Toni Bou Clinches 38th World Title with Double Win in Great Britain

Toni Bou reaffirmed his place at the top of the sport by sealing his 19th consecutive TrialGP crown – and his 38th world championship across indoor and outdoor disciplines – with a double victory at the TrialGP of Great Britain in Geddington.

The event marked the series’ first visit to Britain in seven years, with steep wooded valleys and manmade sections of boulders and concrete pipes creating a spectacular setting for the title decider.

Bou arrived needing only three points to secure the championship and wasted no time, producing a flawless opening lap on Saturday before finishing the day with just three marks lost. That performance gave him a decisive victory, 14 clear of his teammate Gabriel Marcelli, with Jaime Busto completing the podium.

“It’s amazing to win the championship by winning the races,” Bou said. “I had a big fight with my team-mate to the end of the second race and I’m super-happy. I want to thank the team, Honda and HRC, because without them all this would be impossible. Despite the rule changes, we’ve been able to adapt and improve every weekend, so the overall assessment is very positive.”

Sunday brought a closer contest, with Marcelli matching Bou section-for-section. Both riders finished tied on 12 marks, but Bou claimed victory on time countback to secure his 11th win of the season and 165th career win. For Marcelli, two runner-up finishes capped a strong weekend that adds to the momentum of his breakthrough 2025 season. “The duel with Bou on Sunday was tough but motivating,” Marcelli said. “I learned a lot and I’m happy with the way I rode both days.”

The home crowd had its own moment of celebration when Harry Hemingway secured the Trial2 world title. The Beta rider kept his composure across both races, taking a race win on Saturday and second on Sunday to move beyond the reach of his rivals. “I can sleep tonight,” Hemingway joked. “It has been a fairly stressful week. I had a good points lead, but nothing is guaranteed so I’m over the moon to get the job done a day early and in front of all my family, my sponsors and my home fans. The crowd has been unbelievable today.”

In the TrialGP Women’s class, Spain’s Berta Abellan moved within touching distance of her first world crown. She tied with Denisa Pechackova on Saturday before taking a perfect second race to secure the overall win, extending her points advantage over main rival Andrea Sofia Rabino. “I’m feeling so, so good,” Abellan said. “The first race was a little bit difficult for me, but the second race was perfect and tomorrow I will be fighting like always.”

Italy’s Sara Trentini extended her advantage in Trial2 Women, finishing runner-up overall behind Britain’s Sophie Bailey, whose three-one scores delivered a career-first victory. “What a feeling to win in front of my home crowd,” Bailey said. “It’s such an honour. I lost a few silly marks, but it’s been a good day and hopefully I can pull it out of the bag tomorrow.”

In Trial3, Britain’s Harison Skelton delighted the local fans with a faultless second race victory after winning a tense four-way tie on Saturday. The result pushed him to second in the standings, though it was American rookie Ryon Land who edged closer to the title with two consistent podium rides. “It feels fantastic just to ride in front of my home crowd, never mind taking the win,” Skelton said. “It’s been a nerve-racking day, but I’m really happy.”

With the sun shining and fans packing the hillsides, Geddington proved to be a fitting stage for a historic weekend. Bou’s double victory not only delivered another world crown but also showcased the sport’s growing depth, with Marcelli, Hemingway, Abellan, and Skelton all making their mark alongside the sport’s undisputed master.