Amós Bilbao (Lamadrid, 1970) is one of those pilots who needs no introduction. We all remember the spectacularity of his riding, his extroverted character, the accessibility and human quality with which Amós has captivated for more than 20 years all those who love this discipline of motorcycling.
Although he does not have such an overwhelming record (a Cto of Spain and a victory in the Scottish) as those of Tarrés, Bou, Lampkin or Raga, the mark he has left on his career as a rider is so great that it will go down in the annals of history as a Spaniard. one of the best Trial riders of all time.
Amós was an official driver for Beta (1988 and 1995), Fantic (1989 and 1990), Gas Gas (1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998) and Montesa (1993, 1994, 1999, 2000 and 2001). Since her retirement, she has continued to be linked to the latter as a test pilot and advisor to other pilots such as Lampkin. Undoubtedly, it is fortunate that Amós continues to add value and vibrate with the Trial.
At Trialworld we met with him taking advantage of his presence in the 2 Days of Robregordo and we talked about the past, present and future of Trial from a unique point of view.
Text, photos and interview: David Quer
TRIALWORLD: The last time we saw you at the world championship races was advising Dougie Lampkin at Montesa. What has become of you since then?
LOVE BILBAO:
I returned to Cantabria and work with my father in the Damm beer distribution business, but I still work at Montesa. At least one week a month I’m in Barcelona.
TW: What role are you doing in the Montesa team?
AB:
The same thing I did before, with the difference that now I don’t go to the races. That is to say, test rider, running the new parts, rolling the riders’ bikes when there is a change, the whole issue of suspensions and also working on the bikes we have for riders like Moret and other foreign riders.
TW: We know you’re also doing a lot of tyre testing with Michelin. Can you tell us a bit more about how this component is evolving?
AB:
Tyres are changing, there are components that were used a few years ago and that, for environmental reasons, can no longer be used. This detail, although it may seem unimportant, greatly affects the performance of the tyre.
TW:
Is there a difference between the tyres used by Bou or Fujinami and those bought by the hobbyist?
AB:
We go with standard tyres. Another thing is that I’m running tests to keep finding good things and optimize performance. When a clear evolution has been found, Michelin has not incorporated mass production. We can’t use special tires.
TW: This year we conducted two interviews with Toni Bou. From there we draw two big conclusions in reference to his Cota 4RT: that his evolution has been almost stopped since 2009 and that on the other hand he is trying to put pressure on Honda to build a new bike. What can you tell us about it?
AB:
At the moment I don’t have any news that there will be a new bike. I know there’s a buzz on the street and that’s what we’d all like, especially me, as that would give me more work.
Regarding the evolution of the bike, it may seem that way from the outside, but it is false. If you are constantly doing tests and you manage to make only one of them evolve what you have, it basically means that the bike is already very evolved. I mean, maybe the bike was too evolved in 2009. Despite all the evidence, it’s hard to improve on what we already have. I guarantee you that if it doesn’t evolve further, it’s because what exists is better, not because we haven’t tried it.
TW: Referring to what matters to the amateur, the production motorcycle, it is at a good point of technological evolution, but its performance (weight, power, agility…) is not at the level of the current market. Are there solutions in sight?
AB:
We recognize that our bike is different from the others. I also know a lot of people who after trying other brands, have come back to Montesa. We are talking about a 250 4T engine that cannot be compared in performance with a 300 2T on a motorcycle with 10 kilos less. However, it’s the company’s policy and I think anyone who owns a Cota 4RT is happy with it.
TW: Contemporaries of yours such as Colomer, or others already retired such as Marc Freixa, and even Lampkin with Raga, are working with projection pilots to help them in their progression. Would you like a lifestyle closer to racing?
AB:
No, I’m happy with what I’m doing. I feel very fortunate to be Montesa and know that they trust my work as a tester. I don’t miss the races. I have a little boy and I want to be with him as much as possible. In addition, I have been living in Catalonia since the end of the 80s and it was a couple of years ago when I returned to Cantabria.
Racing is a different lifestyle, although I also recognize that going to careers for a job like mine is important.
TW: The most important of your trophy cabinet has been a Cto of Spain (1996) and a victory in the Scottish (2002). However, you are a living legend for the fans of this sport and everyone remembers you as if your record was much greater. Do you think Trial has changed from your years as a rider until now?
AB:
Trial has been progressively falling. One of the reasons is that there are now also more sports and specialties. In those years the Indoor was cool and the atmosphere was sensational, something like today can be the XGames. Now, however, this is not the case. Maybe it’s too saturated.
In the open air, we all know the problems that exist in accessing the mountain. Maybe that’s why it’s not such a cutting-edge specialty, even though we have four of the five best drivers in the world.
TW:
What could we do to give back to the fans the passion for Trial?
AB: Passion is something that you don’t know how it comes to you. Maybe people don’t get hooked on Trial for whatever reason; Not even the manufacturers themselves. The economic situation also has an impact. On the other hand, for example, there’s a race in Guadalajara and you don’t see people from the north scrolling to watch the race; That didn’t happen before.
TW: Do you think brands do everything in their power to make things easier for fans?
AB:
Brands do what they can. And it’s a lot. If you don’t help more runners, it’s because you really can’t.
TW: Retaining a rider like Bou is very expensive, obviously. Wouldn’t it be interesting if not everything was in the hands of a few and brands also invested in creating areas or working more with the consumer?
AB:
Toni is World Champion and I guess he’ll be the one who earns the most. I also think that if Montesa didn’t pay what he’s worth, another brand would give it to him. Brands could also say, “We’re going to pay less.” However, then we have the rest of the riders, from the third down, who are taking risks and training a lot, investing years of work and earning figures that are very discreet.
People complain that Montesa doesn’t support and so on. However, the dream of any Trial rider is to race for Montesa. That means you have quite a chance of being champion; a 14-year-old rider will like to be where Bou is. I don’t see Bou wanting to be where any of the other riders are. There must be a reason.
TW: Do you think Montesa wouldn’t be what it is without Bou?
AB:
For me Bou is the best rider, but it’s also clear to me that any rider in Montesa would be a better rider than he is. If Bou were to leave we would have to work hard, that’s for sure.
We also have Fujinami, who very few people know how really good he is, and could be even better despite his age. Any of the other three riders out there would do much better with our bike than with the one they ride. I’m not saying they beat Toni; I mean, they’d be better.
TW: Which rider do you think will unseat Bou?
AB:
The truth is that I’m quite disconnected and I don’t follow the races much. I think that those who are going to succeed Toni Bou will now be around 15 years old. Bou, if nothing unusual happens, will still have some time left. I don’t want to venture names so as not to put pressure on anyone, although here in the north there are a couple of very good riders and because of their proximity I would like them to be among the best.
TW: Speaking more about you, how do you enjoy Trial as an amateur?
AB:
I train with friends in Cantabria. I practice “nonstop” a lot, which is really what we enjoy and opens the door much more to fans. The future of Trial is the “nonstop”. It’s harder, but ultimately easier to be able to do it. You don’t need two backpackers or as much logistical support in competition, as it simplifies the structure and lowers costs. With the nonstop, it would be easier for riders with fewer mediums to be at the top.
TW: Will we ever see you racing the Scottish again?
AB:
I think so. It’s a race that I love, because of the atmosphere, the feeling and what it symbolizes for me. Where I can assure you that I won’t be is at the Scott Trial. Too hard!
TW: Tell us about your sweetest sporting moment.
AB:
The Scottish victory, because I was retiring, and obviously the ’96 Spanish Championship. So were my three victories in the World Championship (2 with Gas Gas in ’92 and 1 with Montesa in ’93).
TW: What bikes do you keep in your garage?
AB:
Three. The Gas Gas with which I won the Spanish Championship in ’96, the Gas Gas with which I won my first race in the world championship in ’92 and the Montesa with which I won the SSDT in 2002.
TW:
And classics?
AB:
I use a Montesa Cota 330, which I’m also preparing with a friend. At the moment we have worked on the aesthetic section and we continue to evolve it to have fun in races like these, with a healthy race and post-race environment. Yesterday, for example, it was very nice to be telling stories with Bugat, Martin Lampkin…
TW: What do you think of Robregordo’s Two Days?
AB:
It’s great. A race to copy. There should be at least 4 or 5 of this style in Spain. In modern races there are already races like Santigosa, but it is interesting to bet on this 2-day format for any type of specialty.
HONOURS
1 Spanish Championship (1996)
1 Six Days of Scotland (2002)
1 German Indoor Trial Championship
7 Nations Trials (1989, 1991–93, 1995–96, 1998)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
