14/02/18 – Almost forty years on, Bernie Schreiber remains America’s only FIM…
Almost forty years on, Bernie Schreiber remains America’s only FIM Trial World Champion, despite many of his compatriots having attempted to emulate his feat over the last four decades since Bernie collected his FIM gold medal back in 1979. A recent and welcomed visitor to Sport7 UK offices, Schreiber also remains one of the true icons of the Sport having been the pioneer of a new and modern style of riding back in the late seventies, and will always be remembered for his poised and perfect pivot turns.
Schreiber’s initial outing on the World stage was hardly memorable with the then eighteen-year-old American placing just inside the top forty on his debut at the British round of the series in 1977. Proving he was a fast learner, Bernie incredibly finished in fifth place just a week later in Belgium before going on to rank seventh overall come the close of his maiden season.
Twelve months on and Bernie had now ridden himself into the World’s top three before famously grabbing the title at the back end of 1979. Unfortunately, Schreiber was unable to repeat this achievement, but was runner up in the series on three occasions before he stepped down from the FIM Trial World Championship in 1987.
Since retiring from Trial, Bernie has enjoyed a highly successful professional career in both the cycling and watch industries, and was instrumental in the current Tissot / MotoGP timing partnership.
Still a keen Trial fan, Schreiber has attended previous editions of TrialGP USA in more recent years and Sport7 has extended an open invitation for him to be part of the TrialGP family in the future as one true ambassador of our sport.
