Meet Eddie Karlsson - Jotagas rider world trials rider and Swedish Trials Champion
On Saturday evening, after day 1 of the 2 day UK World Trial at Penrith, Cumbria I went to meet Eddie Karlsson, Jotagas main man. Eddie is an 18 year old guy from Sweden. He travels to the World Rounds with his 2 close friends, one of them from his first school days. Eddie came over from Sweden earlier that week on the ferry. He is sponsored by the ferry who give him a hefty discount.
As soon as I met Eddie I could see that something was wrong. Current and multiple Swedish Champion, Eddie had unfortunately crashed on the first section of the first day. His left knee and ankle were bandaged and he was limping. I spoke with Eddie about the injury and he said that he was very unsure about whether he would be able to ride on it. He was not able to hop of it for instance and told me that the strength of the leg was not good.
James Duxberry from Jitsie and also Jack Shepherds minder came over and told Eddie that a Physio on the other side of the camp site where Eddie's van was parked would be ready for him in 15 minutes.
Eddie is putting a brave face on it, but it was only natural that he was very disappointed. Section 1 consisted of a triangle shaped rock pointed at the top. Riders lifted the front wheel high in the air to clear it. Eddie went over the point with his wheel high in the air but when it came down he went over the bars. He scrambled away from the bike but the rear aluminium silencer hit him on the knee area very hard, bending the silencer slightly. I could see the tyre was rubbing on the exhaust now. I tried pulling it back out, but it wouldn't budge. Even if Eddies leg were to get better, his bike would need some work as well.
As soon as I met Eddie I could see that something was wrong. Current and multiple Swedish Champion, Eddie had unfortunately crashed on the first section of the first day. His left knee and ankle were bandaged and he was limping. I spoke with Eddie about the injury and he said that he was very unsure about whether he would be able to ride on it. He was not able to hop of it for instance and told me that the strength of the leg was not good.
James Duxberry from Jitsie and also Jack Shepherds minder came over and told Eddie that a Physio on the other side of the camp site where Eddie's van was parked would be ready for him in 15 minutes.
Eddie is putting a brave face on it, but it was only natural that he was very disappointed. Section 1 consisted of a triangle shaped rock pointed at the top. Riders lifted the front wheel high in the air to clear it. Eddie went over the point with his wheel high in the air but when it came down he went over the bars. He scrambled away from the bike but the rear aluminium silencer hit him on the knee area very hard, bending the silencer slightly. I could see the tyre was rubbing on the exhaust now. I tried pulling it back out, but it wouldn't budge. Even if Eddies leg were to get better, his bike would need some work as well.
EDDIE KARLSSON JOTAGAS TRIALS RIDER WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
EDDIE KARLSSON JOTAGAS TRIALS RIDER WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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EDDIE KARLSSON JOTAGAS TRIALS RIDER WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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Eddie speaks perfect English and is a very polite friendly young man. He is an excellent role model.
He previously rode GasGas up until this year when Jordi Tarres and Jotagas offered him a deal. He previously rode motocross before trials. You can see this in Eddie's riding style. He has lots of courage and is quite comfortable flying through the air splatting steps and jumping across gaps etc
He previously rode GasGas up until this year when Jordi Tarres and Jotagas offered him a deal. He previously rode motocross before trials. You can see this in Eddie's riding style. He has lots of courage and is quite comfortable flying through the air splatting steps and jumping across gaps etc
EDDIE KARLSSON JOTAGAS TRIALS RIDER WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
EDDIE KARLSSON JOTAGAS TRIALS RIDER WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Eddie shows me where he stays. No hotels for Eddie, the top bed in a van. The van was like any teenagers bedroom :)
EDDIE KARLSSON JOTAGAS TRIALS RIDER WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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The paddock bike - A Puch Maxi
EDDIE KARLSSON JOTAGAS TRIALS RIDER WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
EDDIE KARLSSON JOTAGAS TRIALS RIDER WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM