Growing up, I was glued to the TV whenever trials riding aired. Dougie Lampkin was a legend in my eyes – his precision, his balance, his effortless control over terrain that seemed utterly impossible. I was lucky enough to see him in action at the Goodwood Festival of Speed once, a memory I’ve cherished ever since. But this weekend in Tallinn, I finally stepped into the world of trials – not just as a fan, but as a photographer at my first live event. And what a debut it was.

The 2025 FIM X-Trial World Championship came to a thrilling close in Tallinn, Estonia, and a 13th country was added to the remarkable list of Toni Bou’s conquests. The Repsol Honda rider delivered yet another masterclass – his sixth win of the season and a dominant one at that. From Q1 to Superpole and through the Grand Final, Bou was untouchable, his riding a lesson in fluid control and mental composure.

Trials is a different breed of motorsport altogether. There are no KTMs or Kawasakis in sight. The paddock is a filled with specialist brands – Scorpa, Montesa, GasGas, etc. a bit like at karting events. It was also great to see electric bikes competing alongside their petrol-powered counterparts, Electric Motion’s Benoit Bincaz took fifth on the night.

The battle for second place went down to the wire, with Jack Peace (Sherco), in his first Grand Final, pushing Jaime Busto (GasGas) and Gabriel Marcelli (Repsol Honda) hard. However, a late error cost him a podium finish. Ultimately, the podium mirrored the overall championship standings: Bou, Busto, and Marcelli.

Being there, camera in hand, I was reminded why I fell in love with this sport in the first place. The quiet tension, the improbable obstacles, and the unbelievable skill on show – it’s motorcycling in its purest form. And witnessing Bou in full command was a privilege.

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TEXT & PHOTOS:
VLADIMIR LJADOV
IG: WHEELSBYWOVKA