Toni Bou: The Unknown Rider Who Continues to Rewrite History

The Catalan has been at the top of his sport since 2007, with no one able to dethrone him since. He has continued to redefine what’s possible on two wheels, blending supreme technical skill and balance with the relentless drive of a true champion. In fact, this winning streak might never be matched again in this sport. A sport that requires riders to essentially complete an obstacle course, which includes what look like impossible jumps, on their motorcycle. Toni’s weapon of choice? The Montesa Cota 4RT.

Bou’s Trial journey began in 1999 where he made the decision to jump on a Trials motorcycle, after winning the bicycle trial world championship in 1999 at the age of 13. It didn’t take long for this gifted rider to become Junior Spanish Champion (2001), make his World Trial debut (2003) and then go on to win his first indoor and first outdoor title in the same year as joining Repsol Honda HRC (2007).

In addition to his world titles, Toni has also won 11 national Outdoor Trial titles and helped Spain achieve 18 Trial Des Nations titles – an event that sees riders compete in a two-day Trial event representing their country, rather than their team.

You would think with that many titles that Bou would be a household name, but he’s not. Relatively few people know who he is or have heard of the Trial discipline. This is in part contributes to what makes him special. He doesn’t compete for recognition, but for the joy of pushing himself and winning. His commitment to training and ability to adapt to different riding conditions, whether indoor or outdoor, have allowed him to outcompete rivals for years. His strategic thinking is unparalleled. Toni has an incredible natural ability to “read” a course and understand how best to ride it; whether that’s how to position himself on the bike, know where to pause for stability or where to take off for a jump – it’s something that he seems to have been born with.

Since that first world title in 2007, Bou has enjoyed nearly two decades of success with his Montesa Cota 4RT, but is aware that there is a whole host of younger riders who want to come through and steal his crown: “We always try to work as hard as possible. It is important to take good care of injuries because it is more difficult to recover and that is where young people have the biggest advantage. I still want to fight with the young riders who are pushing and that is a source of motivation.”

But what are the objectives for someone who has won everything? To continue winning of course! As Toni himself says, “I am always obliged to win. We are also realistic, so one year it will end; that’s why we have to enjoy it. I look back and see everything we have achieved and it is incredible. I want to enjoy the rest of my sporting career.”

And he is keen to highlight that although he is the one riding the Trials courses at each round, he couldn’t do what he does without an incredible team around him. “The fact that the team has confidence in me is a very good thing. It gives me peace of mind. I think I’ve earned that during my career; they have earned my trust and I have earned theirs, and it is something nice. We know that titles can be lost and we could have lost them during these years, but this is sport. We have been lucky to experience something incredible. I only have words of gratitude for Honda and Repsol.”

And what about his team-mates through the years? It can’t be easy having someone on your team that appears to be unbeatable. Well, current team-mate Gabriel Marcelli says that is “the best.” He clarifies that “racing against Toni sometimes feels like racing against a wall. He’s the best one and it’s super, super hard to beat him. But it makes me push myself every time and every day. So for me, and probably for other riders, it’s helpful because it makes you a better rider.”

So, what next for this champion of champions? The answer is not rest. In only a short amount of time, Toni will once again be representing his country (Spain) at the Trial des Nations, which will be held in Tolmezzo, Italy on 20 and 21 September. And after that? It’s straight into the 2026 X-Trial season, which gets underway on 4 October in Toni’s country of residence: Andorra. Where he’s sure to put on a show for his ‘home’ crowd and kick start what will, hopefully, be another World Title winning season.

As Toni says: “In Trial, there is no limit. The only thing I want, is to improve what I did last time. It is always a very special moment when you reach a World Title. It’s always difficult to sleep the night after, and then you just want to win more!”