The world of racing on the trial bike is far from what someone who has never taken part in one of these races can imagine. It is true that, if we combine the concept of trial, understood as a very technical discipline, with the concept of a race, it may not be very attractive at first, but that is why we have approached this report.
If there is one thing that is clear to us at Trialworld, through our trial school, it is that 90% of trial motorcycle users are amateurs. And when we say amateurs, we mean basic levels, where the aim is to overcome a technical challenge by precision and skill, not by difficulty in terms of dimensions or dangerousness.
GETTING STARTED IN TRIAL COMPETITIONS
In a context where it is difficult to go out on the mountain with an offroad bike legally, or where there are still people who can only go out on the mountain alone, having authorized regional events is a fantastic escape.
It is a formula where you can meet more users who share the same passion, open new conversations about the discipline, and of course the challenge of enduring a full morning of trial with dignity, fighting to surpass yourself in each area.
WE SIGNED UP FOR A REGIONAL TRIAL WITH AN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE
This article on the initiation to competition in trial motorcycles is intended to be useful to find out more about what is hidden behind a license and a bib.
Why an electric motorcycle? We ran this test with a 2022 Electric Motion EPure Race to bring even more value and richness to the content. It has helped us to prove that we are capable of doing the same level of zones, with an interesting progression, as well as opening the mind as we like, leaving the threshold of comfort.
REGISTRATION
Without going into the scope of license prices, which cater to various casuistry depending on the federations and the scope of use, it is necessary to have an annual or daily license to be able to participate. This license actually serves a medical insurance, as it provides special coverage in the event of an accident in a competition. With these licenses you can compete on a regional or national level, depending on the option you hire.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RUN A TRIAL RACE?
In a regional championship the registration fee is around €45 (license apart), regardless of the category. Once you decide to sign up for the race, you must choose the level of difficulty, which usually follows this structure:
TR1: maximum level of difficulty, for “pro” riders
TR2: high difficulty level, but affordable
TR3: medium level, it is technical, but with simple and feasible obstacles. Ideal for veteran riders and amateurs in progression.
TR4: minimum difficulty, where there is no danger and you work with areas where skill is more important than any other aspect.
Depending on the regional, we can find a level below, and even children’s categories. It is also common for there to be classics contests, where the name of the categories changes.
In the zones, these levels are represented by colored arrows, where the user must complete the route through their category.
SCORING IN A TRIAL RACE
As is well known, the zero is completed when the rider passes all the dates within the established time (usually 1:30 minutes), without putting his foot, without stopping (if the regulations are nonstop) and without crossing lines at other levels.
Each foot is added up as a point until you reach three. If we put 3 or more feet, it is scored as 3 points. As long as we have passed the route by the established dates.
If the pilot falls, the engine stops, reverses, fails to pass an arrow, “steps” on them or crosses their line, it is five points.
The driver with the fewest points wins. Normally there are 8 sections to be completed in 3 laps, or 12 sections to be completed in 2 laps, although this depends on the organizer.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
A good place to start is to locate the location of a regional in your community and go to see the atmosphere. It is a first step to take up the trial bike again or increase its use in other circumstances.
In our case, we also have the trial courses of Trialworld School, so there is no excuse to draw up a calendar of activities that combines your private outings to the mountains with the good atmosphere of a race or a course.
We invite you to follow us in this Madrid Trial Championship in the video below, at the controls of an Electric Motion EPure Race 2022
