The FIM is delighted to announce that Esdeux, the promoter of the FIM X-Trial World Championship since 2021, has agreed a contract renewal covering the next three seasons up to and including 2029 with the option of a further two-year extension.
After taking over the reins of the championship five years ago, the French company – that is headed by renowned promoter and course designer Bernard Estripeau – has broadened the appeal of the spectacular indoor discipline, taking it to new countries and continents. With an expanded calendar and more dynamic format increasing the intensity and excitement of the series, the inclusion of up-and-coming young riders alongside established stars has helped lay the foundations for the future while a carefully considered approach to social media has seen the global X-Trial audience constantly grow.
Since promoting his first Indoor Trial in his home city of Toulouse almost forty-three years ago, Estripeau has accumulated a wealth of international experience in this highly-specialised field and has now put his name to more than four-hundred Indoor Trial events at venues across the world.
FIM X-Trial World Championship promoter Bernard Estripeau stated: “First of all, I would like to thank the FIM for the confidence it continues to place in me with this renewal. Over the past five years, we have been able to introduce a new, more dynamic competition format. We have also integrated many young riders and seen new nations join the championship. During this period, we have brought X-Trial to new countries and gradually increased the number of championship events, reaching ten rounds last season. We wish to continue in this direction – to keep opening up the discipline, give opportunities to the younger generations, deliver a high-quality show and make X-Trial ever more visible and attractive to fans around the world.”
FIM President Jorge Viegas added: “Over the last five seasons we have watched Esdeux continue to grow and develop the FIM X-Trial World Championship across the globe and on behalf of the FIM I would like to say how delighted I am to continue this relationship. With someone as forward-thinking as Bernard Estripeau at the helm, I am confident we can look forward to seeing this spectacular, fan-friendly discipline continue to flourish under his direction.”