Whilst France has always been a regular stop off on the FIM X-Trial World Championship, not since March 2004 has the city of Nice hosted a round series, which was then known as the FIM Indoor Trial World Championship. Tomorrow evening the tour will be back at the seaside location to close out the latest edition of the championship.
Back in 2004 six riders competed for top honours, with current vice World Champion contender Albert Cabestany – Sherco eventually taking the win from his arch rival Adam Raga – Gas Gas. Dougie Lampkin, then Montesa mounted completed the podium on that occasion.
Further down the order, nine years ago – Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa failed to make it through to the three rider final and placed fourth, whilst Marc Freixa – Montesa and Graham Jarvis – Sherco finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Much has changed since then, with Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa now being the undisputed King of Trial and looking to add Nice to his long list of GP winning venues. However like in 2004, French section maestro Bernard Estripeau will once again be in charge of creating a suitably testing course to challenge the current eight permanent riders who will be in action in the Palais Nikaia arena tomorrow evening.