Ettore Baldini – 26 April 1956 – 10 January 2017 – Photo by Claudio Pictures
It is with deep regret that we have to report the passing of another trials friend, Italian Ettore Baldini, who has died as a result of a heart attack.
Ettore was a competitive rider who started his trials career on a Montesa Cota 247, taking second place in the Italian Trials Championship at the tender age of 19. In 1977 he won his first national title for Bultaco, repeating this again in 1979 again on the Spanish machine. Baldini left Bultaco in 1979 to join American, Bernie Schreiber at Italjet.
Ettore signed for Montesa, which he rode until the end of his career in 1985. He was many times in the top 15 in the world trials championship.
Realising his development skills, Ettore was employed by Aprilia to develop their model ‘TX 311’ and then the ‘Climber’ model which would become the world championship winning machine in 1992 in the hands of Tommy Ahvala.
Latterly Ettore worked for Ducati.
Trials Guru extends our sincere condolonces to the Baldini family.
Photo courtesy and copyright of Claudio Pictures/Jean-Claude Commeat
Hawick rider and former Scottish Champion, Graham F. Smith (240 SWM) at the Lanarkshire Valente Trial at Kilsyth in 1979 – Photo: Ian Robertson, Midlothian
We at Trials Guru are always looking for new material and old material for that matter, well we just found some for you!
Scottish trials enthusiast Ian T. Robertson from Midlothian has been friends with Trials Guru’s John Moffat for over 40 years and he has opened up his personal archive for us to see.
Please, as usual, be respective of Ian’s copyright, he is the legal owner of these images, please do not share without permission.
Go straight to see the photos that Ian has ‘unearthed’ on Trials Guru… Here!
The Premier Trial Sport Website for photos, articles, news and the history of motorcycle trials
Midlothian rider and joint Scottish Champion in 1978, John Winthrop (348 Lloyd Montesa) Valente Trial, 1979 – Photo: Ian Robertson, Midlothian
Our contributor, Oliver Barjon from Champagne in France has informed us that the seven times Belgian Trials Champion, Claude Vanstenagen passed away on November 19th 2016.
He was Belgian National Trials Champion 1963, 64, 1966-1970.
Riding both Greeves and Bultaco machinery, Claude also competed in the European Championships (The Challenge Henry Groutards), the fore-runner to the current world series in which his best position was 7th in 1969.
On Tuesday 27th December 2016, Red Bull TV released their documentary film on ‘Dougie Lampkin – Wheelie Man’ – exclusively on their web network.
Produced by Scots born film-maker, Stu Thomson, a trials rider and Downhill MTB competitor, this gives a fantastic insight to the preparations undertaken for the wheelie attempt around the world famous Isle of Man TT circuit.
Red Bull’s press statement read:
“This is an enthralling and must watch documentary like no other. This unique production provides an exclusive behind the scenes insight and much previously unseen personal footage, including some moving scenes as Dougie deals with a close and personal tragedy.
In late 2016, Red Bull athlete and twelve-time FIM Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin attempted to make history by becoming the first rider to successfully wheelie the entire 37.7 miles of the iconic Isle of Man TT mountain course, live on TV.
Red Bull TV follows the Trial legend’s preparation as he rides the highs and lows of his most ambitious project yet.
Blending archive footage with never-seen-before interviews, the documentary delves into the dynasty of the Lampkin family. This includes Dougie speaking for the first time about the death of his father, Martin Lampkin, earlier this year. A man who would have normally been at his side throughout the challenge.
As the attempt draws ever closer, the pressure of stepping into the unknown with a World-first challenge begins to sink in and take its toll, as cracks in Dougie’s usually unfaltering confidence begin to show.
When the big day finally arrives, gale force winds batter the island resulting in an unwanted and unscheduled twenty-four-hour postponement of the attempt.
Soon it will be time for Dougie to take centre stage and write his own chapter in motorcycling history with the biggest physical and mental test of his career.
Watch the drama unfold as Dougie Lampkin – Wheelie Man takes you on what can only be described as the ultimate emotional rollercoaster ride.“
Dougie Lampkin on his specially adapted Vertigo 300 which he used for his one-wheeled lap of the Isle of Man ‘Mountain Circuit’ on 25th September 2016 – Photo courtesy: Red Bull TV (copyright)
Our new decals are proving popular, here we have top southern rider Ricky Wiggins from Yeovil who now rides Beta, has the decal fixed onto his helmet. Thanks Ricky!
Trials Guru’s John Moffat sends you our 2016 seasonal message – we couldn’t do it without you! – Photo: John Hulme/Trials Media/Trial Magazine UK
A seasonal message from Trials Guru:
It’s December and here in Trials Guruland it’s cold and wet outside. For sure, there are trials going on regardless of the weather, but it’s a good time to take stock of the past year and to make plans and look forward to the future.
We have had some great times in the sport this year, but also some sad ones too, with the loss of H. Martin Lampkin, the worlds’ first Trials Champion. However, we will be extending our special tribute section ‘Lampkin of Silsden‘ in the new year by adding a feature about Martin by way of tribute to a great rider and sportsman of our age.
Trials Guru would not function if it wasn’t for you, the reader, the user of this website.
So many thanks for ‘looking in’ either regularly or occasionally, you choose how you use Trials Guru, you are our guest.
We hope you enjoy the experience, if not why not tell us?
You after all, have been responsible for making ‘Trials Guru’:
The Premier Trial Sport Website for photos, articles, news and the history of motorcycle trials!
To the photographers who have given us their work to showcase, the world over as it happens, because we now have viewers from all over the globe, day in day out, night in, night out!
The photographers are super people who trust Trials Guru to act sensibly and to display their handiwork by acknowledging every single image, that is what we do. Every image has the words: ‘Photo courtesy of’ or ‘Copyright of’. We are always respective of the photographers property, please do likewise and do not copy and display elsewhere without first obtaining permission. We can help, send us a request and we will see if we can obtain permission for you.
So a huge thank you to our photographers!
Don’t forget the Trial event organisers, officials, observers and of course the riders themselves… Thank you all!
Thanks are due to the trials media and press who support us: Sean Lawless; John Hulme; Nige Pearson and many more. We obtain their permission from time to time to represent their articles when the opportunity allows.
We work with the trials press and media whenever possible, Trials Guru co-operates
We are already working on plans for 2017 which will be with us in a few days, to bring you more articles, facts, figures, photos and information from the world of motorcycle trials.
Keep visiting, we will try hard to bring you what we were set up for, because we are:
Rainer Heise (left) with Mick Andrews and Felix Krahnstover
Rainer Heise, photojournalist with Trialsport Magazine, Germany:
“…I had the opportunity to have a look at Trials Guru again and I must say you haven’t only been able to maintain the level, it’s even increased. There is so much material worth reading. I can’t list everything, but I always find new details and have fun”.
Nick Jefferies in 1977 at the SSDT on Blackwater, on the factory RTL Honda – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
Nick Jefferies, former CCM & Honda factory trials rider & winner Manx Grand Prix says:
“Having only just ‘found’ Trials Guru – I love it! Congratulations on producing this site. There is so much truly interesting reading. I’m finding it difficult doing any work!!”
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The Premier Trial Sport Website for photos, articles, news and the history of motorcycle trials
With sympathy, we report the passing of Bernard Cordonnier, Belgian Trials Champion 1987 on Fantic, former world championship contender and rider of Bultaco; Fantic; SWM & JCM on Saturday 17th December 2016 aged 56 years.
Bernard’s best position was 7th in the 1983 World Championship on an Italian SWM machine.
Bernard Cordonnier (SWM) in the 1983 Scottish Six Days at Kinlochleven – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
Former World Trials Champion 1981 and three times French National Champion, Gilles Burgat sent Trials Guru these words in memory of his friend: “On 17th December, the trial family lost a great rider and I lost a great friend. I met Bernard when I was eighteen years of age and he was a little older. This was in 1980 for my first season at the world championships. We rapidly became good friends as we were speaking the same language. Bernard was the most French of the Belgian riders and he was always hanging out with the French riders. He became my team-mate at Fantic Motor a couple years later”.
Fantic Motor Team – John Lampkin (GB); Renato Chiaberto (I); Bernard Cordonnier (B) & Gilles Burgat (F)
“He was such a great person and a great rider. We frequently travelled together for the world championships or to go to the SSDT. When we stopped riding, we lost contact but a couple of years ago we met again for a trial classic in the Mont Ventoux in France. He was the same Bernard, always in a good mood and always very nice. Last year he was my team-mate along with Fred Michaud for the 2015 VTC classic trial in Mont Ventoux”.
Mont Ventoux 2015 – Fred Michaud, Bernard Cordonnier & Gilles Burgat – all good friends in the sport of trial
“This was probably the last time he rode a trial competition. Bernard leaves behind two children. They can be very proud of their Dad. I present my sincere condolences to his family”. – Gilles Burgat
Our sincere condolences go to the Cordonnier family at this difficult time.
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Bernard Cordonnier (JCM) in 1986 during the Scottish Six Days Trial on ‘Lagnaha’ – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
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