【First Loss of the Season】Trial World Championship Final Round: Toni Bou Loses, but Spanish Riders Dominate Titles in Remaining 3 Classes

The final round of the 2026 FIM Trial World Championship was held in Spain, where Toni Bou (Montesa) suffered his first overall defeat of the season in the top-tier TrialGP class. However, Spanish riders secured titles in the TrialGP Women, Trial2, and Trial2 Women classes.

Marcelli Defeats Bou for First Win of the Season; Champions Decided in All Classes

The final round of the 2026 FIM Trial World Championship took place in Spain. In the premier TrialGP class, Toni Bou (Montesa), who had already secured the title, suffered his first overall defeat of the season. The undisputed champion, who achieved a double win at the British round in July 2026 and secured his 40th world title at the Dutch round in September, faced a challenge from his teammate Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) in the final round.

In Race 1, the third section, featuring a series of large rock steps, proved extremely difficult, with all riders incurring maximum penalties. While Marcelli took 1 penalty point in the seventh section and Bou achieved a clean sheet, Bou recorded 2 penalty points in the following section. Marcelli, who cleared the section without putting a foot down, finished with 14 penalty points, securing victory by a margin of 3 points. In Race 2, Bou, who won the superpole, achieved six consecutive clean sections in the superfinal to win the race in a tie-break. However, Marcelli took the overall victory for the day. As a result, Marcelli secured second place in the series rankings. Harry Hemingway (Beta), in his debut year in the premier class, finished third, followed by Jaime Busto (Beta) in fourth.

In the TrialGP Women class, Berta Abellan (Scorpa) narrowly defeated Andrea Sofia Rabino (Beta). Although Abellan's lead was reduced after incurring maximum penalties in section 7 of the first race, Rabino recorded maximum penalties in section 4 of the second race, effectively deciding the championship battle. Abellan successfully defended her title.

In the Trial2 class, Arnau Fare (Sherco) faced a tough challenge. Despite starting with a 17-point lead, he finished tenth with 17 penalty points in the first race, allowing his rival George Hemingway (Beta) to close the points gap. Fare finished tenth again in the second race, but Hemingway also accumulated penalties towards the end, finishing fourth. Consequently, Fare held on to win the championship by a 5-point margin. In the Trial2 Women class, Abril Montserrat Junqué (Beta) secured the title with a steady performance.

Winners Overcome Pressure

Marcelli, who achieved his first win of the season and secured second place in the series along with his second overall career victory, expressed his delight: "I am very satisfied with the season. It was a rollercoaster with ups and downs, but today the pressure was immense, and it's the best way to end the championship."

Abellan, who won the TrialGP Women class for the second consecutive year, commented, "I am truly excited to have won the title again. It has been a fantastic season." Fare, who secured a narrow victory in the Trial2 class, reflected, "I struggled with a lot of pressure in the second race and made mistakes, but the points difference saved me. It was a very difficult championship, but I'm happy to have won."

Montserrat Junqué, the winner of the Trial2 Women class, also expressed her joy, saying, "It feels like a dream come true." In this class, the medal positions were incredibly close, with only an 8-point difference separating the riders. Daniela Hernando (Beta) won a tie-break against Matilde Arbon (Sherco) to secure the series silver medal.

The 2026 FIM Trial World Championship has now concluded. The FIM Trial des Nations, a team event, was held from September 26th to 27th in Artheisho, Spain.