Each time the FIM Trial World Championship returns to the US, like it does today as round seven of the 2015 series plays out at Stepping Stone Ranch, it is the ideal moment to reflect on America’s only ever FIM Trial World Champion Bernie Schreiber. Even thirty-six years on from when Bernie captured the 1979 crown, he remains a true legend of Trial.
When the series last visited America in 2013, Schreiber was a hugely popular spectator with the former champion being in high demand both from a public and media point of view. The absolute professional he was and remains, Bernie had a smile, time and words for all – including a short interview he gave exclusively to the FIM.
Here is what he had to say back then.
“I think it was the late eighties or early nineties when I was last at a World Trial, but its nice to be back and to see what is happening, it’s all quite impressive.”
“A couple of years ago I rode a classic event in Europe and ran into Yrjo Vesterinen, Charles Coutard and Thierry Michaud, so I was able to catch up a little bit on the sport then, but I haven’t had the opportunity to see the new generation of riders in action until today.”
“It's been interesting to see the new no-stop format, it looks like the riders are still adapting to this way of riding, but the sections are certainly spectacular and the public have really been enjoying that.”
“As a rider you are not always sure what is best, so as a rider you just have to adapt to whatever the rules might be, but it is clear that both the riders and bikes have developed massively and taken the sport to a new level.”
“The new format is a great opportunity to make something really spectacular for the future, its new now and needs some work, but in a year’s time I think you will see something really special.”
“I have had the chance to ride a modern Trial bike more recently, and I can say that I could certainly do things more easily on it than when compared to the bikes we used to ride, but I will not be making a comeback of any kind you can be sure of that, especially having seen the sections today.”
“It’ a real pleasure for me to be back today, it is just a shame that there has not been another American champion since me, and that’s something we need to address. The American riders need a GP in their country as often as possible and to be exposed to the top riders, and what is happening in Europe so they can understand what level they need to be at.”
“I was lucky enough to see Sammy Miller and Mick Andrews ride in America when I started out, and I knew those guys were good, but I wanted to be better than them. Seeing them gave me the dream and the confidence, and the drive to go on to be the best in the World.”
Nowadays Schreiber is part of the Omega Sports Marketing team who support the PGA golf tour in America, though the purists amongst us will be pleased to read Bernie’s reply when questioned about his swing. “You will be glad to know that my Trial riding is still much better than my golf.”
Remember to follow the 2015 FIM Trial World Championship by using the updated FIM app, which is available for FREE download (Apple store & Android market). Simply download the app and select the sport button from the front page. Inside the Trial section you will find information about the full series. Contained within each round you can access venue and event details, the event timetable, rider profiles, up to date championship standings, previous champions and standings, images and videos, news and most importantly lap by lap results as the action is actually unfolding. To view the same content online click here app.iqr.ch/fimapptrial