Motorcycle trials

Characteristics

The event is divided into sections, each an obstacle course of natural or constructed elements. The designated route is designed to test rider skill, and local events often split sections into separate courses for different skill-level classes. A competitor rides through each section while avoiding touching the ground with their feet or any other body part. An observer counts each touch, called a "dab" or "prod," and assigns penalty points. A score of 0, known as "cleaning the section," is earned if no foot touches the ground. One touch gives a score of 1, two touches give a score of 2, and three or more touches result in a score of 3, provided the rider completes the section without stalling, dismounting, going out of bounds, or moving backward. If the competitor fails to complete the section, the score is 5, sometimes called "a fiasco." The rider with the fewest total points at the end of the event wins. Some events also impose time penalties for late riders. There are world indoor and outdoor championships, as well as indoor and outdoor national team "world cups" known as the Trial des Nations. Notable past champions include Dougie Lampkin (seven outdoor titles in the 1990s and 2000s), Jordi Tarrés (seven outdoor titles in the 1980s and 1990s), Sammy Miller (1960s), Yrjö Vesterinen (1970s), and Eddy Lejeune (1980s). Antoni Bou has been the sole outdoor and indoor FIM Trial World Championship champion from 2007 to 2024, accumulating 36 world titles.