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Rally

This years Alto Turia rally took place in the rock infested mountains near Valencia in the last week of April. A small field of riders (only 35!!) tackled the 1200km rally in the worst weather conditions since the event began two years ago.

Although this part of Spain normally has blazing sunshine and clear skies at this time of year, the weather turned on day three and the last half of the event was spent in thunderstorms, pouring rain and hail. There was still snow on top of the mountains. The wet and cold conditions were a problem for many riders, most of whom did not have proper winter riding gear. Improvisation became the order of the day and there were a few black bin bags strapped around riders by Thursday.

The rally is run on "Rally Raid" rules. The riders have to navigate by roadbook and trip computer, with occasional GPS help. Running from the rally base at Aras Los Olmos, the riders return to the same place each night, with comfortable accommodation and hot showers!! The route is almost 100% off road, with a limited amount of tarmac. The off-road conditions varied from fast wide forest roads to gnarly, rocky, goat-tracks. Normally, the biggest problem is dust, but this year the mud was in full force as well. In Spain, when it pours, you get a few inches of new mud on top of the previously hard-baked ruts and washes - which makes it very slippery indeed. Fine for a few miles - not so fine for 150km.

British riders dominated the event, taking 7 out of the top ten places. Nick Morgan was in full flight on his KTM EXC450, applying his (considerable) years of international enduro experience to deliver a smooth, polished and incredibly fast performance on the special tests (Nick was usually at least a minute quicker than anyone else!). Nick won the event by a comfortable margin of 5 minutes. Second was Jon Wood, who took his years of motorcross to his first rally and used it to turn out some blazing times to take second on a Husky 450E. Ian Myers (M&S Motorcycles, Newcastle) took Third on another KTM EXC450.

Close behind the leaders, Stuart Richardson forced his KTM 200 EGS to 5th place, I managed to scrape into 6th place with the 400EXC, despite a disastrous special test on the Thursday. Ian Vessey took his KTM 450EXC into 8th and Mark Smith ( a rally novice) managed to hold on to his XR400, with the throttle twisted to the stops, to take 10th after a slow start in the early stages.

Nick Palmer took 11th place and the "Grand Old Men" trophy on his 250EXC. Other Brit finishers were:- Gerald Tyers 12th Husky WR125, Tim Aucott 18th KTM450EXC, Giles Southcott 20th Honda XR400, Barry Davis 24th KTM450 EXC

Julian Bishop had a great race on his Husaberg FE401 until engine problems forced him to retire. The Berg was suffering in the rain and finally refused to start for him after a checkpoint. Paul Skinner had a total engine failure on his Husky 250 on day two, forcing him to pull out as well.

The great thing about the Alto is that anyone can participate. Regardless of whether you are an Enduro God (or gnome?...sorry Nick) or a determined trail rider, the course is passable. The contrast in machinery was amazing, from Gerald's Husky WR125 (complete with the "White Rabbit" petrol tank mounted on the tail, to Guido's classic BMW R100GS - it's not just for 450 thumpers.

I can't recommend this event highly enough. The route is stunning and well within the abilities of the average off-road rider. It is cheaper than most guided trail riding tours of any quality, the medical backup is highly professional and the organisation is excellent. You also get a taste of competition without pressure to make checkpoints and without the risk of being prevented from continuing just because you miss checkpoint times. The accommodation is great, food is plentiful and tasty and the locals are warm and welcoming.

For Enduro riders, this is a great way of getting some intense practice done for the spring/summer events. Going fast on this terrain requires precision and commitment, and the experience and fitness gained from 5 solid days of it helps a great deal when you return to UK events. I'll be going back next year, hopefully with a few more riders from the UK and elsewhere. More photos

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