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2023 California Trials Invitational (CTI) Photo Gallery

GasGas’ fourth annual motorcycle trials competition at RD Field.

Updated: May 4, 2023

When the AMA/NATC MotoTrials National Championship series was canceled in 2020, GasGas North America stepped up and hosted its first-ever California Trials Invitational (CTI) to give trials riders a place to compete in the midst of the pandemic. This year marks the fourth running of the event, which included some of the best men, women, and youth pro riders in the country, and even one from overseas. Keep scrolling to check out what we saw at RD Field’s motorcycle trials course.

Just down the street from GasGas North America’s new headquarters is its motorcycle trials course, which serves as the location for the annual California Trials Invitational (CTI).Mason Owens

On display, GasGas ebikes: a TXT Racing 300, MC 250F Factory Edition, and ES 700.Mason Owens

GasGas offers two lines of full-size trials motorcycles—the TXT Racing (pictured) and TXT GP.Mason Owens

Sections 1–3 were situated on the backside of what’s referred to as “GasGas Mountain.”Mason Owens

Would you try to ride over any of these obstacles?Mason Owens

Gates in trials sections indicate where competitors in each class go. In this case, red is for Junior Pro, blue for Women’s Pro, and black for Men’s Pro.Mason Owens

Sections 4–6 on the front side of GasGas Mountain.Mason Owens

There’s little to no room for error on the indoor-style course.Mason Owens

The GasGas USA team campaigns TXT GP models. This is Maddie Hoover’s.Mason Owens

Alex Niederer’s engine seized in a crash at El Trial de España (ETdE) just days prior, but the Beta USA rider showed up at CTI with a running Evo Factory 300.Mason Owens

Trials Superstore-backed Kylee Sweeten pilots a 2023 GasGas TXT Racing 250.Mason Owens

GasGas’ TXT Racing and TXT GP models are spec’d with a small 39-tooth rear sprocket in stock trim.Mason Owens

Some trials bikes like GasGas and Beta are carbureted…Mason Owens

While others such as Vertigo use fuel injection.Mason Owens

Trials runs in the Aaron family. Murphy Aaron is the son of 10-time AMA/NATC MotoTrials National Champion Geoff Aaron and three-time AMA/NATC MotoTrials Women’s National Champion Kerry Williams Aaron.Mason Owens

Niederer warms up on the EnduroCross course.Mason Owens

Fresh off his second consecutive ETdE victory, Josh Roper looked to repeat at CTI as well.Mason Owens

GasGas trials team manager Geoff Aaron has a lot to do with this event.Mason Owens

The gang’s all here.Mason Owens

Beta USA’s Cole Cullins is in his first year as a pro. If that last name rings a bell, you may know of his older brother Ty, who’s a three-time AMA EnduroCross Junior Champion.Mason Owens

Emile Mattheeuws traveled all the way from Belgium to compete in the event.Mason Owens

While many opt for a nose wheelie during their rider introduction, Roper busted out a no-footer.Mason Owens

Vertigo USA’s Coran Calvert hops off a ledge in section 4.Mason Owens

Calvert finished third in the Junior Pro class.Mason Owens

At 13 years of age, Ryon Land was the youngest competitor in the event.Mason Owens

The Vertigo USA rider took the runner-up spot in Junior Pro with 15 points on the day.Mason Owens

Murphy grabbing some style points on his way to capturing the Junior Pro victory.Mason Owens

“My day went pretty good; a couple of mistakes but we got the win. It was warm and it was getting slick, but it was good.” —Murphy Aaron, GasGasMason Owens

Sweeten gets vertical in section 1.Mason Owens

The Oregonian finished second in the Women’s Pro division.Mason Owens

Hoover clinched her second consecutive Women’s Pro victory with 20 points.Mason Owens

“Today went really well and I’m really happy with my riding. Congratulations to Kylee Sweeten on second place and I’m really happy with my win.” —Maddie Hoover, GasGasMason Owens

Trials Superstore rider Michael Wenger competes in the Expert division at the Nationals, but stepped up to the premier class at ETdE and CTI. He finished sixth at RD Field.Mason Owens

The entrance to section 3 proved difficult for the Men’s Pro line.Mason Owens

Cullins rounded out the top five in his CTI debut.Mason Owens

Cole’s father Chris is his minder. He also rides trials frequently himself and wears a very patriotic helmet.Mason Owens

Daniel Blanc-Gonnet launches a high gap on his TXT GP 300. The GasGas USA rider ended up fourth on the day.Mason Owens

“Today was sort of up and down for me. I was actually riding pretty decent, but mentally I just wasn’t there. I felt like I was riding pretty tight, so I kept pumping a little bit and I wasn’t able to hit my marks like I wanted to. The sections were really thin-lined and everything was really tricky, so if you were tight or not flowing well, it typically showed it. I felt like I made it through most of the sections, but struggled to follow through, so the results weren’t there but my riding was pretty good.” —Daniel Blanc-Gonnet, GasGasMason Owens

Who better to mind for Alex Niederer than Alex Niederer? Just kidding. That’s Payden Campbell, who apparently borrowed some of his gear for the occasion.Mason Owens

Niederer rounded out the podium in Men’s Pro with 37 points on the day.Mason Owens

Remember what we said about the entrance to section 3 being challenging?Mason Owens

Although it wasn’t the biggest obstacle of the day, it was tricky and claimed some five-point scores.Mason Owens

Matheeuws finished in the runner-up spot with 30 points.Mason Owens

“It was an incredible day at the CTI event! I had a blast and would like to express my gratitude to Geoff Aaron for the invitation. It was an amazing event, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite feeling nervous at the beginning, I managed to have some fantastic rides and ultimately came in second after the king, Josh Roper! I am grateful to everyone who made this possible including Dustin Land for helping me through the sections, all the riders who participated, the event organizers, Vertigo USA for providing me with a bike, and Jitsie for the exceptional clothing that I wore. I hope to see all of you again next year!” —Emile Mattheeuws, VertigoMason Owens

Open-faced helmets and a lack of goggles provide a unique look at the variety of facial expressions trials riders make while navigating their way through sections.Mason Owens

With just 12 points on the day, Roper clinched his second consecutive CTI win.Mason Owens

“I started out with four cleans on the first four sections, so I was really excited about that. Sections 5 and 6 turned out to be the most technical. I had a five in section 5, but I managed to get through section 6, which was pretty technical. Then on the second lap, I came around and had one small mistake in section 2 and then in section 5 I was able to get through with a one and then I was able to get through section 6 with a one as well, so I was really happy with that. I’m really happy with my riding and I just want to say a huge thank-you to my minder Nigel Parker and the entire GasGas USA team.” —Josh Roper, GasGasMason Owens

2023 CTI Junior Pro podium.Mason Owens

2023 CTI Women’s Pro podium.Mason Owens

2023 CTI Men’s Pro podium.Mason Owens