycling Australia (M.A.) have had their funding cut this year as the government has decided to pour as much as possible into the Australian Olympic team for the big event this year.
This could ultimately mean that M.A. will not be in a position to fund international teams for 2016 which would be very disappointing for motorcycling sports here in Australia and particularly those who are close to a particular motorcycling discipline in which the Australian team has flown the flag prominently on the international stage.
2015 saw the Australian Men’s Trials des Nations team stand proudly on the podium and the women put in a credible effort against the best in the world. It is these team members that the young trial riders of today look up to with their individual aspirations to one day represent Australia at this prestigious event.
Licensed Trial riders only represent about 5% of the overall number of competition licences issued by M.A. however our trial family is recognised as being one of the most active disciplines when compared across the board. This is partly because we have a collective of likeminded people who recognize that our sport is a true family orientated and the safest motorcycling discipline of them all.
If we didn’t send a team in 2016 then not only would we lose the momentum we have built up over the last decade on the International scene but it could also have a negative affect with our up and coming champions. I’m sure the following of the 2015 teams on social media had a positive effect on our sport and this was no more obvious than on facebook and on Trials Australia.
The cost of entering a Trials des Nation team of seven riders, 2 minders and a manager falls somewhere in the vicinity of $50K which may seem excessive, however when all the costs are identified it’s a pretty tight budget. As a comparison each gold medal Australia has won in past Olympics has cost us $50,000.000 so we’re not doing too badly as a team of 10.
This year the riders, minders and manager are going to have to put their hands in the pockets if they are going to continue the TdN tradition which may be out of the question for some of the past and recent participants. So if you're interested in supporting the team this year please contact Phil Whittle who would be more than happy to answer any questions about the event or what is expected of a team member. For those in the Trials community who wish to help in other ways then please consider supporting the fund raising initiatives that will be launched in the near future.
If you haven't already, follow the 'Trial des Nations Team Australia' Facebook page.
Phil Whittle
0415 861 036
ptreng@bigpond.com