Four finalists, a Superpole, and the Sprint Race system are among the highlights
The first event of the new season of the FIM X-Trial World Championship, set to debut in Madrid next Saturday, December 21, at 6:00 PM (local time), will introduce a new competition format designed to bring greater excitement, dynamism, and spectacle to every stage of the event.
Instead of three finalists, four riders will compete for victory and the two remaining podium spots in each round. However, the path to the Grand Final will change this season.
The first run through the sections, now called Q1, remains identical in terms of layout and penalties. This means the eight participants will tackle 5 or 6 sections consecutively within a defined time frame and using the same penalty system. The novelty is that the top three competitors from Q1 will advance directly to the Final. Additionally, the “Championship Point” for rankings has been eliminated.
The second phase, called Q2 “Last Chance”, will feature a Sprint format over 2 or 3 sections and will involve the five riders who missed direct qualification in Q1. The best performer—based on the lowest combined time, including penalties—will secure the fourth and final spot in the Final.
Once the four finalists are determined, the Superpole will decide the starting order for Section 1 of the Final. The Superpole will follow a similar format to Q2, covering 2 or 3 sections. The winner will be the last to start Section 1 in the Final.
The Final itself, now featuring four competitors, will retain the existing format and scoring system, with 5 or 6 sections and one minute allotted per rider per section.
The Sprint format in Q2 and the Superpole introduces a time-based penalty system (the fastest wins). The total time will include both the riding time and penalties. Each foot placed counts as 10 seconds, while a failure (fiasco) incurs a penalty of one minute, all added to the stopwatch reading when the rider finishes their run through the 2 or 3 sections.
The goal of this new regulation, debuting on December 21, is to increase the pace of competition and its entertainment value, highlight the importance of each phase, and broaden the pool of finalists and podium contenders. The Championship's opening event in Madrid promises to showcase the excitement of this new format.
