Former World Junior Trials Champion, Alexz Wigg from the UK was the guest coach at the first Gas Gas Motos Junior Development Camp over the weekend at Wroxton Grange in the Barossa Valley. Alexz was in the country to do a number of coaching clinics due to the efforts of Phil Whittle, Team Manager of the Australian Trials des Nations Team.
A huge thanks must also to Greg & Cynthia Knight from Sherco Moto SA for hosting Alexz & Phil, the Zander family for allowing their family property of Wroxton to be used for the camp and the Keyneton MCC for the use of their excellent Clubrooms for lunch each day and the meet & greet BBQ.
14 of SA's finest trials riders of all levels fronted each day to spend a day with Alexz, and he certainly put each and every rider through their paces – and made them step out of their comfort zones. He not only worked on the basics of turns, clutch & brake control, bike positioning and reading sections, he also 'raised the bar' somewhat as he pushed all of the riders to the next level, whether it was the youngest riders going over obstacles for the first time, or more experienced riders 'splatting' and 'punching' rocks that had always looked too big.
Alexz was an excellent teacher and explained things in such an easy and confidence raising level, that all of our riders finished the days tired, but with big smiles on their faces.
South Australia's recently named Australian Trials des Nation team riders, Sofie Kraft and Connor Hogan were also able to spend some quality time with Alexz, working on the no stop techniques they will have to ride and gaining an insight about what they will face in Europe this year in their travels, something that will hopefully prove invaluable as they also will be riding in the Trial World Championships as well.
Perhaps the finest moment of the weekend was Alexz spending some time with our newest trials rider, Oliver, who at 6 years old was having his first ride. After a very shy start where he didn't want to let go of Mum's leg, Oliver got game and just before lunch Alexz had him playing follow the leader and also standing up as he rode the bike for the very first time.
Moto Trials SA would also like to thank our SA coaches who were also on hand to help Alexz, Rob White and Brenton Hogan, as well as the parents who helped 'mind' and 'catch' on the day - Shane Kraft, Craig Ahrens, Jarrod Barwick, Andrew Tarrant and Mark Eardley- without you guys our riders wouldn't be trying these new things - and John & Rachel Cowan for the awesome album of pics from the Saturday - with more to come I believe!
Here is the link - Photo Gallery