2025 FIM TrialGP Round 6 Results

| July 14, 2025

The 2025 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship made its highly anticipated return to the United States in Exeter, Rhode Island, July 11-13, for its sixth round, showcasing the best trials riders from around the globe.

Toni Bou at 2025 FIM TrialGP Round 6 — **Toni Bou started the competition off with double wins on Saturday.**

Story & Photo by Stephanie Vetterly

It had been eight years since the last FIM World Championship event in the USA, and the electric atmosphere created by the thousands in attendance at the TrialGP of USA proved just how much the sport had been missed on American soil. This event was not only a long-awaited return but also a historic one, marking the 50th anniversary of the Wagner Cup and the 50th anniversary of the first-ever FIM World Championship Trials event in Rhode Island.

The event also highlighted the differences between the FIM World Championship format and the NATC National MotoTrials Championship Series that many of the U.S. riders are accustomed to. Competitors had only 60 seconds to navigate each section, rather than the 90 seconds allowed in U.S. competitions, and competitors were not permitted to re-walk sections during their second loop. Additionally, riders were required to arrive at each section at specified times, creating a fast-paced, high-pressure atmosphere with little room for second-guessing.

Gabriel Marcelli at 2025 FIM TrialGP Round 6 — **Gabriel Marcelli was thrilled to win his first TrialGP in the USA, which happened on Sunday.**

Saturday saw Repsol Honda HRC’s Toni Bou, a dominant figure in the sport, make a statement with a spectacular performance. Bou finished with just 23 points, a 26-point advantage over second-place Jaime Busto of GasGas Factory Racing, who had 49 points.

Jamie Busto at 2025 FIM TrialGP Round 6 — **Jamie Busto finished second in three of the four races.**

However, it was Bou’s teammate, Gabriel Marcelli, who stole the spotlight on Sunday. Marcelli made history by securing his career-first World Championship win, finishing with just 23 points on the day to Bou’s 34.

“I’m really happy,” Marcelli said. “I’m on cloud nine. Today went very well, right from the first section. I narrowly missed out on victory in the first race, and in the second, I rode even better. I made a lot of mistakes yesterday, and I knew I could do better today.

“I’ve been in the top class for a few seasons now, taking a step forward each year, getting closer to achieving this objective,” Marcelli said. “For one reason or another, it had always eluded me. I’d come close to winning but never quite achieved it, and doing it here in the United States is very special.”

Berta Abellan at 2025 FIM TrialGP Round 6 — **Berta Abellan once again demonstrated why she is regarded as one of the top riders of her era in the TrialGP Women’s class.**

The TrialGP Women’s class saw Berta Abellan continue to prove why she is considered one of the greatest riders of her generation. Abellan delivered dominant performances on both days, scoring 33 points on Saturday and an outstanding 13 points on Sunday, maintaining her strong championship lead.

In the Trial2 class, Honda Montesa’s Miquel Gelabert found redemption after a difficult start to the weekend. Disqualified from Saturday’s competition due to a battery issue, Gelabert returned to dominate on Sunday, leading both loops and finishing with just 16 points, 10 ahead of Sherco’s Arnau Farre.

Alex Niederer 2025 FIM TrialGP Round 6 — **Alex Niederer was the top rider in the North American Select competition.**

The North American Select class saw a commanding performance from Trial Store USA’s Alex Niederer, who kept his cool amid the challenging heat and humidity, winning both days. Coran Calvert secured second place both days, while Beta USA’s Sherman Smith and Michel Fortin-Belanger each took a third-place finish.

As the weekend came to a close, it was Bou who was awarded the prestigious Wagner Cup, presented by Wiltz Wagner himself, in recognition of the rider with the fewest points across the two days of competition. This trophy, named in honor of Wiltz Wagner, marks a key moment in the history of this competition and further solidifies Bou’s legendary status in the sport.

The Wagner Cup presentation at 2025 FIM TrialGP Round 6 — **The Wagner Cup, which was presented by Wiltz Wagner, was won by Bou, the top points scorer over the weekend.**

“The weekend was very positive,” Bou said. “I hadn’t been in the best shape physically since Friday, but we were able to score some good points for the overall standings. It was a very tough day in which we struggled, especially in the second race.

Bou added, “I also want to congratulate my teammate ‘Gabri,’ because he’s been riding very well in the races and he really deserved this victory.”

“Toni is a very good teammate,” Marcelli said. “He’s always helped me a lot, and while I spoiled his World Championship celebrations a bit, he was still very happy that I was able to finally win my first race. We have a very good relationship, and we both respect each other a lot.”

Perhaps most significant of all, this event symbolized the historic reuniting of the AMA and FIM, with the United States now set to remain a fixture on the World Championship calendar for years to come. This collaboration promises to bring the excitement of international trials racing to American fans for the foreseeable future.

The 2025 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship will host its final round on September 5-7 in the United Kingdom.CN