Trial Magazine Issue 101 October-November 2023

MOTORCYCLE • CYCLE • SIDECAR • CLASSIC • COMPETITION • FEATURES trialmaguk.com

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FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GB WINNERS 2023 9 771753 004072 9 771753 004072

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

ISSUE 101 • UK: £5.99

01> 01>

QUICK SPIN: 2024 EM • EARLY YEARS: TONI BOU

QUICK SPIN

EARLY YEARS

THE BEST #17

CHAMPIONS RISE • TONI BOU • 142 VICTORIES • 17 x WORLD TRIALS CHAMPION •

RENTHAL ® 673 FATBAR ®

www.renthal.com

PHOTO CREDIT : PEP SEGALES

TRIAL MAGAZINE • WELCOME

CONTACT Online: www.trialmaguk.com Email: england@trialmag.com Address: 48 Albion Road, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK22 3EX United Kingdom

THE TEAM Co-Managing Directors John Hulme & Charles Benhamou Executive Director Philippe Benhamou

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Editor John Hulme (NUJ No: 949620)

FEATURES

Editorial Staff Cyrille Barthe, Phil Disney, Nick Shield, Matthew Heppleston, Heath Brindley, John Moffat, Michael Brown.

FIM Trial World Championship

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Trial Magazine is published by: CJ Publishing Limited, registered in England Number: 5947718.

Trial Magazine: ISSN: 1753-0040.

ULTIMATE INDOOR

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EARLY YEARS

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SPORT

72

INDOOR

86

SUMMERTIME

98

SCHOOLBOY

102

Toni Bou

ACU British Championships

OSET Weekender First Year

Subscriptions Cath Rogers cath@trialmaguk.com 01663 744766

© 2023 CJ Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publishers.

Great care is taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this publication, but neither CJ Publishing Ltd or the editor can be held responsible for its contents.

The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Publishers.

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History 1993 - 2022

Commercial Manager John Hulme england@trialmag.com

Distribution Warners Group Publications

QUICK SPIN DL12

Proof reading Jane Hulme and Davina Brooks

Printing Buxtons Press

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2024 EM

Photographers Colin Bullock, Eric Kitchen, Cyrille Barthe, Josh Turner, Yoomee, Trials Media, Barry Robinson, Don Morley, Mauri/Fontserè Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright, Andy Gregory, Toon Van De Vliet, Brian Holder, Leah Robinson.

Design and Production Dean Cook, The Magazine Production Company www.magazineproduction.com

INTERNATIONAL

REGULAR SECTIONS

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NEWS 6 TALK TRIALS TONI BOU 10 TALK TRIALS TOBY MARTYN 12 PADDOCK 16 SHOPPING 20 POSTER 58 SUBSCRIPTION FORM 104 DEALER LOCATOR 110

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TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Cover Photo: ‘Rule Britannia’ 2023 FIM Trial World Champions GBR • Pictures: Pep Segales 5

NEWS • THE WORLD OF TRIALS

BETA EVO MY 2024

During the 2023 season, the Italian TrialGP rider Matteo Grattarola returned to his home at the Beta Factory Trial Team and once again proved his ability in the top class. Great Britain’s George Hemingway, working his way up the ladder, followed his fellow Beta-mounted older brother Harry to the FIM Trial3 World Championship on the 125cc machine.

The tried-and-tested technical package provided by the manufacturer from Italy to its vast base of riders and all enthusiasts of the brand has seen performance advances over time, thanks to feedback from the factory riders. It has

confirmed itself to be a winner and is coming to the showroom in 2024 with the addition of a new functional component, the electronic key.

Beta is launching the EVO MY 2024 with an original graphical release with a refined aesthetic impact, making this new model both race-styled and elegant.

The skilful use of red, in this case, used to enhance the grey-coloured base instead of as a primary element, speaks volumes and embellishes the original aesthetic appearance of the machine.

The mill-finish aluminium swingarm and frame emphasise the motorcycle’s strong links with racing,

where the materials are pure, and everything is designed for maximum performance.

The main new feature, from the point of view of the equipment, involves the introduction of the electronic key, which plays a dual role as both a kill switch and rider safety function with an innovative anti-theft function.

The Beta EVO range is one of the most extensive in this class and continues to offer a total of six different models, each with its own character and able to meet the needs of all riders, raising the potential and level of enjoyment that each rider experiences.

2023 FIM EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS The superb 2023 FIM European Championship produced two British champions. Alice Minta (Scorpa) won the Women’s Championship class, with the Isle of Man’s Kaytlyn Adshead (TRRS) finishing third overall after winning her first individual round in Sweden.

After winning five of the six rounds, Dan Clark (Beta) won the Over 40 Cup class.

In the Junior Cup class, Bret Harbud (Beta) kept the ACU flag flying, finishing ninth overall scoring points in all of the rounds.

Doing herself proud, Holly Dixon (Scorpa) finished third in the non-championship Women’s class.

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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

THE WORLD OF TRIALS • NEWS

2024 GASGAS TXT

One year after launching what they claim to be the best GASGAS trial machines ever made, they are heading full steam into 2024 with the same high-performance line-up with six new models.

Beyond their easy-on-the-eye appearance, riders across the globe absolutely love the unmatched two-stroke rideability of each model, which is a result of their agile handling and compact, powerful motors.

For 2024, GasGas has spiced up the performance of the TXT GP 250 and TXT GP 300 models. The first thing you will notice, visually and while riding, is the Akrapovic exhaust

pipe. Made from high-grade titanium, the front pipe is not only 350 grams lighter but, between 2,000rpm and 7,000rpm, there’s a noticeable boost to power, which makes scaling the biggest obstacles even easier than before.

Handling-wise, the TXT GP models retain the fully adjustable Tech3 shock that now features a 25% larger reservoir for increased oil capacity.

The reason for this revision is simple: less heat builds up, which makes damping much more consistent and predictable.

Rounding out the exciting changes to both TXT GP models are new FIM-approved brake

discs front and rear, a new gear lever designed with a shorter tip that’s better at preventing mud from building up, as well as fresh new graphics taken straight from the GASGAS Factory Racing machines.

The GASGAS TXT RACING models offer next-level rideability and deliver unrivalled performance with four popular engine sizes: 125cc, 250cc, 280cc and 300cc. Each is assembled inside the state-of-the-art production facility in Terrassa, Spain, as with the TXT GP models, and fitted with quality components throughout.

CRAIGS MONTESA FOR BROWN For the first time in the Scott Trial, the 2012 winner, Michael Brown, will compete on a four-stroke machine, the Montesa Cota 4RT. Collectively Honda UK and Craigs Motorcycles are very happy to support Michael on the machine in this iconic event.

Craigs Motorcycles, Aaron Holmes: “We are really excited about supporting Michael on the Cota 4RT at the Scott Trial.

His machine choice is ideal for this event with the legendary reliability of the Montesa and his experience. Who knows what the result will be — the Scott Trial is a unique event, and anything can happen”.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

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NEWS • THE WORLD OF TRIALS

VERTIGO WORKS 2024 Vertigo has embarked on a journey of continuous improvement to offer trials enthusiasts an exceptional experience in 2024 with the new Nitro Works range.

It has refined its machines with a series of improvements resulting from research, competition experience and a passion for trials.

This will undoubtedly make it even easier for riders to enjoy their riding on a Vertigo, incorporating topquality cutting-edge elements.

The engine has undergone improvements based on competition experience, which has helped to configure new power maps across all Nitro 2024 models. This advance represents a continuous adaptation to riders’ needs, offering unparalleled control over the machine’s power and performance. Vertigo achieved it with a new injection-body calibration across the Works 2024 range. This adaptation ensures an instant response from the throttle and the power needed to get through any section. In addition, the layout of the power unit has been optimised, improving cooling and performance in all conditions.

Vertigo Motors has worked on one of the key aspects of the machine’s chassis, and the new Nitro features a machined 6082 aluminium rear subframe in its 2024 range. This lighter, more efficient design is a way of providing greater strength and durability. Continuing with the Nitro Works’ new features, you will find a new crankcase protector that is 6mm thick and supplied in 7075T6 aluminium, ensuring the engine is protected.

Finally, the new design of the Vertigo Nitro

Works 2024 retains its trademark deep green colour and its attractive decoration, unique to the Nitro, which includes ‘snakeskin’ stickers that protect as well as adding high resistance to numerous parts of the machine, such as

2023 TDN

The best riders in the world went into battle for the team event, the 2023 FIM Trial des Nations, staged high in the French Alps at Auron.

An annual competition to determine the world’s leading trials nation, the event features separate classes for premier male and female teams, the second-tier FIM International Trophy, and the FIM Challenge des Nations for mixedgender two-rider teams.

As was expected in the two main categories, it was Spain who dominated the men’s just as Great Britain did in the women’s with two clear victories.

The Spanish team consisted of Toni Bou, Jaime Busto and Gabriel Marcelli, and the team from Great Britain included Emma Bristow, Alice Minta and Kaytlyn Adshead.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MEN: 1: Spain 23; 2: France 51; 3: Italy 53; 4: Great Britain 84; 5: Norway 92.

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: 1: Great Britain 5; 2: Spain 9; 3: Norway 33; 4: France 35; 5: Italy 26.

INTERNATIONAL TROPHY: 1: Japan 1; 2: Germany 7; 3: Czech Republic 25; 4: USA 29; 5: Australia 36.

TDN CHALLENGE: 1: Norway 17; 2: Italy 33; 3: Germany 67; 4: Sweden 75; 5: Ireland 95.

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headlight, mudguards, frame, filter cover, front suspension tubes and the swinging arm. Vertigo Motors will market the Nitro Works 2024 models in five displacement sizes: 125cc, 225cc, 247cc, 280cc and 300cc.

JOHN WINTHROP Former Scottish Trials Champion and Yamscot team member John Winthrop passed away in late August after a long illness.

John was a great ambassador for the sport, closely involved in the inception and running of the Pre-65 Scottish Trial, with his daughter Anne Gordon being the Secretary.

His contribution to the sport was immense; his knowledge and experience passed on through the trials schools he ran with his son Leslie.

John was a true enthusiast in all things motorcycling, but his passion was trials and, Picture Credit: Jimmy Young until recently, he was a faithful follower of the Scottish Six Days, acting as a Machine Examiner, until his health prevented him from attending.

Competing in the Scottish from 1974, John had the distinction of being the last man to leave Edinburgh in 1976, bearing the number one plate before the trial moved to its current home in Fort William in 1977.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

THE NEW

NITRO ‘24

www.Vertigomotors.com

TALK TRIALS • TONI BOU

CHICKEN DINNER #17 TONI BOU

Winner, winner, chicken dinner — that is just how I feel with my 17th consecutive FIM TrialGP World Championship title! Once again, they have all tried to challenge me, but in the end, I have produced the same result; winning is never easy, but I approach every season with the same goal, and for the past 17 seasons, the result has been the same.

Words: Toni Bou with Trials Media • Pictures: Repsol Honda

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n injury-free season is always a bonus, and 2023 has once again been a pleasure. I enjoy competing on the Repsol Honda in a sport I love so much. The team once again has worked so well. I am 10

working with them all the time and, with my fellow team rider Gabriel Marcelli, to help improve the machine’s performance and also, with him, as a rider.

Gabriel will become more consistent; that

is my strong point. Eleven victories and three podiums from 14 starts; my competitors need to find that consistency! The level is so high, and you can never leave anything to chance.

Preparation is the key element for success, both from the team and myself.

It was good to see Toby Martyn come back so strong from injury; he is young and recovered well. He looked more relaxed and comfortable in the final two rounds in Italy.

In this issue you will find a superb feature from your editor, John Hulme, on my early years. I look at this type of article with so many happy memories from the beginning of the dream to be the world champion. Believe it or not, I don’t have so many pictures from the beginning, but I am sure John has access to them. I still remember the elation at my first ever FIM Trial World Championship points, a major stepping stone. Now I have just one more goal for 2023: my 17th consecutive FIM X-Trial World Championship title!

Until next time, stay safe and well – Toni ‘Dynamite’ Bou. OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

THE CHOICE OF

WORLD CLASS ACTION

DOUBLE-DECK HEADLINE CHAMPIONS DOUBLE-DECK HEADLINE

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Et is dolupta sint si cores consedi ipitius.

To discover the MICHELIN Trial rangequam visit: iurio del iur apit, id mi, inim exeriam suntion Ebis sandanducil et por min nus resciae www.michelin.co.uk/motorbike

CONGRATULATIONS Toni BOU World CHAMPIon!

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EVENT TITLE AND YEAR SECOND RESULTS LINE

EXPERT ROUTE: 1: Jack Price (Gas Gas) 7; 2: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 9; 3: Toby Martyn (Beta) 13; 4: Richard Pallot (Beta) 87; 5: Adam Le Cheminant (Gas Gas) 97.

CONTACT

Trial Enduro Direct Tel: 01298 766813 Web: www.trialendurodirect.com

Picture Credit: Christian Valeri – Trials Media

Words: John Hulme • Images: Name One, Name Two and Name Three

TALK TRIALS • TOBY MARTYN

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MIND GAMES TOBY MARTYN

After experiencing a serious back injury earlier in the year, my journey back into the world of competitive trials has been nothing short of a struggle. I was ready this year, ready to push, but this unexpected setback tested not only my physical resilience but, more significantly, my mental game in returning to the demanding rhythm of the sport. Physically, I’ve never been in better shape; countless hours of rigorous training and rehabilitation have sculpted me into the fittest version of myself. However, the mental aspect proved to be a huge challenge.

Words: Toby Martyn with Trials Media • Pictures: Pep Segales

M

y own expectations weighed heavily on my shoulders as I sought to regain my competitive edge.

Returning towards the end of the season, when fellow riders were well-accustomed to the demands of the sport, made it increasingly hard to return where I left off.

I am gutted to have been unable to achieve my third title as the ACU Trial GB British Champion.

It felt great to achieve first place and stand proud on the podium’s top spot at Summerbridge in the last round of the ACU British Championship.

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Standing on that top step allowed me to start feeling my normal self again; it is a position I am determined to reclaim definitively in the upcoming year.

A pivotal moment in my journey back to competing arrived at Vertolaye in France during the last round of the FIM World Championship.

It was there that I finally felt like my former self and achieved a seventh-place finish, just nine marks shy of the podium. This achievement was a significant milestone for both myself and the team. It enforced our belief in our potential,

fuelling our confidence for the forthcoming season, where we aspire to reach even greater heights. While I may not have secured a higher championship standing due to missed events, that final round in Vertolaye was a big confidence boost and has motivated me more than ever.

The setbacks may have been unexpected this year, but the determination to rise above them and become stronger to achieve higher continues to grow more than ever.

Keep your eyes open and give me a cheer – Toby ‘Mush#212’ Martyn OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

www.gasgas.com

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GASGA

Photos: Widen Produktion

UNCH ‘24 LA

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PADDOCK • CAUGHT ON CAMERA

SMILE

My line

Team

Smiffy

On film 16

FIM

Albere

Matt

Supa OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

CAUGHT ON CAMERA • PADDOCK

Friends

Running

Ghost Bars

Flick

Mario TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Mum

Clean

Jiri 17

117 YEARS OLD

SHOPPING • WHAT’S NEW

WHAT’S ON YOUR SHOPPING LIST?

MOTS X RIDER KIT

Three Colour Ways Web: www.trialendurodirect.com Tel: 01298 766813

APICO HEBO

Race Pro IV Rider Kit Range Web: www.apico.co.uk Tel: 01282 473 190

APICO RENTHAL

Trials Rear Sprocket Range Web: www.apico.co.uk Tel: 01282 473 190

APICO PRODUCTS Brake Bleeding Kit Web: www.apico.co.uk Tel: 01282 473 190

WATERPROOF WIND JACKET

Web: www.camiomoto.co.uk Tel: 01246 792033

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COMAS PRO RACING GLOVE Various Colour Ways Web: www.camiomoto.co.uk Tel: 01246 792033

COMAS GILLETTE

Various Colour Ways Web: www.camiomoto.co.uk Tel: 01246 792033

APICO FORMA Kids Rock Boots Web: www.apico.co.uk Tel: 01282 473 190

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE #46

Web: www.trialmaguk.com

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

WHAT’S NEW • SHOPPING

S3 TRIAL ORGANIC COLLECTION

SORRA CUSTOM CLOTHING Shirt and Pants Web: www.sorra.uk Tel: 01743 624544

Various Colour Ways Web: www.trialendurodirect.com Tel: 01298 766813

MOTS GO2 ON3 HELMETS Various Colour Ways Web: www.trialendurodirect.com Tel: 01298 766813

COMAS CASUAL ‘T’ Web: www.camiomoto.co.uk Tel: 01246 792033

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

MIRO CASUAL HOODIE Web: www.miroproducts.com

MIRO RIDING JACKET Web: www.miroproducts.com

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INTERNATIONAL SPORT • FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

TOP GUN TONI BOU TRIAL GP

Every year, at the close of every FIM TrialGP World Championship season, you want to see a different winner from the name Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP), which has become etched on the top spot of the podium for the 17th time in succession in 2023 — he is simply the best, immensely popular, and the crowds love him.

His controlled, at times explosive, exciting riding has seen him conquer the trials world beyond belief since 2007, but we ask, where are the challengers? At the start of the season, some light was thrown on the cause when Jaime Busto (GASGAS-ESP) put the machine on the top step at the opening round in Spain. Over the three rounds from Spain to Japan, these two traded blows; were we about to witness the downfall of Toni Bou? They both had three wins. But then what does Bou do? He simply raises his game. He remains the ‘Top Gun’, but the question is just how much longer can he continue shooting down the opposition? We think you will agree, on his current form, for a few more years yet.

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Pep Segales and Christian Valeri.

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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • INTERNATIONAL SPORT

Jaime Busto (GASGAS-ESP)

As the season concluded in Italy and France, both rounds were covered in a brilliant band of sunshine that hit the venues. With Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK-GBR) back in action and later joined by Luca Petrella (GASGAS-ITA) after missing his home round, it was back to 12 riders in the TrialGP championship for the final round in France.

ROUND SIX: SESTRIERE, ITALY 22ND & 23RD JULY

Warm blue skies shone on this Alpine area and its high-altitude, power-sapping location. The ski resort’s steep wooded climbs and mostly natural dry, rocky sections provided a technical test, but for Toni Bou, it soon turned into another day at the

Gabriel Marcelli (Repsol Honda-ESP)

office, albeit a hot one.

He ran out an easy winner in front of Italy’s number one rider, Matteo Grattarola (Beta), while a battle raged behind these top two for the final podium position, which went all the way to the final section, between Raga, who had missed the previous round due to urgent knee surgery, and Busto.

Raga had struggled through for a three, but keeping his cool, Busto secured third place with the loss of a single mark to maintain his 100% podium record this season.

Day two was very much the same, although section two was cancelled for the TrialGP riders on the opening lap to allow organisers to reroute it around a large boulder that had become loose.

In complete control all day, Toni Bou again

dominated as his fellow Spanish rider Marcelli showed his true form to move to the second step on the podium well in front of Raga. As Busto slipped to sixth, he knew he had lost any hope of challenging Bou for the title with only one round and two points-scoring days remaining.

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 20; 2: Grattarola 30; 3: Busto 36; 4: Raga 37; 5: Marcelli 49; 6: Aniol Gelabert 57; 7: Miquel Gelabert 62; 8: Bincaz 69; 9: Casales 75; 10: Martyn 87 – DNF: Fajardo.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 9; 2: Marcelli 18; 3: Raga 23; 4: Miquel Gelabert 31; 5: Grattarola 31; 6: Busto 47; 7: Aniol Gelabert 52; 8: Casales 75; 9: Bincaz 75; 10: Martyn 94 – DNF: Fajardo.

ROUND SEVEN: VERTOLAYE, FRANCE 2ND & 3RD SEPTEMBER

Matteo Grattarola (Beta-ITA) TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP)

The seventh and final round of the 2023 FIM TrialGP World Championship moved to central France and the village of Vertolaye, some 70 kilometres from Clermont-Ferrand. This new venue offered a wide variety of terrain over the 12.5km course in the heart of a hilly area, with its wooded climbs and rocky outcrops providing some formidable challenges. Toni Bou arrived confident and, as usual, hungry for more success.

As we have seen in the past, this motorcycle trials superstar just raises the bar on the very most important occasions, and in France, on day one, he was crowned the 2023 FIM TrialGP World Champion with a performance worthy of such a champion. He was a class act.

Day two was a repeat as the sun shone down on Toni Bou with no one else even within a shout. Jaime Busto and Gabriel Marcelli should have been closer; these are the two nearest challengers to Bou and should be moving towards the top spot, finishing second and third in the championship this year.

25

INTERNATIONAL SPORT • FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Aniol Gelabert (Beta-ESP)

The old-school pair of Matteo Grattarola and Adam Raga rounded off the top five championship positions; this included Adam missing two pointsscoring days for an operation on his knee.

It was a relieved paddock when Great Britain’s Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda-UK) returned to action in Italy at round six after his whole career was almost taken away from him with the ‘no Minder’ rule at the opening round in the early part of the year in Spain. It is quite ironic that it was reintroduced on day two in Spain after the damage was already done.

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol HondaESP) 30; 2: Busto 47; 3: Marcelli 48; 4: Grattarola 53; 5: Raga 54; 6: Aniol Gelabert 58; 7: Miquel Gelabert 63; 8: Fajardo 65; 9: Martyn 68; 10: Bincaz 78; 11: Petrella 81; 12: Casales 105.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 29; 2: Busto 38; 3: Marcelli 51; 4: Grattarola 52; 5: Miquel Gelabert (Vertigo-ESP) 53; 6: Aniol Gelabert (Beta-ESP) 57; 7: Martyn 60; 8: Raga 61; 9: Bincaz 73; 10: Petrella 85; 11: Fajardo 86; 12: Casales 107.

Miquel Gelabert (Vertigo-ESP) 26

Jorge Casales (Scorpa-ESP)

2023 FIM TRIALGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

POSITIONS AFTER SEVEN ROUNDS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 271; 2: Jaime Busto (GASGAS-ESP) 236; 3: Gabriel Marcelli (Repsol Honda-ESP) 191; 4: Matteo Grattarola (Vertigo/ Beta-ITA) 169; 5: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 155; 6: Aniol Gelabert (Beta-ESP) 137; 7: Jorge Casales (Scorpa-ESP) 115; 8: Benoit Bincaz (Sherco-FRA) 87; 9: Miquel Gelabert (VertigoESP) 79; 10: Jeroni Fajardo (Sherco-ESP) 75; 11: Luca Petrella (GASGAS-ITA) 60; 12: Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK-GBR) 38.

WINS: Toni Bou x 11; Jaime Busto x 3

VIVA MONTESA

The iconic Spanish motorcycle manufacturer Montesa wins the award for the 24th time in the 48-year history of the FIM Trial World Championship. Points are awarded to the top manufacturer’s riders in the TrialGP and Trial2 male championships. Two-stroke machines still dominate the championship, but note the

C

M

Y

CM

MY

Winners — Montesa

ninth- and tenth-place championship finishers: two electric manufacturers, EM from Europe and Yamaha from Japan.

2023 FIM MANUFACTURERS TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

RESULTS: 1: Montesa 461; 2: GASGAS 436; 3: Sherco 342; 4: Scorpa 311; 5: Beta 309; 6: Vertigo 237; 7: TRRS 203; 8: Honda 46; 9: EM 29; 10: Yamaha 24.

Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK-GBR) OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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CMY

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INTERNATIONAL SPORT • FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

TRIAL GP WOMEN

EMMA ‘THE BEST’ BRISTOW As the 2023 season opened in Spain, the other female riders were offered hope as Emma Bristow (Sherco-GBR) finished off the top step, allowing Berta Abellan (Scorpa-ESP) to take a maximum points haul. In Portugal just one week later, a strong, confident Bristow put her championship aspirations back on track with two good wins. On day two, when under pressure, she once again performed her usual trip to the podium’s top step. With the points so close, it was time for the long-haul trip across the water to Japan. As Emma made her way to the top spot on both days, it was a day of celebration for the Brits as the determined Alice Minta took her first podium, followed by Alicia Robinson (Beta-GBR) in fifth; three Brits in the top five! On day two, Abellan pushed her all the way, but the result remained the same: Bristow was on top as the series took a break for the women. Missing out the round in Andorra, they returned for championship action in Italy.

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Pep Segales and Christian Valeri

Berta Abellan (Scorpa-ESP) 28

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • INTERNATIONAL SPORT

Andrea Sofia Rabino (Beta-ITA)

Emma Bristow was on fire under a hot sun.

A good win on day one was followed by a significant victory on day two; she had one hand on retaining the title.

The last round in France witnessed Berta Abellan have one final push at toppling Emma, but it was not to be, as she again finished second.

On day two, these two were once again head and shoulders in front of the rest, but the result was the same: Emma Bristow proved she was still the best, taking her ninth title.

Andrea Sofia Rabino (Beta-ITA) and Naomi Monnier (GASGAS-FRA) fought a season-long battle for the last spot on the podium in the championship, with the Italian rider eventually joining Bristow and Abellan.

Alice Minta has had a good season; the FIM European Champion win gave her confidence, and with the extra self-belief, we expect her to be on the podium more often in 2024.

Missing the long, expensive trip to Japan, Isle of Man-based Kaytlyn Adshead (TRRS-GBR) looks better with every ride and finished tenth in the championship with some solid riding.

Naomi Monnier (GASGAS-FRA)

ROUND SIX: SESTRIERE, ITALY 22ND & 23RD JULY

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: Emma Bristow (ShercoGBR) 17; 2: Abellan 27; 3: Rabino 31; 4: Pechackova 45; 5: Monnier 48; 6: Robinson 52; 7: Barkved 53; 8: Minta 55; 9: Adshead 58; 10: Hoover 62.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Emma Bristow (Sherco-GBR) 10; 2: Abellan 28; 3: Rabino 28; 4: Monnier 35; 5: Pechackova 51; 6: Hoover 55; 7: Adshead 58; 8: Robinson 65; 9: Minta 67; 10: Barkved 69.

ROUND SEVEN: VERTOLAYE, FRANCE 2ND & 3RD SEPTEMBER

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: Emma Bristow (ShercoGBR) 17; 2: Abellan 22; 3: Monnier 52; 4: Rabino 55; 5: Pechackova 62; 6: Barkved 67; 7: Minta 69; 8: Hoover 73; 9: Vivian Wachs (TRRS-GER) 75; 10: Robinson 76; 11: Adshead 80.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Emma Bristow (Sherco-GBR) 11; 2: Abellan 15; 3: Rabino 35; 4: Monnier 38; 5: Barkved 52; 6: Minta 61; 7: Wachs 66; 8: Hoover 66; 9: Pechackova 67; 10: Adshead 68; 11: Robinson 83.

Alice Minta (Scorpa-GBR)

2023 FIM TRIALGP WOMEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Kaytlyn Adshead (TRRS-GBR) TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Alicia Robinson (Beta-GBR)

POSITIONS AFTER FIVE ROUNDS: 1: Emma Bristow (Sherco-GBR) 192; 2: Berta Abellan (Scorpa-ESP) 176; 3: Andrea Sofia Rabino (Beta-ITA) 139; 4: Naomi Monnier (GASGAS-FRA) 125; 5: Alice Minta (ScorpaGBR) 109; 6: Huldeborg Barkved (TRRS-NOR) 100; 7: Madeleine Hoover (GASGAS-USA) 74; 8: Alicia Robinson (Beta-GBR) 70; 9: Keity Meier (TRRS-EST) 57; 10: Kaytlyn Adshead (TRRS-GBR) 56; 11: Denisa Pechackova (GASGAS-CZE) 42; 12: Martina Gallieni (Scorpa-ITA) 36; 13: Alessia Bacchetta (GASGAS-ITA) 30; 14: Sophia Ter Jung (TRRSGER) 20; 15: Alycia Soyer (TRRS-FRA) 18.

WINS: Emma Bristow x 8; Berta Abellan x 2 29

INTERNATIONAL SPORT • FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

BILLY’S ROCK & ROLL WIN TRIAL2

No one could have predicted how this championship would ever go; in truth, it was about three riders in the end. It arrived in France at the final round in September, two points-scoring days, with the advantage to Billy Green (Scorpa-GBR) by just six points from Jack Peace (Sherco-GBR) with Pablo Suarez (Montesa-ESP) a further ten adrift. 2023 had seen six different round-winners at this point; joining the top three would be Sondre Haga (GASGAS-NOR), the defending champion with two wins, followed by Jack Dance (GASGAS-GBR) on two wins, Arnau Farre (Sherco-ESP) on two wins and Jack Peace (Sherco-GBR) on one. Billy Green threw it all away on day one in France, finishing 17th with no points as Pablo Suarez won to go to the head of the championship with Jack Peace, who finished sixth; the points would be 183 for Suarez and Peace with Green relegated to third on 179. One points-scoring day remained; it would be a true rock and roll ride to Billy Green’s first FIM Trial2 world title.

Billy Green (Scorpa-GBR): “I rode not bad in Italy on day one and knew I needed a win on day two. It was quite an easy trial, quite technical, but the pressure was at boiling point, and the win was very much needed.

“I went to France thinking that all I had to do was put together two decent results, and I could maybe just take the title. Day one was a disaster; everything I tried just did not work out. My Minder, James, pushed me all the way, but it was not happening.

“Day two was a case of giving it everything, but a big crash on the second section damaging the Scorpa, bent handlebars, smashed brake master cylinder, bent front fork brace and skinning my backside in a strange way settled me down. We soon had the machine knocked back into shape, and, more relaxed, I was riding much better for whatever reason.

“With my poor 17th-place finish, I was riding just ahead of the others, and I literally just rode my own trial, listening to James whilst also watching the clock. It was tense at the end, but in my heart, I knew I had given it my all, and the result was the one that gave me the title.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me, from winning my first FIM 125 World Championship in 2018 to this latest FIM Trial2 victory – thank you.”

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Pep Segales and Christian Valeri 30

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • INTERNATIONAL SPORT

Pablo Suarez (Montesa-ESP)

Jack Peace (Sherco-GBR)

ROUND SIX: SESTRIERE, ITALY 22ND & 23RD JULY

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: Sondre Haga (GASGAS-NOR) 7; 2: Peace 13; 3: Dufrese 16; 4: Gianluca Tournour (Sherco-ITA) 17; 5: Green 17; 6: Suarez 18; 7: Martinez 20; 8: Harry Hemingway 20; 9: Mattia Spreafico (VertigoITA) 24; 10: Arnau Farre (Sherco-ESP) 25; 20: Dance 45; 25: Harry Turner (Scorpa-GBR) 50; 32: Ben Dignan (Montesa-GBR) 68; 34: Duncan MacColl (Beta-GBR) 69; 41: Oliver Smith (TRRS-GBR) 82.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Billy Green (Scorpa-GBR) 6; 2: Suarez 11; 2: Peace 13; 4: Tournour 18; 5: Dufrese 19; 6: Dance 19; 7: Carlo Rabino (Beta-ITA) 21; 8: Mats Nilsen (TRRS-NOR) 21; 9: Spreafico 22; 10: Haga 25; 12: Harry Hemingway 28; 13: Turner 28; 25: MacColl 55; 30: Smith 61; 41: Dignan (Montesa-GBR) 89.

Sondre Haga (GASGAS-NOR)

Arnau Farre (Sherco-ESP)

By the time the championship arrived in Italy, in his mind, the 2022 FIM Trial2 World Champion Sondre Haga knew that this year would not be his again.

Even so, he had a super ride on day one, in what was quite an easy trial at this high-altitude venue, as Jack Peace remained focussed on keeping his championship hopes alive with a good solid second place as his nearest rivals Billy Green and Pablo Suarez were just off the pace, finishing in fifth and sixth places.

On the second day under red hot skies, it was once again Billy Green who made his championship intentions clear by taking the win from Pablo Suarez and Jack Peace, who were separated in second and third position by just two marks. With Haga in a pretty secure fourth place in the championship, the fight for the title would move to France, making it a very neutral contest for the title between the top three.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

31

FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • INTERNATIONAL SPORT

Hugo Dufrese (GASGAS-FRA)

ROUND SEVEN: VERTOLAYE, FRANCE 2ND & 3RD SEPTEMBER It was a new venue for the championship finale, and once again, the action would be played out in the sun. The rider on fire was Pablo Suarez, challenged by two rising stars, Carlo Rabino (Beta-ITA) and Great Britain’s Harry Hemingway, on the Beta. Big rocks in a wooded area made up the majority of the course, but time would be a problem on the 12.5km lap of the 12 sections.

As Jack Peace finished sixth to keep the championship alive, Billy Green totally blew out all the hard work in the season to score no points in 17th position; the championship was once again wide open.

Day two was another day, and for Billy Green, it looked like another tough day at the office with a massive crash on only the second section.

Alex Canales (Sherco-ESP) TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Harry Hemingway (Beta-GBR)

Wanting to avoid any time penalties, he pushed on in front of the main group to finish the lap tied in second place with Harry Hemingway and Pau Martinez (Vertigo-ESP), as Arnau Farre (ShercoESP) proved to be the man on form and held a healthy nine-mark lead.

Jack Peace was in trouble with four time-penalty marks added to his score, pushing him way down the order, as was Pablo Suarez; he also struggled with his riding due to a dislocated shoulder, hastily put back in place.

As Arnau Farre put in a stunning lap of just four marks lost, followed by Sondre Haga on nine, Billy Green kept his cool to part with a further 12 marks to finish second and, with it, he took the 2023 title.

Adding to the party in third and, for the second day running, taking the final step on the podium was Harry Hemingway, as Suarez finished ninth

to take second in the championship. The day was a disaster for Peace as he came home 14th and slipped to third.

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: Pablo Suarez (Montesa-ESP) 20; 2: Rabino 25; 3: Harry Hemingway 26; 4: Canales 30; 5: Dufrese 30; 6: Peace 31; 7: Pau Martinez (Vertigo-ESP) 33; 8: David Fabian (Beta-CZE) 34; 9: Mattia Spreafico (Vertigo-ITA) 34; 10: Pau Dinares (TRRS-ESP) 34; 17: Green 40; 20: Dance 48; 30: Smith 66; 31: Turner 66; 39: Dignan 86.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Arnau Farre (ShercoESP) 22; 2: Green 29; 3: Harry Hemingway 32; 4: Dufrese 33; 5: Haga 34; 6: Canales 35; 7: Gerard Trueba (Beta-ESP) 39; 8: Martinez 40; 9: Suarez 41; 10: Loris Gubian (TRRS-FRA) 43; 14: Peace 47; 15: Dance 51; 24: Turner 64; 36: Dignan 84; 42: Smith 97.

Jack Dance (GASGAS-GBR) 33

INTERNATIONAL SPORT • FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Pau Martinez (Vertigo-ESP)

Harry Turner (Scorpa-GBR)

WHAT A CHAMPIONSHIP!

to press, it was not confirmed what riders would be staying in or moving to Trial2, but one thing is for sure, 2024 looks like it will be, once again, the one to watch

Becoming very much the one to win, 2023 has delivered a superb season with 27 points-scoring riders in this second-tier class of riding. Six riders have won individual rounds from the 14 on offer. Such is the competitiveness, and the fact that the title could have gone to any one of three riders speaks volumes for the future. New challengers are coming to the fore in both age and experience. Arnau Farre won three rounds, Jack Dance won two and, looking at Harry Hemingway’s first year, he had three podium finishes.

Battling Brit Harry Turner has also taken points-scoring rides in seven of the 14 rounds on the Scorpa. The class also carries a mixture of two and four-stroke machinery, with the electric EM and Yamaha beginning to show their competitiveness against the fuel-aspirated machines; Gael Chatagno (FRA) even took the EM to second place on day one in Andorra. As we went

Gael Chatagno (EM FRA) 34

2023 FIM TRIAL2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

POSITIONS AFTER SEVEN ROUNDS: 1: Billy Green (Scorpa-GBR) 196; 2: Pablo Suarez (Montesa-ESP) 190; 3: Jack Peace (Sherco-GBR) 185; 4: Sondre Haga (GASGAS-NOR) 153; 5: Arnau Farre (Sherco-ESP) 151; 6: Hugo Dufrese (GASGAS-FRA) 127; 7: Harry Hemingway (Beta-GBR) 121; 8: Alex Canales (Sherco-ESP) 106; 9: Jack Dance (GASGAS-GBR) 100; 10: Pau Martinez (Vertigo-ESP) 71; 17: Harry Turner (Scorpa-GBR) 24.

WINS: Billy Green x 3 Arnau Farre x 3 Pablo Suarez x 3 Sondre Haga x 2 Wins: Jack Dance x 2; Jack Peace x 1

Top 3 2023: Suarez-Green-Peace OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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MIRO CALLING ALL TRIALS CLUBS A Trials club is often the very core of every Trials riders beginnings.

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FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • INTERNATIONAL SPORT

SUPER SOYER TRIAL2 WOMEN

A superb feeder championship to the main class, this year it revolved around two riders: Alycia Soyer (TRRS-FRA) and Alessi Baccheta (GASGAS-ITA). Small in stature but huge on ability, Soyer won four rounds, giving her the advantage, with Baccheta taking the other two. As Alessi Baccheta won the final round, Soyer had a touch of the nerves, but the fourth-place finish was enough to take the title.

The sections in this class are all at a level that allows riders to have the introduction to the FIM Trial World Championship and enjoy it.

Great Britain’s Sophia Bailey (TRRS-GBR) committed to contest the full six rounds and, with some inspired riding, learnt so much at every round. The whole atmosphere of the world championship experience and the crowds took some adjusting, but she was in the mix at all six rounds, giving it her best. The championship needs more support, so if you are considering committing, speak with Sophia Bailey, and she will tell you how much she has enjoyed it!

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Pep Segales and Christian Valerio

ROUND SIX: SESTRIERE, ITALY 22ND & 23RD JULY

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: Alessi Baccheta (GASGAS-ITA) 27; 2: Soyer 41; 3: Pi Ramirez 41; 4: Brandani 42; 5: Meling 45; 6: Lonycz 48; 7: Schneider 57; 8: Aurieres 58; 9: Yiatrou 76; 10: Bailey 76.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Alycia Soyer (TRRS-FRA) 21; 2: Baccheta 21; 3: Meling 23; 4: Brandani 29; 5: Pi Ramirez 31; 6: Lonycz 41; 7: Aurieres 51; 8: Yiatrou 65; 9: Schneider 69; 10: De Raaff 72.

ROUND SEVEN: VERTOLAYE, FRANCE 2ND & 3RD SEPTEMBER

DAY ONE 1: Alycia Soyer (TRRS-FRA) 10; 2: Baccheta 19; 3: Meling 21; 4: Mette Fidje (Sherco-NOR) 25; 5: Brandani 29; 6: Aurieres 33; 7: Pi Ramirez 42; 8: Lonycz 50; 9: Bailey 54; 10: Yiatrou 70.

DAY TWO 1: Alessi Baccheta (GASGAS-ITA) 14; 2: Fidje 18; 3: Brandani 21; 4: Soyer 24; 5: Lonycz 34; 6: Meling 35; 7: Pi Ramirez 35; 8: Aurieres 43; 9: Bailey 54; 10: De Raaff 78.

Sophia Bailey (TRRS-GBR)

2023 FIM TRIAL2 WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Top 3 2023: Baccheta-Soyer-Pi Ramirez TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

POSITIONS AFTER THREE ROUNDS: 1: Alycia Soyer (TRRS-FRA) 110; 2: Alessi Baccheta (GASGAS-ITA) 106; 3: Laia Pi Ramirez (BetaESP) 76; 4: Seline Meling (Beta-NOR) 73; 5: Marine Aurieres (Beta-FRA) 61; 6: Martina Brandani (Sherco-ITA) 52; 7: Lillie Yiatrou (Vertigo-AUS) 45; 8: Sophia Bailey (TRRS-GBR) 41; 9: Justyna Lonycz (GASGAS-POL) 39; 10: Chantel De Raaff (GASGAS-NED) 37.

WINS: Alycia Soyer x 4; Alessi Baccheta x 2 37

2023 FIM Trial3 World Champion George Hemingway TEAM HEMINGWAY 2023 FIM Trial2 World Championship 7th Harry Hemingway TEAM HEMINGWAY

Credit: Christian Valeri

FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • INTERNATIONAL SPORT

TRIAL3

KING GEORGE A worthy winner of the 2023 FIM Trial3 World Championship, George ‘King’ Hemingway (Beta-GBR) proudly followed in his older brother Harry’s footsteps. Taking six individual round wins, with Jone Sandvik (Sherco-NOR) and Jamie Galloway (TRRS-GBR) taking the remaining six with three each, gave George a clear victory. With 21 points-scoring riders, it has been a very interesting year, showing the full capabilities of the younger riders and the 125cc machines.

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Pep Segales and Christian Valeri

Jone Sandvik led the way at the start of the year, with two wins in Spain, whereas George Hemingway had his worst result of the season with a fifth-place finish on day one in the opening round. This would be the only time he would miss the podium, though, as he came straight back with a second-place finish on day two. The first round wake-up call was soon erased.

The Trial3 riders did not travel to Japan, and he would win the following two rounds in Portugal and San Marino to open up a points advantage at the head of the championship. Sandvik won on day one in Andorra to keep his faint championship hopes alive as Scotland’s ‘Brave Heart’ Jamie Galloway (TRRSGBR) took the second day’s win. It was damage limitation for George as he still made the podium and stood strong at the top of the championship.

With two rounds and four points-scoring days left in Italy and France, a mighty 80 points were still there for the taking.

ROUND SIX: SESTRIERE, ITALY 22ND & 23RD JULY

A good solid win ahead of Sandvik on day one for George in Italy, where the 125cc machines struggled with the power-sapping high altitude, edged him closer to the title. On day two, Galloway had a superb ride to take the win, with Romeo Piquet (Beta-FRA) second. Hemingway was third but, importantly, finished in front of Sandvik again.

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: George Hemingway (Beta-GBR) 6; 2: Sandvik 16; 3: Ryncarz 13; 4: Galloway 19; 5: Piquet 22; 6: Lampkin 26; 7: Pedretti 29; 8: Jorgensen 36; 9: Heidel 56; 10: Lillian Bailly (Beta-FRA) 60.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Jamie Galloway (TRRS-GBR) 14; 2: Piquet 19; 3: George Hemingway 23; 4: Sandvik 26; 5: Pedretti 27; 6: Lampkin 28; 7: Ryncarz 31; 8: Jorgensen 36; 9: Bailly 36; 10: Heidel 50.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Team Beta-Hemingway 39

INTERNATIONAL SPORT • FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Jone Sandvik (Sherco-NOR)

ROUND SEVEN: VERTOLAYE, FRANCE 2ND & 3RD SEPTEMBER

George was not messing about on day one in France and secured the 2023 title with a stunning win as Galloway pushed Sandvik down to third.

Day two turned into a fight for supremacy between the eventual winner, Galloway and the newly crowned Hemingway, the difference at the end just a single mark in the Scotsman’s favour.

DAY ONE RESULTS: 1: George Hemingway (Beta-GBR) 11; 2: Galloway 28; 3: Sandvik 32; 4: Pedretti 39; 5: Lampkin 40; 6: Jorgensen 41; 7: Heidel 44; 8: Ryncarz 50; 9: Pablo Echene (Beta-FRA) 53; 10: Piquet 57.

DAY TWO RESULTS: 1: Jamie Galloway (TRRS-GBR) 23; 2: George Hemingway (Beta-GBR) 24; 3: Ryncarz 34; 4: Pedretti 34; 5: Sandvik 37; 6: Lampkin 46; 7: Heidel 51; 8: Echene 52; 9: Jorgensen 53; 10: Piquet 55.

Alfie Lampkin (Vertigo-GBR) 40

Brave Heart: Jamie Galloway (TRRS-GBR)

STRONG GREAT BRITAIN

This has been a fantastic season in this class, so competitive right down to the championship. Great Britain’s Alfie Lampkin (Vertigo-GBR) started very strong but dropped just off the pace of the top three, taking to the podium on four occasions, with the highlight of the year a brilliant second on day one in San Marino. He eventually secured fourth overall in the championship, no mean feat among such strong opposition as Great Britain finished the year strong with three riders in the top five: George Hemingway, Jamie Galloway and Alfie Lampkin.

2023 FIM TRIAL2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

POSITIONS AFTER SIX ROUNDS: 1: George Hemingway (Beta-GBR) 212; 2: Jone Sandvik (Sherco-NOR) 189; 3: Jamie Galloway (TRRS-GBR) 176; 4: Alfie Lampkin (Vertigo-GBR) 149; 5: Pawel Ryncarz (GASGASPOL) 144; 6: Mirko Pedretti (Beta-ITA) 135; 7: Romeo Piquet (Beta-FRA) 117; 8: Jonas Jorgensen (Beta-NOR) 105; 9: Johannes Heidel (TRRSGER) 77; 10: Alessandro Ame (TRRS-ITA) 54.

WINS: George Hemingway x 6; Jone Sandvik x 3; Jamie Galloway x 3

Three ‘Brits’ in the Top Five OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

JAIMIE BUSTO (GASGAS-Factory Racing) 1st place World Championship indoor round 1

TRIALS WITHOUT THE TRIBULATIONS THE WINNER’S CHOICE Ask your local trial’s shop for Motorex

QUICK SPIN • EM 2024

CONNECT TO THE FUTURE EM 2024

EPURE RACE

Time and tide wait for no one! I find it hard to believe that it was three years ago when we had Michael Brown on one of the EM machines – yes, August 2020. Back then, it was Electric Motion, but now the name has been abbreviated to EM in 2023, and so much has changed for the forward-thinking French motorcycle manufacturer.

Here in the UK, we have witnessed the dynamic riding style of Gael Chatagno as the EM took him to a first when he won the Trial 2 class in the opening round of the 2023 ACU British Championship in the mud and water at Hookwood Trials Centre, in March. It got even better when he put the electric machine on the second step of the podium in Andorra in the FIM Trial2 World Championship class, a truly magnificent achievement.

So, what has changed to make this battery-powered machine into a true world championship challenger?

It was time to connect to the future of the sport, with Michael Brown back in the seat of the 2024 EM EPURE RACE and EPURE SPORT models.

Words: Trials Media and Michael Brown Pictures: Trials Media 42

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

EM 2024 • QUICK SPIN

A

EPURE RACE: Power and confidence allow you to push to the limit of your ability.

t first glance, not so much appears to have changed, but when you check out what has, it is quite a long list, as you are about to find out.

WHAT’S NEW: 2024 EPURE RACE The 2024 Epure Race is clear evidence that an electric motorcycle is as good as a combustion one; the competition results speak for themselves.

With its diaphragm clutch, power, acceleration, traction and lightness, this machine has all the features riders would expect. The significant improvement on the new 2024 model is that it is equipped with the EM Connect app. This allows you to keep control of your EM for even more fun and performance.

NEW: FRONT MUDGUARD AND SUPPORT New design, improved ergonomics and splash protection, over-injected aluminium protection on the mudguard with improved fork operation.

NEW: MAPS Optimised engine performance and TKO (Tick Over). Full list of all the other changes found on the new model: new rear mudguard, Reiger two-way shock, new lightweight transmission case, new main command switch, new design kit, and new disc guard.

2024 EM EPURE RACE.

EXPLAINED – DIAPHRAGM CLUTCH The Epure Race model is equipped with a diaphragm clutch with a hydraulic control — made for competition. The engine flywheel, coupled with a set of different balancing weights, allows several inertia settings.

This is an essential system for the high-level competitor and will help them clear the highest obstacles with perfect control.

EXPLAINED – TKO (TICK OVER) Directly from the racing department, the Epure Race is now equipped with the TKO, a major innovation for rider control. Thanks to EM Connect, you can switch it on or off, as well as adjust the speed and torque of the idle to get the most out of your motorcycle.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

EPURE RACE: The super Reiger rear shock.

EPURE RACE: Quality is found everywhere.

43

EM 2024 • QUICK SPIN

EPURE RACE: At the very top of its game.

EXPLAINED – EM CONNECT Simple and efficient, the EM Connect app is now available on your smartphone (IOS and Android). This functionality will open a door to the personalised and adapted configuration with several functions available: power, reactivity, TKO management, etc. Moreover, the EM Connect app offers you an easy way to track your machine status, as well as communicate with EM and your official dealer. Keep the control with EM Connect!

EXPLAINED – TFT SCREEN RPM, speed, remaining battery range, TKO start, map selection; all the important information is directly visible on your new-generation screen. The new screen benefits from the TFT technology, offering a comfort of usage and very high quality.

Connected: Matthew Alpe, on the right, with Michael Brown.

2024 EPURE RACE RRP: £9,799 SPECIFICATIONS

Connected: iPhone and EM. TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

DIMENSIONS: Seat height: 670mm; Wheelbase: 1,325mm; Ground clearance 320mm; Footrest height 360mm; Width 825mm; Weight: 73kg; Maximum Speed: 70Kmh; Maximum Range: 43km; Torque: 700Nm; Road Legal: 125CM3.

SERIES EQUIPMENT: Diaphragm clutch – hydraulic; Maps – 3; TKO; FRB; Anti-reverse; Flywheel, EM Connect.

ENGINE: Nominal power 6kw; Peak power 11kw.

TECHNICAL: Frame 15CDV6; Front brake 182mm disc four pistons; Rear brake 150mm disc two pistons; Front rim Morad trial 1.6” x 21”; Rear rim Morad trial flanged tubeless 2.15” x 18”; Tyres Michelin X11; Front suspension Aluminium Tech Racing 175mm travel; Rear suspension Reiger 2-way shock.

BATTERY: Energy LI-Ion; Voltage 50.4v; Capacity 1875Wh; Weight 10.5kg; Charger 15A; Charge time, 2.5 hours; Life cycle 1000; Mini charging temperature 0ºC. OPTIONS: 25A charger (1 hour 45 minutes) PRB’R’: This small ergonomic lever fits on your Epure Race model in a practical way. It offers the additional performance of progressive engine braking and regenerating your battery.

EM HAND GUARDS: Protect your fingers and controls with this protection.

45

QUICK SPIN • EM 2024

EPURE SPORT: A tubed rear wheel is fitted.

EPURE SPORT

EPURE SPORT: Attention to detail is evident.

WHAT’S NEW: 2024 EPURE SPORT Aimed very much at the leisure rider who wants more, this model is the perfect mix of performance and ease of use, benefiting from the latest EM technology. It is aimed at all those who want to compete in a trial and go trail riding with a silent motorcycle that requires almost no maintenance.

Its appeal is huge, not just for individuals, but riding schools or off-road centres can also benefit from its ease of riding; the Epure Sport will delight a large scope of riders.

The 2024 Epure Sport model is equipped with the diaphragm clutch that has already been approved on the Race version. A new high-quality coating DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) is applied to improve the aesthetics and front fork performance.

Full list of all the other changes found on the new model: Improved rear mudguard fixing; 10A charger; New design kit; Hydraulic diaphragm clutch; New intermediate maps; 1.8Wh battery; Steel TECH front forks with DLC coating; 1/4 turn front hood fixing.

2024 EPURE SPORT RRP: £7,999

2024 EPURE SPORT. 46

SPECIFICATIONS

We have only added the specification that differs from the 2024 EPURE RACE.

DIMENSIONS: Seat height: 670mm; Weight: 75kg.

SERIES EQUIPMENT: TKO – 2 maps (blue & red); Flywheel.

TECHNICAL: Front suspension Steel Tech 175mm travel; Rear suspension R16V 170mm travel; Rear rim Morad trial spoke tube type 2.15” x 18”; BATTERY: Charger 10A; Charging time 3.5 hours.

OPTIONS: EM CONNECT

TKO (TICK OVER): Directly from the racing department, the Epure Sport is now equipped with the TKO, a major innovation for the riders. TKO is automatically activated on two maps (Blue and Red maps) and not activated on the Green map.

TIME TO DIGEST Do read and digest the technical innovations of these two new models as the French motorcycle manufacturer continues to lead the way in the adult electric trials market.

It was interesting to talk to our experienced test rider, Michael Brown, about all the changes. As he explained, because the new 2024 EM machines are so minimalistic, you do not appreciate just how much technical development work has gone into them. It’s only apparent when you see what has been achieved with the results from Gael Chatagno and the number of new EM owners.

The major plus point has to be the EM Connect. You can tune your machine to suit you in the most accessible ways through an app on your smartphone or laptop. Because of the ease with which these changes can be made, it opens up the EM to such a broad scope of riders of all abilities. It’s common OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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QUICK SPIN • EM 2024

“You cannot have missed the impact that EM’s official factory rider, Frenchman Gael Chatagno, has had on the sport in 2023, both in the FIM Trial2 World Championship and ACU Trial 2 British Championship. Was it the rider or the electric-powered EM? We were about to find out.”

EM UK importer Matthew Alpe was, as always, full of enthusiasm for the two 2024 models we had been offered to carry out the ‘Quick Spin’.

When he asked Michael to get his iPhone out before we even went near the EPURE RACE model, it soon became evident that a lot of development work had been done on this top-specification machine for 2024. Matthew soon explained about the new ‘EM Connect APP’ technology.

EM CONNECT APP “In a very short space of time, I was connected to the app and the ease with which various settings could be changed, literally by a click on the iPhone.

From the softest settings for the newcomer to the high performance for the top rider, it was so easy to change. A wide range of settings are on offer to fine-tune the machine; another plus point is the opportunity to make the EM immobile for security. This is the most advanced technology we have found on a trial motorcycle in the last ten years.

“I know we have the EFI on the modern fuel-aspirated machines, but this EM technology takes it to another level. Having had a read through the specifications found here in this article, I must admit I was pretty excited!”

EPURE SPORT: Overall handling is second to none.

knowledge that the electric adjustment, as opposed to the mechanical one for engine performance through a carburettor, is more accurate and easier to action.

The official EM UK importer, Matthew Alpe, demonstrated how quickly and easily you can change the machine’s performance and riding characteristics; it is genuinely impressive.

QUICK SPIN Michael Brown: “Where does time go? It has been quite a while since I tested an EM; what would be new? These were my thoughts as I drove to the superb home of the official UK importers, based at the mightily impressive Inch Perfect trials shop and training experience land.

“I don’t compete as much as I used to do but remain very much a part of the trials scene, minding duties at FIM Trial World Championship rounds, and consequently, I am always having a quick spin on a range of machinery.

EPURE SPORT: An excellent suspension package inspires confidence.

48

EPURE RACE – A NEW SENSATION “You have to understand that the technique is very different with the power characteristics from electric power, and, yes, it does take a while to understand the way it performs.

“Along with the app, the TKO is another major breakthrough. I was soon very settled and attempting a wide range of hazards. The suspension and brakes are both up there with the best, and I must say that, along with the power performance, it has most certainly moved the machine up a gear.

Confidence comes easily; rolling off the throttle is second nature when searching for rear wheel grip, but the feedback from the EM just inspires this.

“The quality feel from the machine, in all areas of riding, and the performance soon became second nature, with the options for fine-tuning the machine so easy to change. EM has made a major breakthrough with the Connect app and the TKO”.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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EPURE SPORT – FOR EVERYONE “I was so impressed with this model from the word go. In my opinion, the suspension on the RACE is superior, but I can also tell that the suspension package on this SPORT model is also very good. Both brakes and suspension on the majority of the modern machines come from the same suppliers and are strong and reliable.

“On the sport, you have a choice of six map settings: three race settings – two with TKO, blue and red; and three standard maps, all without TKO. The LED indicator lights show the level; green is the lowest power, blue is next, and red is for maximum output.

“In the race setting, you have a choice of three maps: the first one has no tick-over, but the other two do. I played with the settings, which really do make a difference, giving each rider their own choice.

“Where I think the performance has changed so much is in the understanding between fuel and electric power, which is getting closer all the time; having an electric tick-over is a huge bonus.

“The EM comes ideally suited to riders of all abilities; the proof is in the product. I strongly suggest if you are not sure, then try one.”

LOOK OUT FOR THE NAME “I tried the ‘PRB’R’ on the RACE model, which is sold as an extra. This is another very innovative idea made up of a small lever on the clutch side, which offers the performance of progressive engine braking and regenerates your battery. Both models rode well above expectations, and the difference in the price point is not reflected in the performance.

“A major plus point is the residual value, which is very strong. When you purchase an EM, you are investing in a motorcycle that can take you from the beginner through to the dizzy heights of the world championship. If you do not believe me, look out for the name Gael Chatagno!”

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ULTIMATE INDOOR • DL12

DL12

2024 FIVE-STAR LINE UP

With the countdown already well underway for DL12 Indoor Trial V2.0, we look at five riders who aim to pack a podium punch in Sheffield in the New Year. Following a prolonged, pandemicenforced absence, Britain finally regained its rightful place on the global trials map in January of this year when the inaugural DL12 Indoor Trial was staged at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, where the sport received a fitting homecoming and was welcomed back by a capacity audience of passionate fans. A world-class field in the heart of trials’ spiritual White Rose County homeland, could it possibly get any better? Well, how about a DL12 Indoor Trial V2.0 on Saturday, 13th January 2024?

Words: DL12 Trials Media • Pictures: Trials Media.

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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

DL12 INDOOR DL12 •TRIAL ULTIMATE • SHOWTIME INDOOR

A very happy winner: Adam Raga-ESP).

D

Dougie Lampkin (GBR) and Toni Bou (ESP).

ougie Lampkin has never been a man content to rest on his laurels; you don’t win 12 FIM World Championship titles by sitting around on your jacksy, waiting for opportunities to come knocking!

Together with event co-promoter Jake Miller, the trials legend is working feverishly to pull together a bigger, better and even ballsier second edition of the event. The final entry is still in the process of being finalised, but you can guarantee that the very best riders on the planet will be in action in the Steel City in the New Year, and with the ink now dry on five contracts, this is as good a time as any to take a look at the Titans of Trial confirmed so far.

TONI BOU (ESP)

REPSOL HONDA As has been the case for the last 16 years, any top-flight trials entry list has to start with Toni Bou. Since claiming his first FIM X-Trial and Trial World Championship titles in 2007, the Spanish motorcycle superstar has yet to taste defeat across an entire World Championship season as he has rewritten, and then rewritten again, the record books time after time with the four-stroke Cota 4RT. At the age of 36, although he will be 37 by the time DL12 Indoor Trial V2.0 rolls around, the Catalan King has just sewn up another FIM TrialGP World Championship and is showing no signs of slowing down.

He currently leads the FIM X-Trial World Championship standings indoors as he bids to dominate the sport for the 17th consecutive season. Having said that, Bou’s last visit to Sheffield saw him fail to end the night on the top step of the podium for just the second time in 15 appearances after a heel injury sustained on the Rock Oil rocks sidelined him before the Final.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Toni Bou (ESP) leads the way on section inspection.

Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP).

51

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DL12 • ULTIMATE INDOOR

Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP).

ADAM RAGA (ESP)

TRRS With Bou out of the running, the scene was set for his compatriot, friend and long-time rival Adam Raga to step up and finally complete the hat-trick he took his first steps towards achieving all the way back in 2005. He then moved one win closer to it in 2016 when he became the first rider to dethrone Bou at a Sheffield event on his debut with the new TRRS. Very much the elder statesman of trials elite riders, at the age of 41, the two-time TrialGP World Champion dominated X-Trial indoor for four consecutive years from 2003 to 2006 and is still a threat whenever he swings his leg over a motorcycle, regularly dishing out lessons in technique and throttle control to riders young enough to be his kids!

No one knows their way around Sheffield as well as Raga, who was third on his debut in 2002 and has competed in every event there since with a total of 15 podium finishes from 19 appearances to his name.

Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) is always strong at Sheffield.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Jaime Busto (GASGAS-ESP): An explosive, super talent.

JAIME BUSTO (ESP)

GASGAS The evergreen Raga will be back in 2024 to try and make it a fantastic four Sheffield wins.

Still, there is no shortage of ambitious, hungry young riders waiting to wrestle the crown away from him, and right at the front of this not-always-orderly queue is Jaime Busto.

The 26-year-old Basque rider from Bilbao is enjoying a stellar season and sits second in both the FIM X-Trial and FIM TrialGP points tables. So far, 2023 has seen him ride to a super-strong second at Sheffield, when he pushed Raga all the way to the final section on his return to GASGAS following four years with Vertigo before maintaining a 100% podium record, including a win in Austria, at the opening four rounds of the 2023 FIM X-Trial World Championship. He then carried this sparkling form into the great outdoors, matching Bou win-for-win through the opening six points-scoring days of TrialGP competition in Spain, Portugal and Japan, and has only missed the podium once in 12 attempts, consolidating his widely held reputation as the rider first in line to eventually inherit his fellow Spaniard’s throne.

FIM Trial2 champion in 2014, Busto had to wait for another three years before making his first appearance at Sheffield, though he has since become a regular rider and a firm fan-favourite who has only missed out on a place in the final once in his three subsequent visits.

Jaime Busto (GASGAS-ESP): Can he win at Sheffield?

53

ULTIMATE INDOOR • DL12

Gabriel Marcelli (Repsol Honda-ESP) showing total commitment.

Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK): Great Britian’s world championship challenger.

GABRIEL MARCELLI (ESP)

TOBY MARTYN (UK)

REPSOL HONDA When Takahisa Fujinami retired from top-flight riding at the end of 2021, it looked as though the sport at the very highest level was going to be a man down when it came to a rider with a thrilling all-action, attacking style.

Luckily, Gabriel Marcelli was waiting in the wings to take over his position in the Repsol Honda Trials Team on the four-stroke machine. Having already served an FIM Trial2 apprenticeship that culminated in the 2019 title, the 23-year-old Spaniard made a sensational start to his FIM TrialGP career in 2020 with a podium in his first season as he muscled his way ahead of much more experienced riders to an end-of-year sixth.

Built like a bull thanks to a dedicated gym regime, Marcelli signed on the line as Bou’s team-mate on the all-conquering Repsol Honda team for the start of 2022, and just like his Team Manager ‘Fujigas’ he has found the perfect weapon in the factory four-stroke to showcase his forceful, aggressive style. Although he lacks the experience of Bou, Raga and Busto, Marcelli has a string of X-Trial and TrialGP podiums on his CV and currently lies third in the FIM X-Trial championship after kicking off the 2023 indoor season with third on his Sheffield debut when he won the hearts and minds of the crowd.

MONTESA HONDA Also 23 and with an FIM Trial2 title under his belt, in January, home hero Toby Martyn made his second Sheffield appearance when he fought his way through to the final and was rewarded with a fourth-place finish as he debuted his new semi-privateer machine. The two-time ACU Trial GB British Champion built on this result by posting a string of solid FIM X-Trial results to finesse his way up to fifth in the indoor standings before the series took a backseat to the outdoor championship. He then recorded a career-best sixth on the first day of competition at the opening TrialGP round of the year. Unfortunately, the second day at Arteixo in north-west Spain ended prematurely when he crashed heavily, sustaining a back injury that forced him to miss the next four rounds. He was back in action at the TrialGP of Italy towards the end of July and in France, when he scored a couple of top-ten finishes that clearly indicate the only way is up for the Cornishman.

Tickets for the 2024 DL12 Indoor Trial on 13th January are on sale now.

For your only chance to see Bou, Raga, Busto, Marcelli and Martyn in indoor action in the UK in 2024, visit www.dl12indoortrial.co.uk to book your seats now!

Will Adam Raga still be on the top spot in 2024?

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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TONI BOU 2023 FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPION T E A M

R E P S O L

H O N D A

Picture Credit: Pep Segales

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EARLY YEARS • TONI BOU

A NEW TALENT TONI BOU

During my years watching motorcycle trials, I have seen some remarkable talent rise through the ranks to become world champions. Some riders have surprised me by going all the way, and in my opinion, there has been some wonderful talent that never made it to the very top to become an FIM World Trials Champion; Steve Saunders always springs to mind. Watching Great Britain’s Dougie Lampkin from a very young age was a pleasure as, in the early days, I had some doubts about whether he would take the title. It was pure dedication that took him to the top, not just from Dougie but also from his family led by the very first FIM World Champion, his father Martin, in 1975 on the Bultaco — wonderful times, I might add. When speaking at the 2005 FIM World Round at Hawkstone Park with Martin, he mentioned a new talent from Spain who had caught his eye, a certain Toni Bou. It was during the practice session that we were speaking, and I made a note to myself to keep an eye out for him. He was young and enthusiastic and rode the Beta like ‘Spiderman’, positioning his body at a rapid rate of knots to keep the Italian machine stable and his feet on the footrests. Martin Lampkin had an eye for talent and had certainly hit the money with his prediction on Toni Bou! Words: Yoomee • Pictures: Eric ‘EK’ Kitchen, Peter J Beardmore, Trials Media, John E Shirt.

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2007: Winning the opening world round in Spain.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TONI BOU • EARLY YEARS

2002: On the podium: left to right: Toni Bou (ESP) Isacc Pons (ESP) Tom Sagar (GBR) James Dabill (GBR).

B

orn on 17th October 1986, Toni came from an enthusiastic motorcycle family headed by his father, also called Toni.

I do not have any record of his early years apart from the fact that he rode through the youth system riding a mixture of machines, including an Aprilia 50, Merlin 50, Beta 80 and Gas Gas 125, 160 and 250 before he surfaced in the FIM European Championship on a 250cc Beta at 14 years old.

After the FIM World Championship-winning years of Jordi Tarres on the Beta in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991 and again from 1993 until 1995 on the Gas Gas, and Marc Colomer (Montesa) in 1996, Spanish riders had been kept away from

2003: Checking the line in Spain with Jeroni Fajardo.

the championship as Great Britain’s Dougie Lampkin had dominated the tournament from 1997 consecutively until 2003. As Japan’s Takahisa Fujinami won on the two-stroke Honda in 2004, Spain had a new rider on the top: Adam Raga (Gas Gas), who won in 2005 and 2006. So where did Toni Bou come into the equation and start to show his brilliance in this slow-speed, two-wheeled sport?

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP This was a brilliant championship and an ideal feeder for any trials rider with world championship aspirations until the FIM separated it from the world championship.

Some of the European rounds stood alone, whilst some were run over the same weekend as the world championship, a superb way of bringing riders into the very cutting edge of the sport.

Toni Bou first found success in the 2001 FIM European Youth 250cc Championship on the Beta. It was a three-round championship; Toni had a good start with a win in France and a third in Spain before finishing second in Spain in the final round. The winner of the title would be another super talent from Spain, Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas). He totalled 57 points with two wins, with Bou second on 52. Toni Bou (Beta) came back in 2002 to take the FIM European Youth

2003: Already showing his style at the Spanish world round.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

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TONI BOU • EARLY YEARS

2004: Fresh faced and ready for action in Ireland.

2004 Ireland: The stance that would soon become so recognised.

250cc Championship with two wins and a second, as the series was once again contested over three rounds. He won in France and came second in Italy before securing the crown in the final round in Spain with a total of 57 points.

Isaac Pons (Gas Gas-ESP) was second on 48 points, with Great Britain’s James Dabill (Scorpa) third on 41 and Tom Sagar (Beta) fourth on 40 points.

MOVING UP Having received support from the Spanish Beta importer Trueba, at 16 years old, he moved up into the factory squad in 2003 in a four-man international team that included Kenichi Kuroyama (JPN), Albert Cabestany (ESP) and Josep Manzano (ESP).

The opening world round would be at Bangor in Ireland, with the sections located on the exposed headland close to the harbour.

Pushing Dougie Lampkin (Montesa) off the top spot would be Takahisa Fujinami (Honda), as they had a close-fought contest with the scores at 14 and 17 marks lost, in the Japanese rider’s favour. Toni Bou would finish 15th for the last point, his first ever, finishing just two marks behind Steve Colley (Gas Gas-GBR).

On day two, he just missed out on the pointsscoring positions, finishing 16th; he still had so much to learn at this level of riding, and he knew it.

No points would be scored in Luxembourg before he came back with two 15th places in Germany. Due to the expense, he did not travel to Japan, but from then on, he scored in all the remaining rounds, with his best scores of three eighth-place finishes in Spain, Italy and Spain again for the European round at the year-end.

He finished the first year in 13th position on 61 points and the lowest-placed factory-supported rider of the four Beta riders; their highlight was a single win for Albert Cabestany in Spain.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

2004: On the first trip to Japan.

2005: Moving up to fifth in the world championship.

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EARLY YEARS • TONI BOU

2006: A winning start to the year at the Sheffield FIM Indoor in Great Britain.

2004 was again a learning year, as Toni moved up to finish ninth overall, scoring points in all 16 rounds. His highest finish was fourth in Switzerland, at the final round on day one, but most importantly, he had 14 top-ten finishes and was the third-highest placed Beta rider.

For the first time in eight years, the FIM World Trials Championship had a new winner as Takahisa Fujinami (Honda) became the first and only Japanese holder of the title; Dougie Lampkin (Montesa) was second, with a new title contender in third, Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP).

2006 Spain: In total control on the way to his first FIM World round win.

CHANGING TIMES At 19 years old, Toni moved to the indoor trials, with his first event in 2005 in Toulouse, France, where he finished fourth before taking his first podium with a third-place finish in Italy in February to finish seventh overall. As the FIM encouraged the motorcycle manufacturers to provide competitive four-stroke machinery, Montesa launched the Honda-engined Cota 4RT with its three riders, Takahisa Fujinami, Dougie Lampkin and Marc Frexia, in 2005.

Dougie Lampkin gave the new four-stroke a

win at the opening round in Portugal, but the man on the championship rampage was Spain’s Adam Raga. Riding the new, well-developed lightweight Gas Gas ‘Pro’ model, he won eight of the 15 rounds, but, importantly, Toni Bou finished the year fifth overall; he was getting more consistent. He had his first podium visit in the USA in May on day one, along with ten top-ten finishes and another podium finish in Germany in September, this time on the second step as he finished nine marks behind Adam Raga.

2006 Great Britain: All eyes are on Toni Bou at Hawkstone Park.

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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TR IAL S DE PO T

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TONI BOU • EARLY YEARS

2006: The winning TDN team from Spain: Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas) Albert Cabestany (Sherco) Adam Raga (Gas Gas) Toni Bou (Beta).

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER Growing more confident with every one of his growing years, Toni Bou sent out a strong warning shot to the trials world with his first indoor win at the 2006 opening round in front of Dougie Lampkin’s home crowd in Sheffield, Great Britain. Beta now only had one fully supported rider in Bou, and he was delivering the goods. This first indoor victory would be backed up with another in Spain in February on his way to third overall in the FIM Championship behind second-placed Albert Cabestany (ShercoESP) and the winner Adam Raga (Gas Gas).

With extra-found confidence, Toni Bou started to believe in himself, and he produced the goods with a sensational win at the opening 2006 round in Spain. All eyes were on Adam Raga, the defending world champion, but Bou kept his nerve to give Beta the win by eight marks; 19 years old and a world round winner – it still sounds good.

As the year unfolded, Takahisa Fujinami put up a brave fight on the four-stroke, but no one had an answer to Adam Raga, who took his second world title. Bou would win again on day one in Japan, finishing the year fifth overall once again.

2007: Development of the new fourstroke was headed by Miquel Ciera. 2007: Honda and Montesa had heavily invested in the new Cota 4RT. TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

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EARLY YEARS • TONI BOU

2007 Spain: Toni Bou – young, dynamic and on a mission.

2007 Spain: A fully focussed Toni Bou.

TONI BOU (ESP) 2007 FIM WORLD TRIALS CHAMPION INDOOR AND OUTDOOR Behind closed doors, Montesa Honda had heavily invested in the new four-stroke project and wanted a winner.

Development of the new machine had been pushed all the way, headed by Miquel Ciera with his riders Lampkin and Fujinami, and with superb backup from a team of experienced engineers from Japan and Spain. Bou would inherit a superb, well-developed machine, and he knew it; the move was quite an easy transition for him from two-stroke over to four-stroke power.

Three more wins followed a winning debut ride in Great Britain at Sheffield in the eight-round championship. Toni Bou was a winner indoors; could he repeat it outdoors? I was actually at that first world round in Spain.

On the opening lap, Bou suffered a big crash, but he gathered himself together to take a five-mark victory in front of Adam Raga to take the win; he was elated. He would easily take his first FIM World Trials Championship by winning nine of the 11 rounds; Montesa were the new world champions.

This battle between Toni Bou and Adam Raga would last until the present day, with Bou taking the honours all the way along. Having just won his 33rd FIM World title, it is something that I will never see again in my lifetime. Toni Bou, I salute you.

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2007: Warming up with the four-stroke in Spain at the start of the 2007 FIM World Championship season.

2007 Spain: Winning would become the order of the day.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ALWAYS A DEAL TO BE HAD

LATEST MODELS IN STOCK

PART-X ALWAYS WELCOME

SPORT • ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

OH, SO CLOSE LADIES & GIRLS

Alice Minta (Scorpa)

The 2023 ACU Belle Trailers Ladies’ & Girls’ British Trials Championship enjoyed good, strong entries over the five events and seven points-scoring days, with a total of 44 points-scoring riders showing strength in numbers.

Words: Trials Media • Pictures: Martyn Parnell

Lucy Ayrton (TRRS) 72

Brianna King (Sherco) OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP • SPORT

Mille Duval (GASGAS)

Summer Peters (Beta)

It was a trip across the Irish sea for the final round on the Isle of Man in late July, where the championship classes would be resolved in a superb, excellent, well-organised event run over two days.

The Ladies’ Class witnessed a strong fight for the title with two super talents involved, Alice Minta (Scorpa) and Katlyn Adshead (TRRS). Alice had five wins, Katlyn one and Alicia Robinson one, which gave Alice the upper hand with a clear points win.

Lucy Ayrton (TRRS) and Megan Savage (GASGAS) took it to the wire in the Ladies’ 50/50.

With Megan winning the final two rounds but not contesting the whole series, Lucy’s commitment to the championship gave her the title.

Brianna King (Sherco) and Sophie White (GASGAS) fought hard at every round in the Girls’ A 50/50 Class. It went to the second day on the Isle of Man to decide the title in King’s favour as she remained calm and took a clear victory from White to tie up the title.

In any class with just two riders, consistency would secure the title in the Girls’ B 50/50 Class and Summer Peters’ (Beta) five wins to Scorpa rider Holly Dixon’s two gave her the title by a clear nine points.

Locked in battle to the very end, Millie Duval (GASGAS) took both wins in the final two rounds,

Kayleigh Rich (Beta)

pushing the experienced Niki Louis (Vertigo) down to the second step on the podium in the Ladies’ Intermediate class. Duval held the upper hand and gained the points advantage through her five wins to Niki’s two.

Kayleigh Rich (Beta) won six of the seven rounds to secure the Girls’ B Intermediate class, with Sophie Ferguson (Sherco) having won in the early part of the year at Nene Valley.

Sophie Sellers (Beta) is another emerging talent coming through the ranks, and her Girls’ C Championship title was well deserved. Only contesting the opening three rounds, Daisy Craig took the wins, but Sellers remained close and won the final four rounds, followed by Scarlett Collins (Beta).

It was a super-consistent Clodagh Higgins (Beta) who took the top spot in the Girls’ D Championship as she remained strong all season despite taking just the one win at Scunthorpe.

Daisy Brooks remained in the mix on the electric TRRS, winning four rounds, but missed the final two as Isla Kennington (Beta) beat them to take second in the championship.

With sponsorship from Belle Trailers, this year’s ACU Ladies’ & Girls’ Trials Championship has shown just how strong the female side of our sport is in the UK..

Sophie Sellers (Beta)

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

2023 ACU BELLE TRAILERS LADIES’ & GIRLS’ BRITISH TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND 7: PEVERIL MCC, ISLE OF MAN 29-30 JULY 2023 LADIES’ CLASS: 1: Alice Minta (Scorpa) 132; 2: Katlyn Adshead (TRRS) 118; 2: Alicia Robinson (Beta) 84.

LADIES’ 50/50: 1: Lucy Ayrton (TRRS) 85; 2: Megan Savage (GASGAS) 80; 3: Hannah Richardson (TRRS) 60.

GIRLS’ A 50/50: 1: Brianna King (Sherco) 129; 2: Sophie White (GASGAS) 124; 3: Ruby McCubbon (Beta) 111.

GIRLS’ B 50/50: 1: Summer Peters (Beta) 134; 2: Holly Dixon (Scorpa) 125.

LADIES INTERMEDIATE: 1: Millie Duval (GASGAS) 134; 2: Niki Louise (Vertigo) 123; 3: Carrie Dickinson (Sherco) 87.

GIRLS’ B INTERMEDIATE: 1: Kayleigh Rich (Beta) 137; 2: Sophie Ferguson (Sherco) 37.

GIRLS’ C CHAMPIONSHIP: 1: Sophie Sellers (Beta) 129; 2: Scarlett Collins (Beta) 101; 3: Lily Wright (Beta) 95.

GIRLS’ D CHAMPIONSHIP: 1: Clodagh Higgins (Beta) 122; 2: Isla Kennington (Beta) 117; 3: Daisy Brooks (TRRS) 95.

Clodagh Higgins (Beta) 73

SPORT • ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

JACK PEACE TRIAL GB CHAMPION 2023

A delighted Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) took the win at round seven, but second place was enough for Jack Peace (Sherco) to be crowned the 2023 ACU Trial GB British Champion. With only the best seven rounds counting from the eight on offer, mathematically, it was only Billy Green (Scorpa) who could have taken the fight for the title to the final round, but it was not to be. Jack has won four, had two seconds, and a fourth, but the extra five points for the best individual laps made him untouchable with one round remaining.

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Trials Media

Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) 74

Jack Dance (GASGAS) OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP • SPORT

Harry Hemingway (Beta)

This challenging venue for round seven at Summerbridge, Harrogate, run by Ripon Motor Cycle Club, produced a very close result for the top three, who all finished within one mark of each other. As early as the first lap, the indications were that it would be a fight between the defending champion, Toby Martyn and Jack Peace, and it was proved correct. They both looked very confident, with Peace leading the way through the sections on the opening lap. It was a dry day with a light breeze, but some of the rocks polished up, as Martyn found out with a stop in section five.

Billy Green (Scorpa)

Lap one had these two head-to-head on seven marks lost, looking like they would be taking the fight into the rest of the trial.

Harry Hemingway is a super-hot young talent, and on the second lap, he came in with the lowest single-lap score of the trial, with a mere six marks lost! Martyn was in trouble, with three stops and a lap score of 22, pushing his total to 29 and down into third overall.

Peace held strong with a total of 20 for the two laps; suddenly, Hemingway was now second, just a single mark behind the leader.

On the final lap, Martyn pushed the four-stroke

Montesa to the limit with a score of eight; he looked good as Peace and Hemingway dropped 18 apiece.

As the final scores came up on the results screen, Martyn had won by a single mark from Peace, with Hemingway a single mark behind; it really had been that close.

For Billy Green, it had been a really difficult day as he struggled with an intermittent electrical sensor fault on the orange Scorpa.

Jack Peace had done enough to secure the title with one round remaining. He was happy, to say the least; well done.

TRIAL GB CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND SEVEN: SUMMERBRIDGE, HARROGATE 20 AUGUST 2023 RESULTS: 1: Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) 37; 2: Jack Peace (Sherco) 38; 3: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 39; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 67; 5: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 117; 6: Billy Green (Scorpa) 134.

TRIAL GB CHAMPIONSHIP THE BEST SEVEN FROM EIGHT TO COUNT

POSITIONS (7 OF 8 ROUNDS): 1: Jack Peace (Sherco) 127 + 5* = 132 (2023 Champion); 2: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 107 +2* = 109; 3: Billy Green (Scorpa) 107; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 85; 5: Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) 72; 6: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 64; 7: Dan Peace (Sherco) 9.

Podium TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

*Extra championship points for the best laps on observation.

75

ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP • SPORT

GEORGE HEMINGWAY TRIAL 2 CHAMPION 2023

Winning on a Beta 125cc machine would always be a huge task at this power venue with its unforgiving huge rocks and steep climbs. Clerk of the course Joel Sadler and his team had plotted out a good variety of sections, and, as with the Trial GB results, no one could have predicted the winner. Andy Chilton and James Fry fought hard for first and second, but the third-place finish from George Hemingway was something else, and the reward was the ACU Trial2 British Championship crown; well done, George!

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Trials Media

Andy Chilton (Scorpa) TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

James Fry (Sherco) 77

SPORT • ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Hugo Jervis (Beta)

Experience of any venue is worth its weight in gold, and it showed, as the sectionplotting team from Ripon Motor Cycle Club very much came close to matching the final scores from Trial GB in the Trial 2 class.

Having yet to commit to an entire championship season in 2023, Andy Chilton has worked hard on the new fuel-injected Scorpa along with the UK importer Nigel Birkett, and it is now at a point of winning, as he would prove. ‘Chilli’ was in top form on the opening lap with the best score of nine marks lost, followed by James Fry (Sherco) on 12 and one of the series finds in 2023, Oliver Smith (TRRS) on 13.

On the second lap, Smith matched Chilton for the lap scores of 12 each as Fry spoiled his score with a stop at the very start of the second lap on section one. Chilton still held the lead but was followed closely by Smith, Fry and George Hemingway.

On the third and final lap, it was Hemingway who put the hammer down with a lap of nine lost, which matched Chilton’s first lap effort, pulling him into a podium position as Smith blew out with a score of 20.

As James Fry came good, parting with 12, Chilton stayed calm with a loss of 17 to take the win by two marks. Fry finished on a total of 41, the same as Hemingway, but took the second step on the podium with the tie-break decider.

When the points were added up, George Hemingway had won the championship title with one round remaining; ‘G-Man’ had hit the top spot again in his short but very rewarding trials riding career.

78

Oliver Smith (TRRS)

Jamie Galloway (TRRS)

TRIAL 2 CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND SEVEN: SUMMERBRIDGE, HARROGATE, 20 AUGUST 2023 RESULTS: 1: Andy Chilton (Scorpa) 39; 2: James Fry (Sherco) 41; 3: George Hemingway (Beta) 41; 4: Oliver Smith (TRRS) 46; 5: Hugo Jervis (Beta) 61; 6: George Morton (Scorpa) 76; 7: Duncan MacColl (Beta) 77; 8: Jamie Galloway (TRRS) 79; 9: Sam Connor (Beta) 88; 10: John Hanlon (GASGAS) 92; 11: Alfie Lampkin (Vertigo) 97; 12: Thomas Hawthorne (Sherco) 157.

TRIAL 2 CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS (7 OF 8 ROUNDS): 1: George Hemingway (Beta) 118 + 4* = 122; 2: James Fry (Sherco) 89; 3: Oliver Smith (TRRS) 79; 4: Hugo Jervis (Beta) 65; 5: Jamie Galloway (TRRS) 63; 6: Andy Chilton (Scorpa) 62 + 1* = 63; 7: Duncan MacColl (Beta) 45; 8: Alfie Lampkin (Vertigo) 42; 9: Chris Stay (TRRS) 40; 10: Sam Connor (Beta) 40; 11: Gael Chatagno (EM-FRA) 37 + 2* = 39; 12: Alexz Wigg (Vertigo) 33; 13: John Hanlon (Beta/GASGAS) 31; 14: George Morton (Scorpa) 25; 15: Sam Haslam (GASGAS) 23; 16: Jack Price (Vertigo) 20 + 1* = 21. *Extra championship points for the best laps on observation.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP • SPORT

TRIAL EXPERT

BULLOCK’S PRESSURE POINTS Attracting the most entries, this class continues to be as competitive as ever, with the fight for the treasured championship points fought all the way down the order. At the top, Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) has the advantage as Brad Bullock (Beta) maintains the pressure, taking the fight all the way to the final round with another win, his third of the year. Thorpe holds the upper hand with his sheer consistency, which has also been rewarded with four wins and three runner-up positions; Thorpe and Bullock have the same bonus points, three each for the best single-lap scores.

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Trials Media

Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Emma Bristow (Sherco) 81

SPORT • ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRRS)

Charlie Smith (Vertigo)

Corey Dubik (Vertigo)

It is interesting to note that neither the trial winner, Brad Bullock, nor second-placed Dan Thorpe conceded a five-mark penalty over the three laps of 12 sections. The deciding factor in the win was Thorpe’s second lap score of 11 marks lost on his second lap as Bullock remained consistent with single-figure scores.

On the opening lap, it was Brad who took an early lead with the best single-lap score as he parted with just five marks, followed by Charlie Smith (Vertigo) on seven, Thorpe on eight and Emma Bristow (Sherco) and Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRRS) who were on nine.

On the second lap, it was Brad again who remained in control with another lap of five marks lost; his total of ten had given him the advantage as Thorpe’s score of 11 increased his total to 19. Charlie Smith remained in the fight for the podium positions with a total of 17.

On the final lap, Bullock remained super consistent with a lap of six, which gave him the win. Using his many years of experience, Thorpe clawed back into second position with a lap of seven as Emma Bristow showed her qualities amongst her female counterparts by taking the final step on the podium after winning the tie-break decider with Charlie Smith.

With no Electric class, Chris Pearson moved into the Experts on the EM – Electric Motion and was rewarded with a fifth-place finish.

TRIAL EXPERT CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND SEVEN: SUMMERBRIDGE HARROGATE, 20 AUGUST 2023

RESULTS: 1: Brad Bullock (Beta) 16; 2: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 26; 3: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 33; 4: Charlie Smith (Vertigo) 33; 5: Chris Pearson (EM) 42; 6: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 44; 7: Malcolm Summers (Scorpa) 44; 8: Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRRS) 49; 9: Josh McParland (Beta) 49; 10: Elliot Laws (Scorpa) 51; 11: Cory Dubik (Vertigo) 56; 12: Bevan Blacker (GASGAS) 59; 13: Joseph Collins (Beta) 60; 14: Oliver Sharp (GASGAS) 60; 15: Cameron Brice (Beta) 63.

TRIAL EXPERT CHAMPIONSHIP

Chris Pearson (EM) 82

POSITIONS (7 OF 8 ROUNDS): 1: Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 131 + 3* = 134; 2: Brad Bullock (Beta) 122 + 3* = 125; 3: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 80; 4: Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRRS) 76 + 1* = 77; 5: Charlie Smith (Vertigo) 76; 6: Corey Dubik (Vertigo) 52; 7: Oliver Sharp (GASGAS) 46; 8: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 45; 9: Joseph Collins (Beta) 41; 10: George Gosden (Beta) 33 + 1* = 34; 11: Malcolm Summers (Scorpa) 34; 12: Cameron Brice (Beta) 22; 13: Jonny Starmer (Beta) 19; 14: Bret Harbud (Beta) 16; 15: Chris Pearson (EM) 14. *Extra championship points for the best laps on observation.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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SPORT • ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

HARISON HOLDS ON TRIAL 125

As mentioned, this is a fight between three very talented riders pushing each other all the way.

Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Trials Media

With twists and turns all day long at Summerbridge, the opening lap had Harison Skelton (Scorpa) holding a four-mark advantage on 14 over Daniel Da Breo (GASGAS) and Harry Blackwell (Beta), both on 18.

On the second lap, Skelton and Blackwell buckled, each parting with 21 marks lost as Da Breo showed his true ability with a super lap of 12 to take the lead.

The last lap would see Da Breo say goodbye to his first win as he lost 27, and Skelton came fighting back with a score of 21 to snatch the victory by a single mark, with Blackwell also having a disaster, pushing him down to third. The final round will see all three under pressure; can De Breo take his first win? May the best man win.

Harry Blackwell (Beta)

TRIAL 125 CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND SEVEN: SUMMERBRIDGE, HARROGATE 20 AUGUST 2023 RESULTS: 1: Harison Skelton (Scorpa) 56; 2: Daniel Da Breo (GASGAS) 57; 3: Harry Blackwell (Beta) 67.

TRIAL 125 CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS (7 OF 8 ROUNDS): 1: Harison Skelton (Scorpa) 127 + 3* = 130; 2: Harry Blackwell (Beta) 126 + 2* = 128; 3: Daniel Da Breo (GASGAS) 111 + 2* = 113.

Daniel Da Breo (GASGAS) 84

*Extra championship points for the best laps on observation.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

HISTORY • INDOOR

INDOOR TRIALS FIM 1993–2022

Indoor – or demonstration trials – date back to the ’70s. I vaguely remember Don Smith on the Kawasaki going to Holland before I competed in what was some summer fun with the village fetes and galas. I am sure so many riders can remember when local clubs worked with local communities to put on such events, where man and machine would ride over some man-made hazards; they were actually very popular and a way of earning some extra cash.

With Spain still leading the way with motorcycle manufacturing in the trials world, they wanted more exposure for their home-grown products. In 1978, the very first Barcelona indoor trial was run. It was a way of showing off the skills of motorcycle trials, but based on its initial popularity, it soon became a mainstay event on the international calendar. It would open the door for other countries to stage indoor trials as they had noted the success in Barcelona.

Other indoor types of events would begin to appear across Europe and America, and as far afield as Japan, focusing more on a riding demonstration and not always as a competition. Fans of motorcycle trials were more than happy to go and see an indoor show instead of trudging across open moorland or fields.

It is quite hard to believe that the FIM Indoor World Trials Championship was born so long ago, in 1993. In 2023, as the indoor series approaches its 30th birthday, in this feature, we take a brief look over the indoor trials since it became an official FIM Trial World Championship.

Words: Yoomee • Pictures: Solo Moto, Pep Segales, Trials Media, Joan Valls, Mario Candellone, Eric Kitchen.

86

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

INDOOR • HISTORY

In 2017 the Barcelona Indoor Trial celebrated 40 years since the first event in 1978. The winner four decades ago was Jaime Subira, seen here on a Montesa.

T

hat first major indoor event happened in Spain, at the city’s Palais des Sports stadium in Barcelona, on the Thursday evening of 24th January 1978; it literally sold out. Free access was granted to those who possessed a copy of the SoloMoto magazine, which had organised the competition in response to the Spanish motorcycle manufacturers Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa.

It was the springboard for the thoughts of a full season of indoor events where the top riders could show their skills and gain some extra financial income.

EARLY INDOORS As we moved away from the Spanish motorcycle manufacturers’ domination of the trials world in the late 1970s, more European manufacturers joined the trials scene, followed by the Japanese in the 1980s.

In Great Britain, we witnessed the massive success of the ‘Kickstart’ arena-style events on television, where American rider Bernie Schreiber on the SWM became a significant influence, along with Eddy Lejeune (Honda-BEL) and the home talents of the big three in the ’80s led by Steve Saunders, John Lampkin and Tony Scarlett. All three had also ridden in Japan at the invitation indoor, and word was spreading like rapid-fire about this new way of witnessing motorcycle trials close up.

With continued success, in 1992, the Barcelona indoor event moved to the Palau Sant Jordi stadium. The venue had a much larger floor space and offered the opportunity for more spectators to attend, as well as a better selection of sections for the riders to perform on. This allowed the powers in the FIM to put forward their proposals for an official FIM Indoor World Trials Championship in 1993, which was accepted.

As Spain’s ‘King’ of indoor trials, Jordi Tarres, approached the end of his success on the Beta, he moved to Gas Gas; would he become the first official FIM Indoor World Champion?

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Bernie Schreiber (ItaljetUSA) jumps over the invited guest at the 1981 ‘Kickstart’ arena trial in Great Britain.

Spain’s ‘King’ of the indoor trials, Jordi Tarres (Beta) in 1987.

87

HISTORY • INDOOR

The accolade of the first FIM Indoor World Trials Champion in 1993 would go to Tommi Ahvala (Aprilia-FIN).

PODIUMS Here, we review the podiums from 1993 to 2022, where only six riders won the FIM World Trials Championship.

1993: 14 ROUNDS, 25 POINT-SCORING RIDERS The FIM delivered a full 14-round championship with six rounds in Spain, four in France and one in Italy, Andorra, Finland and

Seen here in 1995, Great Britain had three regular points scorers at the indoors with Steve Colley (Gas Gas), Graham Jarvis (Scorpa) and Dougie Lampkin (Beta).

Germany. The man on form, who would go on to win the accolade of the first FIM Indoor World Champion, would be the 1992 FIM World Trials Champion Tommi Ahvala (Aprilia-FIN).

Ironically, Jordi Tarres, on the new Gas Gas, finished second in the FIM Indoor Championship but regained his outdoor FIM World Championship in 1993.

RESULTS: 1: Tommi Ahvala

(Aprilia-FIN) 973; 2: Diego Bosis (Fantic-ITA) 863; 3: Marc Colomer (Montesa/Beta-ESP) 845.

1994: 18 ROUNDS, 32 POINT-SCORING RIDERS The championship moved to a massive 18 rounds. With six in Spain, five in France, two in Germany, and one each in Italy, Andorra, Finland and Monte Carlo, it became a true ‘World’

championship with a round in Japan. A new trials superstar from Spain was emerging, Marc Colomer (Beta), who kept Jordi Tarres and Gas Gas away from the title as Tommi Ahvala changed mid-season from Apriila to Fantic and dropped to third.

RESULTS: 1: Marc Colomer (BetaESP) 1,167; 2: Jordi Tarres (Gas Gas-ESP) 1,009; 3: Tommi Ahvala (Aprilia/Fantic-FIN) 849.

Great Britain’s Dougie Lampkin MBE on the Beta, winning at the Sheffield Indoor in 1998.

88

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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INDOOR • HISTORY

1995: 15 ROUNDS, 23 POINT-SCORING RIDERS With a change of machinery from Beta to Montesa, Marc Colomer denied Jordi Tarres the opportunity of ever becoming an FIM Indoor World Trials Champion.

This would be a year of 15 rounds in total, with six again in Spain and five in France, two in Italy and one each in Finland and Monte Carlo.

Great Britain had three riders in the points: Dougie Lampkin (Beta), Steve Colley (Gas Gas) and Graham Jarvis (Scorpa).

RESULTS: 1: Marc Colomer (Beta/Montesa-ESP) 1,037; 2: Jordi Tarres (Gas Gas-ESP) 826; 3: Tommi Ahvala (Fantic-FIN) 656.

1996: 10 ROUNDS, 15 POINT-SCORING RIDERS Reduced to a more comfortable ten rounds, Spain and France would lead the way with four rounds each, with the others in Andorra and Monte Carlo. Marc Colomer and the new Montesa became the heroes of Spain as he secured both the FIM Indoor and Outdoor world titles. A new generation of riders were starting to shine; take note of a certain Dougie Lampkin (Beta) with the final podium position.

Dougie Lampkin was the new kid on the block, building in confidence from his 1997 win. He would take some beating over the next few years.

RESULTS: 1: Marc Colomer (Montesa-ESP) 160; 2: Tommi Ahvala (Fantic-FIN) 140; 3: Dougie Lampkin (Beta-GBR) 111.

1997: 10 ROUNDS, 16 POINT-SCORING RIDERS Occasionally, in any sports discipline, a steamroller of talent comes along, and a winning streak begins. That man would be Dougie Lampkin on the Beta.

In 1997, he started on a winning course that would be rewarded with seven FIM World Trials Championships 1997–2003 and five FIM Indoor World Championships; he was the new kid on the block, and no one had an answer. This was the first year of Great Britain having a world round at Sheffield; yes, the winner was that man, Lampkin.

RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Beta-GBR) 165; 2: Marc Colomer (Montesa-ESP) 159; 3: Amos Bilbao (Gas Gas-ESP) 118.

1998: 7 ROUNDS, 15 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

With a move to Montesa in 2000, Dougie Lampkin just kept on winning.

RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Beta-GBR) 126; 2: Marc Colomer (Montesa-ESP) 109; 3: Steve Colley (Gas Gas-GBR) 102.

1999: 8 ROUNDS, 14 POINT-SCORING RIDERS RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Beta-GBR) 142; 2: Marc Colomer (Montesa-ESP) 134; 3: Steve Colley (Gas GasGBR) 107.

2000: 10 ROUNDS, 15 POINT-SCORING RIDERS In truth, the spectacle of the new trials superstar Dougie Lampkin was richly rewarded in the indoor trials, as the crowds wanted to see him in action. The event had also moved up a gear, and everyone wanted to be a part of it.

Lampkin’s reward was a move to the Montesa team, and to add insult to injury, he beat his fellow team rider, Marc Colomer, to the title in a very hotly contested championship.

It is also worth noting the three consecutive third-place championship finishes from Steve Colley on the Gas Gas from 1998–2000.

RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Montesa-GBR) 185; 2: Marc Colomer (Montesa-ESP) 171; 3: Steve Colley (Gas Gas-GBR) 142.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Great Britain’s Steve Colley (Gas Gas), seen here on the left, was a championship podium finisher from 1998 through to the year 2000.

91

HISTORY • INDOOR

2001 was the last FIM Indoor title for Dougie Lampkin (Montesa-GBR).

2001: 11 ROUNDS, 14 POINT-SCORING RIDERS In his last year as the FIM World Champion, Great Britain’s Dougie Lampkin (Montesa) demolished the opposition by winning ten rounds and finishing second in the other.

Sherco first appeared on the podium as a motorcycle manufacturer when Spain’s Marc Frexia finished second in the championship.

RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Montesa-GBR) 217; 2: Marx Frexia (Sherco-ESP) 156; 3: Marc Colomer (Gas Gas-ESP) 153.

Seen here in 2003 at the Sheffield Indoor, in 2002 Spain’s Albert Cabestany knocked Lampkin off the top spot and for the first time in five years we had a new FIM Indoor World Champion.

92

2002: 10 ROUNDS, 16 POINT-SCORING RIDERS The Italian motorcycle manufacturer Beta had not won since Lampkin’s move to Montesa, but in 2002, Spain’s Albert Cabestany arrived. He knocked Lampkin off the top spot, and we had a new world champion for the first time in five years. Take note of the rider who finished third in the championship — a certain Adam Raga.

RESULTS: 1: Albert Cabestany (Beta-ESP) 167; 2: Dougie Lampkin (Montesa-GBR) 152; 3: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 146.

Armed with the new Gas Gas ‘Pro’ model, Adam Raga was on a mission to make his statement on the world scene. He was young, fresh and exciting, a Spanish rider on a Spanish motorcycle. The indoor crowds loved it and he delivered in 2003.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

INDOOR • HISTORY

After winning on his four-stroke Cota 4RT debut at the Sheffield Indoor in Great Britain, Toni Bou would take the 2007 FIM Indoor World Championship.

As Adam Raga continued winning world titles, a new name stood at the top of the podium for the first time in 2006: Toni Bou (Beta-ESP).

2003: 11 ROUNDS, 13 POINT-SCORING RIDERS Armed with the new Gas Gas ‘Pro’ model, Adam Raga was on a mission to make his statement on the world scene. He was young, fresh and exciting, a Spanish rider on a Spanish motorcycle, and the indoor crowds loved it. After six consecutive wins from Dougie Lampkin at the Sheffield-based round in Great Britain, Albert Cabestany (Beta-ESP) would win. This would also be the last year of Lampkin’s FIM World Championship winning ways.

RESULTS: 1: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 197; 2: Dougie Lampkin (Montesa-GBR) 179; 3: Albert Cabestany (Beta-ESP) 169.

2004: 12 ROUNDS, 12 POINT-SCORING RIDERS This would be the year of both Adam Raga (Gas Gas) winning the FIM Indoor Championship and Japan’s first and only ever FIM World Trials Champion Takahisa Fujinami (Honda) in the outdoors.

2007: 9 ROUNDS, 12 POINT-SCORING RIDERS Toni Bou had moved from the two-stroke Beta to the four-stroke Honda-powered Montesa and came out at the opening world round with a bang to take the win. It was the start of a winning combination that would be rewarded with 16 consecutive FIM X-trial Indoor World Championship titles. Over the next nine years, just three riders would share the top three championship positions, Adam Raga and Albert Cabestany making for a Spanish lock-out.

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 67; 2: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 57; 3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 54.

2008: 6 ROUNDS, 9 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 48; 2: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 35; 3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 35.

2009: 7 ROUNDS, 11 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 38; 3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 25; 3: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 25.

2010: 5 ROUNDS, 12 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 98; 3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 77; 3: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 45.

2011: 6 ROUNDS, 12 POINT-SCORING RIDERS For the first time in the FIM Indoor World Championship history, Toni Bou would take a full house of wins with maximum points. He would repeat this feat right through until 2014.

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 120; 3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 75; 3: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 75.

RESULTS: 1: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 102; 2: Takahisa Fujinami (Honda-JPN) 71; 3: Dougie Lampkin (Montesa-GBR) 68.

2005: 12 ROUNDS, 13 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 116; 2: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 81; 3: Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas-ESP) 61.

2006: 12 ROUNDS, 11 POINT-SCORING RIDERS A new name won at the opening world round in Great Britain at Sheffield, Spain’s Toni Bou on the Beta. Bou won again in Spain; maybe it is a name to watch? He finished third overall at the year-end, as Raga once again dominated the championship.

RESULTS: 1: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 105; 2: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 85; 3: Toni Bou (Beta-ESP) 73.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Over the next 16 years it would always be this close between the Spanish riders Toni Bou and Adam Raga.

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INDOOR • HISTORY

In 2016 Adam Raga and Toni Bou were still fighting. Riding the new TRRS, Adam won in Great Britain.

2012: 7 ROUNDS, 14 POINT-SCORING RIDERS Whereas before the entry had been picked based on the riders’ finishing position in the previous year’s FIM Trials World Championship, for the indoors, a fixed rider entry list of eight riders would be introduced, with the others riding as wildcards but still eligible to score points.

2014: 5 ROUNDS, 14 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

2013: 5 ROUNDS, 12 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

2016: 4 ROUNDS, 10 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 140; 2: Albert Cabestany (ShercoESP) 87; 3: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 84.

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 100; 2: Adam Raga (Gas GasESP) 58; 3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 51.

A man always amongst the top positions and a regular podium finisher, Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP).

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 100; 3: Albert Cabestany (ShercoESP) 69; 3: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 60.

2015: 6 ROUNDS, 11 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 107; 2: Adam Raga (Gas GasESP) 89; 3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 77.

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 79; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 59; 3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 54.

Jeroni Fajardo put the Spanish Vertigo machine in the history books with his third-place championship finish in 2017.

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HISTORY • INDOOR

In 2018 another new Spanish ‘Hotshot’ Jaime Busto finished third in the championship on the Gas Gas.

2017: 4 ROUNDS, 10 POINT-SCORING RIDERS Toni Bou won all four rounds just as interest dropped in the indoor championship, and both Jeroni Fajardo and Vertigo took their first FIM Indoor Championship podiums.

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 80; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 60; 3: Jeroni Fajardo (Vertigo-ESP) 37.

2018: 8 ROUNDS, 16 POINT-SCORING RIDERS The old rule book was thrown out; it was a time for change for the FIM X-Trial World Championship with its new title and rules supplied by a promoter. The event winner would be found through an elimination process determined by time and observation. Five fixed riders would be joined by four invited riders; the action was very compact and intense, but one element still remained the same: the winner, Toni Bou! For the first time in a long while, a new rider entered the top three, Jaime Busto.

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 106; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 104; 3: Jaime Busto (Gas Gas-ESP) 64.

2019: 6 ROUNDS, 15 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 115; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 89; 3: Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas-ESP) 58.

2020: 6 ROUNDS, 10 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 100; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 75; 3: Jeroni Fajardo (Sherco-ESP) 34.

2021: 2 ROUNDS, 9 POINT-SCORING RIDERS Despite the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic, two rounds were run: one in Andorra and one in Barcelona, Spain.

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 40; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 27; 3: Jaime Busto (Vertigo-ESP) 21.

2022: 5 ROUNDS, 10 POINT-SCORING RIDERS

RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 104; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 69; 3: Jaime Busto (Vertigo-ESP) 51.

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Our favourite shot of the ultimate showman, Toni Bou, taken in 2019.

STATISTICS 1993–2022

TITLES: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 16; Dougie Lampkin (Beta/Montesa) 5; Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 4; Marc Colomer (Beta/Montesa-ESP) 3; Tommi Ahvala (Aprilia-FIN) 1; Albert Cabestany (Beta-ESP) 1.

INDIVIDUAL ROUND WINS: Toni Bou (ESP) 70; Adam Raga (ESP) 38; Dougie Lampkin (GBR) 36; Marc Colomer (ESP) 32; Albert Cabestany (ESP) 18; Jordi Tarres (ESP) 13; Tommi Ahvala (FIN) 7; Bruno Camozzi (FRA) 6; Steve Colley (GBR) 4; Diego Bosis (ITA) 3; Marc Frexia (ESP) 2; Jaime Busto (ESP) 2; Angel Garcia (ESP) 1; Amos Bilbao (ESP) 1; Donato Miglio (ESP) 1; Jean Luc Nictou (FRA) 1; David Cobos (ESP) 1; Takahisa Fujinami (JPN) 1; Jeroni Fajardo (ESP) 1.

WHO CAN STOP BOU? As we approach the 30-year celebrations of the FIM Indoor/X-Trial World Championship, the burning question is, who can stop Toni Bou? He is leading the 2023 world championship but has finally been beaten by Jaime Busto (GASGAS), although just once from four starts.

As the undisputed number one in the world of motorcycle trials, Bou marches on towards his 40th birthday, still looking as sharp as ever; the target is firmly on his back, but who would like to bet against him winning both world titles again? Imagine that, a 34-times FIM World Champion.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SUMMER TIME • WEEKENDER

WHAT A HOOT! OSET WEEKENDER

OSET was back with a bang in August with its inaugural ‘Weekender’ event. Over the past couple of years, the company has been pretty quiet, so it was good to see the electric off-road motorcycle manufacturer getting back to one of the things it does best: fun events for kids.

The move clearly signals positive intentions for the future. Hosted by the purpose-built trials venue Hooton Lodge, in Rotherham in South Yorkshire, the setting proved ideal for the dozens of families camping on site and enjoying everything the location had to offer.

Words: Michelle Horne • Pictures: OSET – Jan Peters.

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SET parent Rose Batty said: “One of the reasons we invested in OSET was the opportunity to meet other riders and families in an environment that is perfect for beginners and really helps bring on their riding. You soon come to realise that it’s so much more than simply buying a motorcycle and learning to ride. We’ve made great friends, and it’s a real community of people that are all coming together to have fun and ride.”

Simon Welham an OSET parent based in Leeds, agreed: “This was the first OSET event our son had been involved in and we loved it. We’ll definitely be back and can’t wait for the next one.”

Simon Armstrong, events and promotions manager at OSET Bikes, added: “It’s great to hear feedback like that. We worked very hard to create an event that would see the kids having a load of fun on their motorcycles without even realising how their skills were improving.”

With trials training, the first ever KlickStart — a welcome homage to the famous 1980s show — and a trial to boot, batteries were most certainly empty — metaphorically and literally — by the end of the weekend.

OSET welcomed their own Oliver Smith, alongside ex-OSET rider and FIM Women’s Trial2 Championship competitor Sophie Bailey, to the roster of trainers to complete a full morning of trials practice.

Split by ability and size, training focused 98

on improving techniques to tackle obstacles previously outside the riders’ comfort zones.

For a beginner, this was as simple as being able to have the confidence to stand on the foot-pegs and ride up and downhill, through to more experienced riders looking at body positions and identifying lines through sections. Following a break for lunch, it was the part of the weekend kids and parents had been looking forward to the most — Klickstart.

KLICKSTART A bespoke course designed and built by OSET saw kids complete a slalom, turning circle, seesaw, balance beam and footy challenge before being pelted by water guns held by their friends and completing the course by hurling wet sponges at their ‘poor’ parents!

As a timed event, seconds were added on for incomplete obstacles. Upon completing the course, the fastest little ones clambered up to the ‘hot seat’

Charlie Constantine.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

WEEKENDER • SUMMER TIME

After Party — Rocco McVitie.

Arthur Wood with Elliot Smith.

to maintain their position as long as possible.

Carl Batty said: “It was a real laugh. The kids absolutely howled with joy and raced to grab the water guns so they could squirt their friends.

They soon realised it was as much about being accurate as being quick, so there was no point in going too fast through the different elements and messing up the obstacles.”

The Klickstart proved such a hit OSET wheeled out a second incarnation at the ACU British round at Rock ‘n Hop less than two weeks later.

It’s got Bigger and Better written all over it. And for those that are old enough to remember the original, it’s just as popular, just as fun and has the ingredients to be just as intense. It will be interesting to see where it leads.

As the weather held, kids from ages 2–12 played in the big open field, with the big hit proving to be another classic: a massive game of rounders once the motorcycles were all on charge, ready for day two.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Got Cha - The kids get Simon Armstrong.

Follow the line.

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SUMMER TIME • WEEKENDER

Theo Jepson.

Noah Dabill in the hot-seat.

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Sophie Bailey shows Ruby Brand the line.

HOOTON LODGE Taking in the weekend, Hooton Lodge was a perfect venue, and it will be hard to beat. As an established campsite, it comes with all the facilities you need to camp, including a working bar; there were even huge inflatable bouncy castles, fairground rides, a generator to recharge batteries and all the space you could wish for, where pedal power was the next best thing on two wheels.

For families new to the sport of motorcycle trials, this event was a gentle introduction with fun at its heart. It was the sort of weekend where friendships are formed and memories made for mums, dads and kids alike.

Rocco Watson on see-saw.

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TRADITIONAL Day two was a traditional trial. Ten sections split equally between the man-made trials park and the natural wood. Each section was ridden three times. Electronic scoring added to the ease of the day, making observing a much more straightforward task, and meant results were available quickly.

Families attending had travelled from across the UK, including Cornwall, Scotland and Wales, but the prize for the most epic journey must surely go to the family from Cambodia who were holidaying in the UK and, having travelled with their OSET, decided the ‘Weekender’ was a mustdo on the itinerary.

As Hooton Lodge becomes a must-visit destination for any self-respecting trials rider, the OSET Weekender has all the possibility of becoming a staple in the trialling calendar for the youngest of electric off-road riders.

Charlie Schofield, the owner of the Hooton Lodge site, said: “I absolutely love off-road motorcycles, and we were delighted to welcome the OSET team and all the families on-site. We are constantly improving our facilities and look forward to working together again next year as the event goes from strength to strength.”

It’s an exciting time for OSET Bikes. They are clearly very busy behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store.

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Oliver Smith teaching the next generation.

Rider of the day — Bowie Sinkinson.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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SCHOOLBOY • TRIALS

Keith Dopson.

A NEW CLASS SCHOOLBOY TRIALS

Growing up around motorcycles with my father, Ron, and older brother, Alan, was the norm as a schoolboy.

In the late ’60s, we shared a converted 125cc BSA Bantam. My father had a 250cc Bultaco, and we would attend trials to either watch or observe. If we were fortunate enough, we could take the BSA along to ride around if there was an area at the trials venue. My brother and I would move to share a 125cc Dalesman we had obtained, both patiently waiting until 14 years of age when we would be allowed to apply for an ACU competition license. I competed in my first trial in September 1974, finishing one mark off the awards, riding my father’s 250cc Bultaco; the Dalesman had been sold. The trial was a Pennine Eagles one at Holestone Farm above Matlock, in Derbyshire, run by Cath and Ernie Roper. The club specialised in trials for under-18 and over-35 riders; I finished one mark off an award. One month later, I took an award, a first-class in the Under 18s class, finishing fifth overall. At our local Manchester 17 Motorcycle Club, we were told that a new class would soon be introduced at trials events: a Schoolboy Class.

Words: Yoomee • Pictures: Surrey Schoolboy Trials Club, Barry Robinson, Joyce Hulme, Eric Kitchen 102

1970: Who had a BSA Bantam? I did! I am on the far left, with my brother Alan in the middle.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TRIALS • SCHOOBOY

Barry Roads can still be found riding in trials, seen here with Clive Roads and Nick Heane.

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My good self, John Hulme, on my Ossa in 1976 in a Manchester 17 MCC Youth Trial.

y early trials years were all in adult trials with some very high-scoring finishes. I had now acquired my father’s 250cc Bultaco, which I grew into with every ride. In November 1975, the Manchester 17 MCC ran a trial for Novices and Schoolboys; this was my first introduction to a Schoolboy class. It was held at Wicken Walls Farm, nr Buxton in Derbyshire; here you would find Hawk’s Nest, sections still in use today.

Thirty schoolboys took part out of an entry of 58. Adults and boys between the ages of 14 and 16 did five laps of 12 sections, whilst boys in the other two classes, 12–14 and under 12, omitted two sections; below are the results.

ADULT: Alan Hulme (250 Bultaco) 11.

FIRST CLASS AWARDS: Gerry Hawkins (250 Montesa) 20; Peter Steckles (250 Ossa) 35; Gary Booth (250 Ossa) 37; Charlie Holmes (125 Honda) 37.

YOUTH 14–16: Andy Shutt (250 Bultaco) 10.

FIRST CLASS AWARDS: John Hulme (250 Bultaco) 13; Chris Davies (250 Bultaco) 14; Andy Ainsworth (250 Bultaco) 27.

YOUTH 12–14: Mark Holland (Yamaha 80) 21.

FIRST CLASS AWARDS: Scott Rowland (123 Montesa) 21; Howard Jackman (123 Montesa) 25.

YOUTH UNDER 12: Andy Walker Yamaha 80) 105.

Surrey Schoolboy Trials Club members (from left) Chris Sutton (Bultaco), Clive Dopson (Montesa) and Stephen Dunkley (Ossa).

SCHOOLBOY TRIALS With information from Clive Dopson and Eddie Renham, it appears that the Surrey Schoolboy Trials Club was the first of its kind to be formed

by Keith Dopson, Chris Sutton’s father Rag and Colin Boniface’s father Bill. Each was an enthusiastic trials rider, organiser and a father of a son struggling to find anywhere to compete.

The club held its inaugural trial on 19th March 1972 at Linchmere Common, between Liphook and Haslemere, and there were 27 riders in two classes: Seniors 14 to 16 years and Juniors 12 to 14 years. It appears all rode the same route of five laps of eight sections. The first two places overall were taken by Chris Sutton (250 Bultaco) on six, with Colin Boniface (250 Bultaco) on 23 in the Juniors, followed by Clive Dobson (250 Bultaco) on 39 as the best Senior rider.

The club agreed to organise one event a month, which it managed in 1972 apart from August, so it was nine events in the first year. The club went from strength to strength, encouraging riders and fathers from other areas to visit and start their own clubs.

In 1974, the ACU formed a Youth Division to manage the youth sport, mainly covering scrambling and trials with some grass track racing.

When the first chairman of the Youth Division, Bryan Hunt, retired, Keith Dopson became the chairman, showing the influence of the Surrey Schoolboy Trials Club.

Legendary trials reporter Ralph Venables was a great supporter of youth sport. His book, Schoolboy Scrambling and Other Motorcycle Sports, was published in 1975. In the book, there are many interesting photographs of competitors of the time, plus a list of 36 clubs that catered for youth sport.

However, only one club, other than the Surrey Schoolboy Trials Club, was specifically for youth trials.

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TRIALS • SCHOOBOY

John Reynolds flies high on the Dalesman in the early ’70s.

On 16th September 1973 John Reynolds won the Wetherby Club trial, the very first ACU recognised National Trial for Schoolboys.

PROGRESS Other clubs soon noted the interest in the new Schoolboy Class. The first of its kind held in South Yorkshire attracted 33 entrants from 10–16 years old, run by the Sheffield and Hallamshire club on Sunday 19th August 1973.

After six laps of 15 sections which were mainly dry, 15-year-old John Reynolds (Ossa) won, with second place taken by 13-year-old Chris Sutton, who had travelled to the Holmesfield venue near Sheffield from Woking in Surrey.

The progress of the Schoolboy Class took a huge step forward just one month later, on 16th September 1973, when the Wetherby Club, with sponsorship from the Macrae Kipper Group, held the very first ACU-recognised National Trial for Schoolboys. The trial would consist of a threemile lap based at Patley Bridge on the Fell Beck Farm of the Shepherd brothers Rob and Norman, two well-respected trials riders. The course would include 17 sections ridden over four laps on a variety of typical Yorkshire sections. There was a great turnout of 73 riders, separated into three classes: 16–17, 14–16 and Under 14. It was a huge success, and the winner, John Reynolds, was presented with a trophy from Rob Shepherd.

Below are the results.

BEST PERFORMANCE: John Reynolds (250 Ossa) 35.

16–17: A Sharp (250 Bultaco) 50; R Saddington (250 Ossa) 72; Mowse (250 Bultaco) 94.

14–16: Mike Skinner (123 Montesa) 56; R Carr (250 Ossa) 66; J Johnson (250 Bultaco) 87.

UNDER 14: Peter Cartwright (250 Bultaco) 48; Chris Sutton (250 Bultaco) 58; S Blagden (250 Bultaco) 153.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

Based on his early success, John Reynolds would soon receive support from Harrogate Ossa dealer Gordon Johnson.

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SCHOOLBOY • TRIALS

Dave Renham and his father Eddie have been a major part of the schoolboy scene since the early days in the ’70s.

ACU YOUTH TRIALS John Reynolds won the next ACU Schoolboy National Trial again in 1974, and over the following years, the ACU Youth championship would continue to grow as two mainstay classes emerged: A and B, followed by C and D. In 1975, Chris Sutton (Suzuki) won the A Class, with Howard Jackman (Yamaha) the best in the B Class. They repeated the class wins in 1976 before the C and D classes were added in 1977.

As more youth clubs emerged, it encouraged a new generation of riders, many of whom went on to succeed at the very top of the sport. Championship rounds could be found at the length and breadth of the country; the sport was buoyant beyond belief.

1977 ACU YOUTH BRITISH TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP In 1977, I was 16 years old and won my only A Class National Trial at Mow Cop, near Congleton, Cheshire, on my 250 Ossa. The ACU British Youth Trials Championship consisted of a six-round series, with the four best scores to count. The six rounds were the South Shropshire, Surrey Schoolboys Trials Club, Bristol Motor Cycle Club, Waterside Junior, Rochdale and District, and Wetherby and District. I made some lifelong friends in these events, which supported the camaraderie of motorcycle trials that still stand to the current day. Would you believe one of our Trial Magazine test riders, Nick Shield, tied with me in ninth place in the championship!

Rochdale’s Howard Jackman won several ACU Youth titles, seen here in 1978.

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Colin Boniface had a successful schoolboy career before moving into the adults.

A CLASS: 1: Howard Jackman 55; 2: Chris Davies 43; 3: Ray Haslam 42; 4: Steve Moore 38; 5: Len Hutty 31; 6: Nigel Crowther 25; 7: Rob Doney 24; 8: Ian Weatherhill 20; 9: John Hulme 19; 10: Nick Shield 19; 11: Paul Prout 14; 12: Glen Scholey 11; 13: Nigel Finnigan 10; 14: Tim Clark 8; 15: Tony Cowley 7; 16: Steve Brownlee 6; 17: G Seddon 6; 18: David Smith 4; 19: M Wardle 4; 20: Joe Buckworth 3; 21: N Andrews 2; 22: Michael Hinton 1.

B CLASS: 1: Steve Saunders 60; 2: Mark Holland 54; 3: Gary Demaine 44; 4: Andrew Arden 36; 5: Keith Law 24; 6: Paul Doney 17; 7: Mick Edwards 12; 8: John Hinton 12; 9: Phil Smith 12; 10: Graham Tales 11; 11: Russ Kerridge 10; 12: Mark Lambert 10; 13: John Lampkin 8; 14: Barry Woodward 8; 15: Shane Edwards 7; 16: Nicky England 6; 17: Andrew Hutsby 6; 18: Carl Blakeley 3; 19: Michael Crowder 3; 20: Gerald Richardson 1.

C CLASS: Tony Scarlett • D CLASS: Bruce Hamer

Steve Saunders won all his ACU Youth British Championship titles, seen here on the Bultaco in the A class in 1981.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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Tel: 01592 772867 Email: trials2t-offroad@Hotmail.com Area: Kirkcaldy, KY1 4DE

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Tel: 01209 820896 Email: rcm-trialsport@hotmail.com Area: Redruth, TR16 5PN

02 AB Motorcycles Tel: 01685 382100 Email: barrie-ab@hotmail.com Web: www.abmotorcycles.co.uk Area: Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 2SR

03 Acklams Motorcycles Tel: 07957 148588 / 07540 591410 Email: sales@acklamsbeta.co.uk Web: www.acklamsmotorcycles.com Area: Harrogate, HG3 2BG

04 AG Bikes Tel: 01748 886356 Email: gebrownson@f2s.com Area: Reeth, DL11 6NH

05 Andy Metcalfe Motorcycles Tel: 01287 638030 Email: andymetcalfemotorcycles@gmail.com Web: www.andymetcalfemotorcycles.com Area: Guisborough, TS14 7DH

06 Birkett Motosport Tel: 01229 716806 Email: nigel.birkett@talk21.com Web: www.birkettmotosportukltd.com Area: Broughton in Furness, LA20 6EZ

07 BVM Moto UK Tel: 01453 297 177 Email: sales@bvm-moto.co.uk Web: www.bvm-moto.co.uk Area: Stroud, GL5 5EX

08 Camio Moto Tel: 01246 792033 Email: sales@camiomoto.co.uk Web: www.camiomoto.co.uk Area: Dronfield, S18 7SD

09 Craigs Motorcycles Tel: 01924 488117 Email: aaron@craigsmotorcycles.com Web: www.craigsmotorcycles.com Area: Dewsbury, WF13 1HX

11 East Neuk Trials Motorcycles Tel: 01333 311744 Email: duncan.wood@btconnect.com Area: Fife, KY10 2RB

12 Inch Perfect Trials Tel: 01200 448130 Email: sales@inchperfecttrials.co.uk Web: www.inchperfecttrials.co.uk Area: Whitewell, BB7 3AU

13 Inta Bikes Tel: 01622 688727 Email: intabikes@btconnect.com Web: www.intabikes.co.uk Area: Maidstone, ME15 6HE

14 John Lee & Sons Motorcycles Tel: 01933 312827 Email: johnlee.mc@btconnect.com Web: www.johnleemotorcycles.co.uk Area: Higham Ferrers, NN10 8BP

15 John Shirt Motorcycles Tel: 01298 766 813 Email: mail@johnshirtmotorcycles.com Web: www.johnshirtmotorcycles.com Area: Buxton, SK17 9JL

16 Mickey Oates Motorcycles Tel: 0141 332 7374 Email: sales@mickeyoates.com Web: www.mickeyoates.com Area: Glasgow, G4 9XP

17 OHA Motorsport Tel: 028 9131 0297 Email: office@ohamotorsport.com Web: www.ohamotorsport.com Area: Bangor, BT19 7PD

19 Road and Trials Tel: 01226 391557 Email: sales@roadandtrials.co.uk Web: www.roadandtrials.co.uk Area: Barnsley, S75 1JU

20 SJ Trials Tel: 028 2548 3175 Email: sam@sjtrials.com Web: www.sjtrials.com Area: Ballymena, BT42 1LJ

21 South West Trials Tel: 01395 514287 Email: southwesttrials@gmail.com Web: www.swtrials.co.uk Area: Sidmouth, EX10 9DN

22 St Blazey MX Tel: 01726 816181 Email: sales@stblazeymx.co.uk Web: www.stblazeymx.co.uk Area: St Blazey, PL24 2RN

23 Tom Adamson Motorcycles Tel: 01343 550 600 Email: info@tomadamsonmotorcycles.co.uk Web: www.tomadamsonmotorcycles.co.uk Area: Elgin, IV30 1HZ

24 Trail & Trials UK Tel: 01334 840414 Email: john@tytrials.com Web: www.tytrials.com Area: New Gilston, KY8 5TF

25 Trials UK Tel: 0113 281 8242 Email: sales@trialsuk.co.uk Web: www.trialsuk.co.uk Area: Horsforth, LS18 5NX

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