The competing riders for the opening round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship have been confirmed.
The riders aiming to de-throne 12-times X-Trial World Champion Toni Bou (Repsol Honda Team) at the Budapest Arena ‰ÛÒ on the 20th of January the first date of the 2019 calendar ‰ÛÒ are now known.
Bou, who makes his debut at X-Trial Budapest, will take on the 2018 winner and reigning world number two Adam Raga (TRS) as well as the two riders who made the podium alongside him last season: Jaime Busto (Gas Gas) and Benoit Bincaz (Beta). Putting into the mix Miquel Gelabert (Sherco) as well, there are plenty of youth hopefuls hoping to overthrow the discipline‰Ûªs veteran contingent this season.
For the opening Round in Budapest, experienced competitors Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas), Britain‰Ûªs James Dabill (Beta) and spectacular Japanese star Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Montesa-HRC) will join Vertigo‰Ûªs Jorge Casales to complete the field.
All nine riders can look forward a close fight for the first honours of the season, in front of the sizeable Hungarian crowd that will have the privilege of taking in the first action of the campaign, at an event that made an impressive mark last year.
Full 2019 X-Trial Calendar/Shedule
Round 1: 20th January - X-Trial Budapest - Hungary - Budapest Ar̩na
Round 2: 3rd February - X-Trial Barcelona - Spain - Palau Sant Jordi
Round 3: 16th February - X-Trial Bilbao - Spain - Bizkaia Arena
Round 4: 23rd February - X-Trial Granada - Spain - Palacio Municipal de Deportes
Round 5: 9th March - X-Trial Marseille - France - Palais des Sports
Round 6: 6th April - X-Trial Costa Rica - Costa Rica - Anfiteatro Coca-Cola
Round 7: 13th April - X-Trial FIM des Nations - France - Vend̩space
Round 8: 27th April - X-Trial Andorra la Vella - Andorra - Poliesportiu d'Andorra
