Master of Balance

Only 23 years old and already five times a world champion: Adam Raga is currently the world’s finest trial rider. And well on his way to becoming a legend.

How does a teacher feel when he realizes his best pupil has just overtaken him? Jordi Tarres, in any case, felt “extraordinarily rewarded”. Eight years ago the seven-fold trial world champion took a 16-year-old rider under his wings: one who had just become Spanish junior champion among the 18-year-olds. Adam Raga – that’s the name of the young man – stood out for his extreme ambition and unconditional dedication to his sport. “I can count on my fingers the days in the last eight years when Adam wasn’t working on his trial performance”, says Jordi. At age 16, Raga’s goal was to be better than anyone else in the sport. And he has achieved his goal convincingly: at the age of 23 he already has five world championships under his belt and is currently the undisputed number one in trial.

Inspired by the Applause

For a long time it looked as though Adam could win only when he had a roof over his head: from 2003 to 2005 the Spaniard won his first three world championship titles in indoor trials. “A certain weakness” on damp or wet surfaces meant that he didn’t always do his best outdoors. In particular, in outdoor competition he missed the thrilling atmosphere that prevails in an indoor arena, where the spectators are eyeball to eyeball with the competitors. “When I’m riding, I need an audience”, says Adam. “It’s hard to push yourself to your limits when no one is applauding. The spectators’ support gives me wings and without them my motivation fails me.” In 2005, in any case, Adam was sufficiently motivated throughout the season, and in addition, he worked hard to improve his performance on wet surfaces. The reward: his first world championship title outdoors.

Shooting for the Record

His fifth world championship crown still feels new. In early March, two races before the end of the season, Adam won his fourth indoor title in São Paulo. But this year he has won only six out of ten races: at his current level one becomes a bit more modest. Last year he won ten out of 12 and came incredibly close two other times (beaten in one finale by a single point and in another by only 0.2 seconds). If Raga’s series of victories continues in the same fashion – something that no one doubts – by this time next year he’ll have matched his teacher Jordi Tarres in the total number of world championship titles. Are there any goals for him after that? Of course: Britain’s Dougie Lampkin has 12 world champion titles to his name.