TrialGP gets another FIM shakeup
By Team TMX on 24th Mar 26
The FIM Trial World Championship is on the brink of its biggest transformation in years, with the FIM confirming a sweeping new framework designed to modernise the sport and make it more accessible than ever before.
Developed by the FIM Trial Working Group in collaboration with manufacturers and key stakeholders, the plan lays out a clear roadmap for the evolution of TrialGP - targeting everything from section design to race format and rider progression.
At the heart of the changes is a push to bridge the gap between classes.
From 2026, half of all hazards will be shared between TrialGP and Trial2 riders, with the same approach applied to the women’s categories. The goal is simple - create a more natural progression to the elite level.
That pathway becomes mandatory from 2027, with Trial2 champions required to step up to the premier class. At the same time, a universal minimum age of 16 will be introduced across all championships.
One of the most significant shifts comes with the phased removal of assistants in sections - a long-standing feature of top-level trial.
The process begins immediately, with selected hazards in 2026 run without assistance across all classes. By 2027, only TrialGP and TrialGP Women riders will retain limited use of assistants, before a full ban is enforced from 2028.
It’s a move aimed at simplifying the sport and aligning it more closely with modern expectations - while placing greater emphasis on rider skill and decision-making.
Alongside technical changes, the FIM is also targeting the show itself.
A new-look format promises a more dynamic and spectator-friendly experience, both on-site and via FIM-MOTO.TV.
A Friday Super Test will now set the starting order, while most classes will contest two races per day. After completing their opening race of the day, TrialGP riders’ second race will be composed of Super Pole, Final and Super Final elements. Super Pole will be staged over one speed section to determine the order of the Final that will then be held over between four and six grouped sections for all competitors. The Super Final for the top five TrialGP riders will then take place over between four and six grouped sections.
Even the fundamentals are evolving.
The traditional “course” between sections will now be officially termed “Liaisons”, with updated regulations governing how riders navigate them - bringing the rulebook in line with modern legal and sporting standards.
The 2026 season will act as a transition year, giving riders and teams time to adapt before the full framework takes hold.
By simplifying the structure, refining the spectacle, and creating a clearer route to the top, the FIM is aiming to future-proof TrialGP and expand its global appeal. Trial is evolving and the next era is already underway.
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