Trials Torque: World Series Shake-Up!
By John Dickinson on 14th Dec 16
THE 2017 FIM Trial World Championship has been given a massive overhaul for 2017 with the aim being to deliver a more professional, more cohesive and more consistent series throughout the season and going forward.
A series promoter has been apppointed and that is British-based Sport7, headed by Jake Miller, the FIM's long-time trials press officer, via his g2f concern and who will now deliver the FIM Trial World Championship series incorporating TrialGP, Trial2, Trial125 World Cup, FIM Women's TWC, FIM Women's Trial2 World Cup plus the Trial des Nations and Women's Trial des Nations.
There is now a cohesive entry plan for all classes, details of which follow, with the organisation in total control of who rides in which class.
Trial2 has received special attention and is now no longer age-based but a separate World Championship in its own right, with machines limited to 250cc two-stroke or 300cc four-stroke.
Jake Miller said: "This brings the TWC trials more into line with other branches of motorcycle sport.
"If you think of MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3, this is how I see TrialGP, Trial2 and Trial125 working.
"Competitors don't have to be in a rush to move out of Trial2. The champion can stay and defend their title if they wish.
"And older riders can now contest the series if they feel unable to continue in TrialGP. As an example, in future veterans like Fujinami or Cabestany could extend their careers by stepping sideways should they wish.
"Their participation would only benefit younger riders attempting to work their way up to TrialGP.”
The Women's series also sees an event take place out of Europe for the first time as, after talks with the girls, the USA now hosts the opening round of the Women's TWC.
All scored points now count for the overall Women's Championship, there are no rounds dropped as has been the case up until now.
Basic rules for 2017 are:
FIM Trial World Championship – for machines over 250cc 2T/4T – all days counting towards overall championship, limited to 20 maximum riders by selection only.
Pre-selected riders include previous season's top 10 who will be joined by FIM / Promoter chosen riders and 2016 Trial2 winner as follows: 1 Toni Bou, 2 Adam Raga, 3 Takahisa Fujinami, 4 Albert Cabestany, 5 Jeroni Fajardo, 6 Jaime Busto, 7 JAMES DABILL, 8 Jorge Casales, 9 Matteo Grattarola, 10 Miquel Gelabert.
FIM/Promoters Choice: 11 Franz Kadlec, 12 Eddie Karlsson, 13 Alexandre Ferrer, 14 Loris Gubian.
2016 Trial2 Winner: 15 JACK PRICE.
All pre-selected riders must confirm their participation in the championship via e-mail at: office@trialgp.com by December 15.
Limited wildcard entries on an event-by-event basis to be confirmed by FIM / Promoter.
All events to be two laps, 15 sections.
FIM Trial2 World Championship – for machines up to 250cc 2T/ up to 300cc 4T – all days counting towards overall championship, limited to 35 maximum riders.
Pre-selected riders include previous season's top 15 who will be joined by FIM/ Promoter chosen riders and 2016 Trial125 winner as follows: 1 IWAN ROBERTS, 2 DAN PEACE, 3 Arnau Farre, 4 Gael Chatagno, 5 Luca Petrella, 6 Teo Colairo, 7 Pierre Sauvage, 8 Filippo Loca, 9 Benoit Bincaz, 10 DECLAN BULLOCK, 11 Marc Riba, 12 Pietro Petrangeli, 13 Gabriel Marcelli, 14 TOBY MARTYN.
FIM/Promoter choice: 15 Oriol Noguera, 16: Gianluca Tournour.
2016 Trial125 Winner: 17 JACK PEACE.
FIM/Promoters choise: 18 Max Faude.
All pre-selected riders must confirm their participation in the championship via e-mail at: office@trialgp.com by December 15.
The remaining previous season's Trial2 point scorers/ TrialGP point scorers will be given priority for the remaining entries.
Limited wildcard entries on an event by event basis to be confirmed by FIM / Promoter.
FIM Trial125cc Cup for machines up to 125cc 2T/ 4T – all days counting towards overall championship – limited to 25 maximum riders.
Pre-selected riders include previous season's top 15 who will be joined by FIM/ Promoter chosen riders as follows: 1 Eric Miquel, 2 Mikkel Brade, 3 Connor Hogan, 4 Paul Mehu, 5 Christopher Wengler, 6 Kieran Touly, 7 Gerard Trueba, 8 Lorenzo Gandola, 9 Jarmo Robrahn, 10 Julius Ilmberger, 11 Mattia Spreafico, 12 Billy Green, 13 Shota Yamazaki.
All pre-selected riders must confirm their participation in the championship via e-mail at: office@trialgp.com by December 15, 2016.
The remaining previous season's Trial125 point scorers will be given priority for the remaining entries. Limited wildcard entries on an event by event basis to be confirmed by FIM / Promoter.
FIM Women's Trial World Championship for machines over 250cc 2T/4T – all days counting towards overall championship – limited to 20 maximum riders by selection only.
Pre-selected riders include previous season's top 10 who will be joined by FIM / Promoter chosen riders: 1 EMMA BRISTOW, 2 Sandra Gomez, 3 Rebekah Cook, 4 Berta Abellan, 5 DONNA FOX, 6 Theresa Bauml, 7 Mireia Conde, 8 Sarah Bauer, 9 Sara Trentini, 10 KATY SUNTER.
FIM/Promoter choice: 11 Ingveig Hakonsen, 12 Maria Giro, 13 JESS BOWN, 14 Mette Fidje, 15 Michelle Neukirchen, 16 Huldeborg Barkved, 17 Ina Wilde, 18 Chloe Richardson, 19 Mona Pekarek, 20 Louise Alford.
All pre-selected riders must confirm their participation in the championship via e-mail at: office@trialgp.com by December 15, 2016.
Limited wildcard entries on an event by event basis to be confirmed by FIM/ Promoter.
Finally, the FIM Women's Trial2 World Cup will be for machines up to 250cc 2T/ up to 300cc 4T – all days counting towards overall championship – limited to 35 maximum riders.
The remaining previous season's TrialGP Women point scorers / participants will be given priority for entries in this class.
Limited wildcard entries on an event by event basis to be confirmed by FIM / Promoter.
All European events will follow a two day format but with just one trial taking place on Sunday.
On Saturday there will be an official practice session followed by Qualification for starting order in each class, as is the case in MotoGP, MXGP etc.
European events:
Friday – Paddock opens
Saturday – Administration / technical control / official practice and qualification (for start order only within class)
Sunday – Trial
Non-European events:
Thursday – Paddock opens
Friday – Administration/ technical control/ official practice and qualification (for start order only within class)
Saturday – Trial
Sunday – Trial
Manufacturers' Championship
The Manufacturers' Championship will now consist of each manufacturer nominating one TrialGP rider and one Trial2 rider to count towards their overall championship total.
