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21 Exclusive - A detailed career interview with the 1980 world trials champion Ulf karlson |
You were aged 28 in 1980. These days in the trial when you are 28 you are an old man hahaha?
Yes, is true, but you must know that when I start with trial I was 18, today they start when they are 10, this is the difference. At this time in 1980 with the other riders that you are riding against younger than you, all the same age. Bernie was younger than me, but Malcolm and Martin Lampkin are about the same age as me. I know Martin Lampkin is 2 years older than me and Vestey, we are the same age I think and Coulthard we are also the same age I think, Subira and Soler are maybe a little younger.
Yes, is true, but you must know that when I start with trial I was 18, today they start when they are 10, this is the difference. At this time in 1980 with the other riders that you are riding against younger than you, all the same age. Bernie was younger than me, but Malcolm and Martin Lampkin are about the same age as me. I know Martin Lampkin is 2 years older than me and Vestey, we are the same age I think and Coulthard we are also the same age I think, Subira and Soler are maybe a little younger.
Photo Solo Moto
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Photo Solo Moto
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Photo Colin Boniface
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What can you remember about the 1980 season?
I remember that I was always pushing very hard all of the year and I remember that when I win in Karlskoga, here in Sweden, I didn't win the trial, but I was second and it was this event which was the last but one of end of the year where I won the championship of the world. This was a massive thing for me because the television and radio my family and everybody was there. I make interviews and the trial sports was the number one sport in the media for this time so this help the sport in Sweden I remember this clearly.
I remember that I was always pushing very hard all of the year and I remember that when I win in Karlskoga, here in Sweden, I didn't win the trial, but I was second and it was this event which was the last but one of end of the year where I won the championship of the world. This was a massive thing for me because the television and radio my family and everybody was there. I make interviews and the trial sports was the number one sport in the media for this time so this help the sport in Sweden I remember this clearly.
This is the ceremony after I win the 1980 World Championship
Exclusive - A detailed career interview with the 1980 world trials champion Ulf karlson
You had some great results this year including first place in Ireland and second place in Great Britain, tell me more?
I remember this trial in Ireland, it was very very muddy. I have some pictures and we have to go through mud which is up to the petrol tank of the bike. This is a special trial hear in Northern Ireland. I was happy all of the year in 1980 and did not feel the pressure at all. I had a very good confidence all year. I was very strong. Czechoslovakia was the last trial, but at this time I was already the world champion from the round before. I think I am regarded as being a very consistent rider. I never really made a bad trial, I was a very steady rider with steady results.
I remember this trial in Ireland, it was very very muddy. I have some pictures and we have to go through mud which is up to the petrol tank of the bike. This is a special trial hear in Northern Ireland. I was happy all of the year in 1980 and did not feel the pressure at all. I had a very good confidence all year. I was very strong. Czechoslovakia was the last trial, but at this time I was already the world champion from the round before. I think I am regarded as being a very consistent rider. I never really made a bad trial, I was a very steady rider with steady results.
Exclusive - A detailed career interview with the 1980 world trials champion Ulf karlson