Nations pride is on the line
By John Dickinson on 21st Mar 19
Following the confirmation of Toni Bous 13th consecutive WorldX-Trial Championship with victory in Marseille, the next X-Trial event is the X-Trial des Nations. The trial will be staged for the first time in Vende, France, on Saturday, April 13.
And the Great Britain team will go into battle with a young guns line-up led by previous teamster Jack Price (Gas Gas) and Yorkshires Pricey will have Cornish teenager Toby Martyn (Beta) riding shotgun. The duelling duo will be going all out to keep Team Britain on the podium.
Previously unbeaten Spain will defend the title they retained in Nice last season, with their partnership featuring 13-times World X-Trial Champion Toni Bou (Repsol Montesa Honda) and Jaime Busto (Gas Gas) who returns to the Two teams remain unchanged from their 2018 line-ups.
Host nation France will again go with exciting youngster Benoit Bincaz (Beta) and the solid Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco). This pair threatened a surprise after the opening two rounds of the Nations last season before being relegated to silver in the Final by Spain.
Italy again field Matteo Grattarola (Honda) and Luca Petrella (Beta), who will hope to improve on last seasons fourth place following more X-Trial experience by Petrella, who has featured in several World Championship rounds in 2019.
Finally, ambitious Norway return to the X-Trial of Nations for the first time since their debut appearance in 2012, with Hkon Pedersen (Gas Gas) now partnered by rising youth star Sondre Haga (TRRS) who has recently made his debut atX-TrialWorld Championship level.
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Toni Bou wins and is crowned X-Trial World Champion in Marseille
Toni Bou (Repsol Honda) claimed his eighth X-Trial Marseille victory and with his 61st career success secured the 2019 X-Trial World Championship.
Teams announced for the 2019 X-Trial of Nations
Riders have been confirmed for the 2019 X-Trial of Nations, to be staged in Vendée for the first time on April 13.