X-Trial kicks off at Sheffield ’13

Missing from the WC calendar for the past two seasons, Sheffield makes a welcome return to the tour and is bound to offer a suitable first test for the eight permanent riders plus two wild card entries. 

 

An almost capacity crowd is guaranteed to create a noisy backdrop, as reigning FIM X-Trial World Champion Toni Bou begins his defence and goes in search of a record seventh-successive indoor title. 

 

Once again it would appear that Bou's main rivals this season will be his Spanish compatriots, as Albert Cabestany heads up the chasing pack having finished as runner-up to Bou in the 2012 campaign, a position he has held since 2009. 

 

Adam Raga  last got the better of Cabes indoors back in 2008, with inconsistency having plagued his championship assault ever since. 

 

Jeroni Fajardo could be the man to emerge as Bou's nearest challenger, after having made good progress during the latter part of 2012. 

 

Veteran campaigner Takahisa Fujinami will turn 33 not long after he visits Great Britain, but is still a force to be reckoned with, having made it on to the podium in three of the seven rounds last season. 

 

Britain's Jack Challoner – who will turn 22 on the day – will be looking to make the most of his opening home advantage, as he returns to the series a permanent rider, after having failed to gain qualification  in 2012.  

 

Matteo Grattarola  has the hopes of a  nation on his relatively young shoulders, with him being the lone Italian representative in this year's series. 

 

Although Matteo has made wild card appearances in the past, this is his first real opportunity to make his impact against the more established stars. 

 

Mixing experience with youth, Challoner and Grattarola were both selected as being the best riders under 25 years old, whilst the final fixed placed went to a rider who has already lifted one title. 

 

Winner of the 2012 FIM Junior Trial World Cup, Alexandre Ferrer from France – who again is a sole contender for his country – has  already displayed his pedigree by being the only wild card rider to make it through the qualification process last season. 

 

His eventual sixth place in Paris  did not do his performance real justice, but certainly gave his rivals something to think as he lines up against them as a permanent protagonist this time around.  

 

Which brings us to the Wild cards and home riders James Dabill and Michael Brown, who will complete the Sheffield line up and really give the mighty crowd something to cheer in what promises to be an enthralling opening encounter, as the 2013 International season gets under way.

 

Don't miss next week's TMX for all the gen and super pics from Sheffield 2013.