Following a delayed start to the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship will finally fire into action on September 4-6 with TrialGP France at the Alpine ski resort of Isola 2000.
After 10 years of close collaboration with the FIM, Hertz Switzerland is the new title sponsor of the series that will see the best Trial riders on the planet fight it out over four rounds with each event featuring two days of points-paying competition.
From France the best Trial riders on the planet will head to Pobladura de las Regueras in Spain and then Sant Julia in Andorra over successive weekends before signing off with TrialGP Italy at Lazzate on October 9-11.
“The publication of the provisional entry list is encouraging news after many uncertainties,” said Thierry Michaud, Director of the FIM Trial Commission. “Above all, thanks to the considerable efforts by the administration of the FIM and all the stakeholders we can finally fulfil our hopes of seeing this season begin.
“We are all looking forward to the start of TrialGP in France, then in Spain and Andorra before finishing in Italy and concluding an unexpected season!
“We want to see the realisation of the work of our volunteers, the organisers who had to prepare in a few weeks and respect specific protocols. Likewise, we would like to encourage the manufacturers, the riders, the assistants, the families and the officials who must prepare for the competition in unprecedented conditions.
“A special mention to the national federations which have greatly contributed to setting up protocols and other conditions making it possible to maintain the 2020 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship.”
There is a packed programme in store at Isola 2000 where, alongside the premier TrialGP riders, a full-house of TrialGP Women, Trial2, Trial2 Women, Trial125 and Trial-E classes will also be in action with the combined field numbering an impressive 84 competitors.
Spain’s record-breaking TrialGP champion Toni Bou (Repsol Honda) heads the entry as he kicks off his campaign to win an unprecedented 14th consecutive title. His main challenge is expected to come from his compatriots Adam Raga (TRRS), Jaime Busto (Vertigo) and Jorge Casales (Gas Gas) and veteran Japanese fan-favourite Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda).
Emma Bristow (Sherco) heads into the 2020 season looking for her seventh consecutive TrialGP Women crown. Unbeaten since the final round of the 2017 championship, the brilliant British rider will have to be on top form to fight off the expected strong challenges from rivals including Spain’s Berta Abellan (Vertigo) and Sandra Gomez (TRRS).
With 2019 champion Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) moving up to TrialGP, the Trial2 class has been thrown wide-open although veteran Italian Matteo Grattarola (Beta) will fancy his chances of repeating his 2018 title after losing out to the young Spaniard at last year’s final round.
Trial2 Women is also a tough one to call. With last year’s leading two riders electing not to compete the way is paved for a new champion – possibly British rider Alicia Robinson (Beta), who won last year’s final round, or Sophia ter Jung (TRRS) from Germany.
A breeding ground for future champions, Trial125 is a hot-bed of up-and-coming talent. With nothing to gauge form on so far this season – and last year’s leading riders moving up to Trial2 – you should expect the unexpected, although Spain’s Alex Canales (TRRS) will be hoping to improve on his three podiums in 2019 and World ranking of No.4.
Entering its fourth season, the FIM TrialE Cup for electric motorcycles was dominated last year by former X-Trial World Champion Albert Cabestany (Gas Gas) and the Spanish veteran is back to defend his title and will be tough to beat.
For regular updates and live results go to the new-look www.trialgp.com website that goes live today or check out our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – just search for TrialGP.
Pre-entry List HERE
