In this short article I’ll give you some of my thoughts of what the rider line up will look like in the top class for 2025.
In 2024 the class was contested by 13 riders, 3 on Montesa, 3 on GasGas, 2 on Sherco, 2 on Beta, 2 on TRS and 1 on Vertigo.
Earlier in the year it was announced that the thirty year collaboration between Repsol and Honda was coming to an end in Moto GP. Many people have wondered how this would affect the trial team as they are also sponsored by Repsol- it would now appear to look like a deal has been done for the trial team to continue with Repsol sponsorship which would mean that the team of Toni Bou and Gabriel Marcelli will continue as normal.
The announcement of KTMs €3billion debt and internal insolvency procedure must cast some doubt on the future of the GasGas presence, at least in its current form. In the top class Busto finished in P3 and Petrella finished in P12 – riding only the European Rounds which would imply that in 2024 his support was partially from the Factory and partially from the Italian importer. The other riders, while not in Trial GP who were in the team were in Trial 2, Jack Dance and Sondre Haga who rode the TXE prototype. It would seem that Busto will continue on the GasGas for the full series while Petrella will ride selected rounds again with the support of the Importer. The main thing which could change, if rumours are correct is that the development of the TXE has been halted and that Sondre Haga has already offered his services for 2025 to EM, however they have signed Jeroni Fajardo to ride in Trial 2 if injuries permit.
Adam Raga retired from full time International competition which leaves a space in the Sherco Factory team. Other news sources have reported that Vertigo is also seeking to restructure because of financial pressure which could therefore see Gelabert returning again to Sherco. Benoit Bincaz was also reportedly out of contract with no ride offered and Trial 2 World Champion Jack Peace will also take the step up to Trial GP
Beta, who appear to be stable using the tried and tested Evo would continue with Matteo Grattarola and French rider Hugo Dufrese who has recently joined the factory team. Last year Lorenzo Gandola rode the European rounds with some support and this is likely to continue as well.
In the Official TRS Team, Aniol Gelabert looks to remain. Last year however the top TRS rider was Jorge Casales who was riding a privately funded bike, for 2025 no offer from the factory has been forthcoming. Jorge has an offer to ride in the US Championship on a Montesa similar to what Toby Martyn did this year, however I am not sure if this also translated to Jorge being offered the Montesa that Toby has left.
The last time Scorpa had a rider in the top class was 2023 and for 2025 it looks like Billy Green will make the step up meaning there will again be a Scorpa in the top class and also two British riders for the first time in a few years.
