Trials: Repsol Honda trials team set for 2022 season opener

The FIM X-Trial World Championship is scheduled to kick off next week in France where Toni Bou will begin his championship title defence.

The 2022 FIM X-Trial World Championship season commences with a revamped Repsol Honda Trial Team whose riders will be aiming to seize the honours across the board. Pre-season work proved very intense, yet highly fruitful, with both the team and bike determined to push to the limit in the various competitions ahead.

Super-champion Toni Bou remains the spearhead of the Repsol Honda Team. After claiming an incredible 30th world title last October, the insatiable rider will be looking to further his extensive list of victories (125 outdoor and 69 indoor) by adding a couple more gold medals to his tally.

Joining Bou in the Repsol Honda Team pits this year will be the promising young talent Gabriel Marcelli. At just 22 years old, the 2019 Trial2 World Champion was the revelation in the top category in the 2020 season, finishing last year in great form with third place in the Spanish championship and fourth in the X-Trial World Championship, which he wrapped up with the runner-up spot at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi.

Further news: after a lengthy, successful career as a rider – having hung up his boots at the end of the 2021 World Championship – Takahisa Fujinami takes over as the new team head. His vast experience will undoubtedly make him a valuable asset for the team management.

“We are getting a new season underway and, as always, we will be going all out.” said Toni. “I think we have had a good pre-season and have worked hard, both on the bike and in training.”

“I think we’re physically very well prepared for the first trial and we’re looking forward to it. The X-Trial regulations have gone back to what they were a couple of years ago and I think it will be better for everyone, because before a lot of luck factored into it.”

“This year I will have Gabriel as my team-mate in the Repsol Honda Trial Team. He is a great rider, very hard-working and with a promising future. We hope to have a really good season.”