Home
The twenty-seventh edition of the FIM Trial des Nations marks an important moment for this wonderful competition, with the event set to return to Myslenice, Poland which was the first host of this inter countries team Trial back in 1984. The French were victorious on that historic day back in the mid eighties with a certain Thierry Michaud and his brother Fred being accompanied by Philippe Berlatier and Gilles Burgat on the top step of the podium.
This marked the start of a winning run for France, with them recording two further victories over the next two years. The French squad secured the title twice more in 1988 and 1990 to take their tally to five wins in total, however they have not won the trophy since. Italy recorded their one and only victory in Tampere, Finland in 1987 thanks to the efforts of Diego Bosis, Donato Miglio, Renato Chiaberto and Carlo Franco.
1989 would signal the sign of things to come with Spain taking their first ever win at the event held in Bertrix, Belgium. At that time Jordi Tarres was just beginning his own reign at the top of World Trial and was supported by a strong cast in the form of Amos Bilbao, Gabino Renales and Andreu Codina as they stepped forward to share the winners' champagne. Spain's dominant run from 1989 through to 1996 was only interrupted once in 1990 by France, before Great Britain finally wrestled the trophy off them towards the end of 1997.
The British team of Dougie Lampkin, Steve Colley, Graham Jarvis and Dan Clarke made the most of their home advantage on the Isle of Man on that famous day and they became only the fourth country to hold this team title. Great Britain have won the FIM Trial des Nations on three further occasions in 1999, 2002 and 2003 since that initial victory. They remain in an exclusive club alongside Spain, Italy and France, as the only ones to have their name engraved on this prestigious trophy. However Spain stand clear at the top of the honours tables with sixteen wins to their name, which should become seventeen this weekend when the competition returns to its spiritual place of birth.
The International Trophy class was first introduced in Piesting, Austria in 1995 with The Netherlands being the first holders of this support category title. Germany have been the dominant force in this class over the following years and have won the International Trophy no less than five times from 1996 onwards, including their narrow win last year. Belgium, the United States and Ireland sit second in the overall rankings having each recorded two victories during the fifteen year history of this class.
2000 saw the arrival of the Women's Cup with Spain being the first to claim this new FIM team prize. Over the last decade Spain, Great Britain and Germany have been the leading nations in this class, with the Spanish and British girls locked on three wins each, whilst the German's have won the event twice. Last year's battle in Italy saw team GB snatch a single mark win over their Spanish rivals, so it is all to play for when the girls arrive in Poland this coming weekend.
