| September 26, 2022
This year’s Trials des Nations (TdN), held in Monza, Italy, September 23-25, was dominated by the Spaniards, with Team Spain winning both the men’s and women’s divisions in front of an estimated 30,000 fans.
Spain doubled up at the 2022 FIM Trial Des Nations, claiming victory in both the premier men’s and women’s classes at Monza in Italy.
By David Klein | Photos by Future7Media
In the Trails des Nations, each participating country sends three men and three women to fight it out in their respective classes. This year featured a new two-person TDN Challenge, featuring a male and female on each team. Additionally, there are two levels for the men, Trials 1 (premiere/TdN class) and Trials 2 (International).
Headed by Toni Bou, Team Spain, made up of Bou (Montesa/Honda), Jamie Busto (Vertigo) and Adam Raga (TRRS), readily took the top spot of in the Trials de Nations competition. The trio roared to victory over the two-day competition. Overall, the Spaniards tallied a winning low-point score of nine, followed by Italy—Matteo Grattarola (Beta), Luca Petrella (GasGas) and Lorenzo Gandola (Beta)—with 31 and Great Britain—Jack Peace (Sherco), Billy Green (Scorpa) and Toby Martyn (TRRS)—with 52. France and Norway rounded out the top five.
In Trial 2 it was the Czech Republic taking the win with a score of seven, followed by Germany with 10 and Austria with 17. From there, it was Sweden (18), Australia (22) and the USA (24) rounding out the top six. Team USA came out on top of a tie with Belgium.
Team USA had a tough first loop with 23 points dropped but only had a single mark in the second loop. This was a great and promising way for the U.S. squad, made up of Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (GasGas), Josh Roper (GasGas) and Alex Myers (Scorpa), to finish out the weekend.
In the Women’s division, it was a tight contest for the win between Spain and Great Britain, which was led by current Women’s World Champion Emma Bristow. The two powerhouses came down to a six-point tie, but Spain went 5-1, while Great Britain went 3-3, so the tiebreaker went to Spain for having the better score on the second day. Italy was well back with 24 points in third. Then came Norway (35), Germany (38), Czech Republic (52) and USA (76).
Toni Bou led Team Spain to victory
Italy won the TDN Challenge with riders Mirko Pedretti (Beta) and Alessia Bacchetta (GasGas).
Trials legend Bernard “Bernie” Schreiber was in attendance. On Saturday, Schreiber, America’s only World Champion in trials, was the master of ceremonies for the inaugural Vintage Trophy Trial. This was a one-day individual event that had a Trophy class and a support line. Dennis Sweet and David Klein represented the U.S. with Sweet finishing seventh in the Trophy class and Klein taking 10th in the Support class.
- Spain (9)
- Italy (31)
- Great Britain (52)
- France (70)
- Norway (116)
Men’s Trial des Nations
1. Spain 9 marks lost
Toni Bou (Montesa), Jaime Busto (Vertigo), Adam Raga (TRRS)
2. Italy 31
Matteo Grattarola (Beta), Luca Petrella (GasGas), Lorenzo Gandola (Beta)
3. Great Britain 52
Jack Peace (Sherco), Billy Green (Scorpa), Toby Martin (TRRS)
4. France 70
Benoit Bincaz (GasGas), Hugo Dufrese (Vertigo), Gael Chatagno (Electric Motion)
Women’s Trial des Nations
1. Spain 6 marks lost
Berta Abellan (Scorpa), Sandra Gomez (TRRS), Alba Villegas (Sherco)
2. Great Britain 6
Emma Bristow (Sherco), Alicia Robinson (Beta), Kaytlyn Adshead (TRRS)
3. Italy 24
Andrea Rabino (Beta), Martina Gallieni (TRRS), Sara Trentini (Vertigo)
4. Norway 35
Erika Melchior (GasGas), Huldenborg Barkved (GasGas), Ingveig Hakonsen (TRRS)
7. USA 76
Maddie Hoover (GasGas), Kylee Swweten (TRRS), Courtney Allison (Sherco)
8. Portugal 171
Leonor Moreira (GasGas), Rita Viera (TRRS)
9. Denmark 177
Olivia Brunsvig (GasGas), Regitze Jensen (Vertigo)
International Trophy
1. Czech Republic 7
Martin Kroustek (TRRS), Martin Matejicek (GasGas), David Fabian (Beta)
2. Germany 10
Franz Kadlec (TRRS), Joschka Kraft (TRRS), Paul Reumschussel (TRRS)
3. Austria 17
Marco Mempor (GasGas), Fabio Schollar (GasGas), Philippe Wimmer (TRRS)