The city of Strasbourg, which sits in the north-east corner of France and close to the German border, will have the honour of opening the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship as the series begins its second season in its new format. Friday 13th January should prove lucky for one of the eight permanent riders who will contest for the title over the seven scheduled rounds that will conclude in Paris in late March.
Strasbourg is a new addition to the FIM X-Trial World Championship and promises to deliver a worthy opening encounter over a course designed by French section maestro Bernard Estripeau. The compact arena will house an exciting mix of man-made hazards that are sure to test the elite riders to the limit among a potentially electric atmosphere. With only four places available in the final, all the riders will be aware of just how important it will be to make a strong start to their respective campaigns.
With the opening three rounds due to be held over a three week period, the early title challengers are sure to emerge, as the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship moves swiftly onto Geneva, Switzerland and then equally quickly onward to the southern French city of Marseille, which has become a regular stop on the tour. This initial run of events could be difficult even for the main protagonists, as they adjust and adapt to match the performance of their new machinery that has been developed and enhanced during the closed season.
A break in proceedings for the month of February will allow the teams and riders to make any necessary adjustments or alterations, before they embark on the second and defining half of the series. The Spanish capital of Madrid, where Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa claimed his fifth successive FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Championship, will host round four on the first Saturday in March. Seven days later, and after a short hop across the water to the holiday island of Majorca, the riders will be back in action as they embark on another run of three rounds on the bounce.
A trip to the fashionable city of Milan will mark round six and the end of another intense period on the road to deciding who will be the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Champion. After leaving Italy the riders will then enjoy a short break before heading to the romantic French capital, as the famous Bercy stadium on the outskirts of Paris becomes the scene for the finale of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship and where the medals will be presented.
Top Step: Can anyone knock Toni Bou off the top step of the podium
The FIM X-Trial des Nations will bring the 2012 indoor season to a close in Nice, France on Friday 6th April, as the top countries fight it out for team honours.
The 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship and the FIM X-Trial des Nations will both benefit from increased TV coverage this season, with the FIM having now reached agreement with the following broadcasters:
- ESPN Sur (Argentina)
- ESPN Star (Asia except Japan)
- ESPN Brazil
- Motors TV (Pan European)
- Moto TV (Italy)
- Sport TV (Portugal)
- SuperSport (South Africa)
- ESPN EMEA (United Kingdom)
- Speed TV (USA)
- Moto Action TV (Venezuela)
- FIMTV
Motors TV and FIM-TV.COM will provide live coverage of all events, with the other broadcasters offering highlights programmes throughout the series.