Dohla is the women's trial rookie of the year

Eighteen year old Kathrin Dohla – Gas Gas from Germany became the first recipient of the Women’s Trial Rookie of the Year award, after the teenager finished the highest in the final standings out of all the new recruits to the series. This newly introduced award recognizes the exploits of the young riders arriving in the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship for the first time. Kathrin actually recorded her best result of the campaign in Poland as she placed just outside the points in seventeenth position in a field of thirty-three riders.

During the presentation of the teams for the FIM Trial des Nations Dohla was presented with her prize by CTR Vice President Anders Minken who has been a long time supporter of the Women’s series. The award was the devised by 2007 FIM Women’s Trial World Champion Iris Kramer, also from Germany, with the support of Minken. Kramer now works for the FIM as an advisor for the Women’s Championship.

Dohla received a mountain bike kindly donated by UNIVEGA who are sponsors of this award. UNIVEGA is no stranger to the Trial community and already has association with the likes of Iris Kramer, Laia Sanz, Adam Raga and Jeroni Fajardo as part of their sponsorship programme. However on this occasion rather than direct athlete support of established riders, UNIVEGA wanted to offer a different type of opportunity to those who are new to top level sport and in particular, new to the FIM Women's Trial World Championship.

Speaking about the introduction of this award earlier in the year Mr Uwe Reinkemeier-Lay, Director of Univega commented. "I am really pleased to be the sponsor of this new award and collaborate with the FIM to develop Women's Trial and promote young riders. I am a Trial fan and my company has sponsored for many years great Trial champions such as Iris Kramer, Laia Sanz, Adam Raga and Jeroni Fajardo. There is a real connection between Trial and MTB, as a lot of Trial riders are practicing their sport on a bicycle."

On the announcement of this award Olivier Godallier, FIM Marketing and Communications Director said “The FIM launched the Women’s Ride campaign a few months ago to promote the participation of women in our sport and with the same aim, we are delighted to launch this new award for new comers in Women’s Trial and help young riders to attend our championships.”

More information about UNIVEGA can be found at www.univega.com