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Exclusive interview with Albert Callis - PXC development rider. Manager to Renales. Minder to Eddy Lejeune + Lluis Gallach. Special behind the scenes fixer for GasGas. The untold story
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The 1992 GasGas Contact GT32 and GT25 model that GasGas were developing at the time when Albert walked away from trials for a while, after the tragic death of his wife on their honeymoon in the UK.
An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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More 1991 photos from Albert's private collection, whilst working in collaboration with the Spanish Federation.
An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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Paco Mateo, Renales, Colomer, Callis, Garcia, Bilbao x2 and Garcia in Germany. Ramon, Garcia, Colomer, Callis and Garcia at a campsite :).
An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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1991 TDN photos before and after Spain win in Germany
An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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Albert was minding for Cesar Panicot. Another of Cesar's minders was Agusti Bas (photo'd below) who was also one of Gallach's first minders. Cesar's 1992 GasGas contact.
An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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A photo taken by Albert at the launch of the New 1992 Beta. The Beta that Tarres didn't like.
Photos of Albert's time with the 1992 Spanish federation team competing in the European championship.
Row 1 no 3 - Albert, Paxau and Tarres discuss. Row 1 no 4 Albert talks with Pere Cam the assistant manager at federation.
Row 2 no 1 - Callis, Panicot and Pons.
Row 3 no 4 - Angel Garcia with Albert's 2nd wife. No 4 - Cesar Panicot Panicot who left riding study architecture and who is now an architect
Row 4 no 2 the now boss of the Spanish federation. Benitez, Panicot and Xavi Vilalta. No 5 - Panicot, Vernada, Pugimonet, Garcia, Pons, Cams
Row 5 no 1 - The Italian border crossing
Row 1 no 3 - Albert, Paxau and Tarres discuss. Row 1 no 4 Albert talks with Pere Cam the assistant manager at federation.
Row 2 no 1 - Callis, Panicot and Pons.
Row 3 no 4 - Angel Garcia with Albert's 2nd wife. No 4 - Cesar Panicot Panicot who left riding study architecture and who is now an architect
Row 4 no 2 the now boss of the Spanish federation. Benitez, Panicot and Xavi Vilalta. No 5 - Panicot, Vernada, Pugimonet, Garcia, Pons, Cams
Row 5 no 1 - The Italian border crossing
What do you do now Albert ?
Wow, developing cycles by working with suppliers in essence to develop new cycles. The one I am working on at the moment will be finished by April and then I will be involved with the promotion and working out the network sales with the distributors and the product. That's my job. This is for a new range of bikes for an existing company called Yeti cycles in Denver. So we have all sorts of stuff made by the engineers in Denver. My job is to work together with the technical team and translating this into information to make products. I also collaborate with the race team to make the special products. I am often asked by the riders to make special products to get them ready for the new season because maybe there are some races with different terrain, very steep or other situations where different products are required. The race team is me, it is the manager and some really good mechanics and the riders. It's my job to ensure that the riders get what they need. Well this is part of my job anyway. That’s my work. But in addition to this I help with the development of the new production bikes and help with the sales and distribution in this area and other European locations as well. This is my work.
Wow, developing cycles by working with suppliers in essence to develop new cycles. The one I am working on at the moment will be finished by April and then I will be involved with the promotion and working out the network sales with the distributors and the product. That's my job. This is for a new range of bikes for an existing company called Yeti cycles in Denver. So we have all sorts of stuff made by the engineers in Denver. My job is to work together with the technical team and translating this into information to make products. I also collaborate with the race team to make the special products. I am often asked by the riders to make special products to get them ready for the new season because maybe there are some races with different terrain, very steep or other situations where different products are required. The race team is me, it is the manager and some really good mechanics and the riders. It's my job to ensure that the riders get what they need. Well this is part of my job anyway. That’s my work. But in addition to this I help with the development of the new production bikes and help with the sales and distribution in this area and other European locations as well. This is my work.
You know ....... meeting Albert has answered questions for Retrotrials. I wanted to know who he was. I've wanted to know this for ages and what he was doing ...because as a UK guy trying to put the pieces of the Spanish Retrotrials jigsaw together, he was a visible piece, but I had no idea where he fitted in. Albert seemed to be everywhere, but at the same time in the background and I wanted to know how could that be ? After meeting him, it eventually all became clear and I now know. His friendly, open and unusually upbeat personality made him someone who was fun to be around. It was this and no doubt secondly his knowledge of trial, that had riders enjoying his services.
An Interview with Trials insider Albert Callis www.retrotrials.com
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Thank you Albert Callis
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