X-Trial 2023 Review: Bou Wins Six out of Seven Trials, Claims 17th Consecutive Title

Once again under the leadership of Team Manager Takahisa Fujinami, Repsol Honda Team was represented by Toni Bou and Gabriele Marcelli. The biggest question of the year was, would Toni Bou win his 17th consecutive title, or would someone finally stop the invincible king of trials.

1-2 in the Season-opener, the Perfect Start

For the 16th time in a row, Bou won in Barcelona, the season-opener. Teammate Marcelli also had a strong performance, finishing Round 2 in third place behind Bou and Jaime Busto (Gas Gas). Bou completed the six sections of the final round with seven points deducted, while Marcelli finished with 13, 4 points better than Busto, marking the second 1-2 finish for the team since they became teammates, and a great start to the season.

In the second event in Austria, Bou finished on the podium in second place. Despite  struggling, he maintained his lead in the championship. Marcelli, in his first Austrian event, had 23 points deducted from his Round 1 and 2 scores, which tied him with Adam Raga (TRRS) in third place overall, but missed the finals by one clean, ultimately finishing in fourth place.

In X-Trial Pamplona in Spain, Bou, who entered the finals in third place, made an impressive comeback to take an impressive win. Marcelli also beat Busto by a single point to finish second, as he did in Barcelona. It was the team's second 1-2 finish of the season.

In X-Trial Bordeaux, Bou, who had qualified for the finals in second place, took a five-point deduction in the first section, but managed to complete the remaining five sections with minimal deductions, earning his third win of the season. Marcelli, on the other hand, did not make it into the finals and ended the event fifth, but kept his third place for the season so far.

Bou Dominates Remaining Events
Marcelli Close Behind

The fifth X-Trial, Andorra, came half a year after Bordeaux, with the outdoor season in between. Bou, who had qualified first for the finals, continued his perfect performance, winning the by more than 10 points over his closest rival. Marcelli also finished third, and the team were off to a good start in the second half of the season.

Bou was expected to secure his title in X-Trial Madrid and, for the fifth time this season won the X-Trial event and overall championship, with one event remaining. Bou had won his 17th consecutive indoor title, or 34th including his outdoor titles. Marcelli, who challenged Bou’s dominance in the finals, finished second.

In the final event in Vendee, France, Bou closed out the season with total victory, winning rounds 1, 2, and the finals. Marcelli also caught up to Bou at Section 4 in the finals for a tiebreaker, but Bou lost only one point, while Marcelli lost three, giving him second place.

Bou kept his rivals at bay with a dominant performance, winning six of the seven events and finishing second once. Marcelli finished the season in third place overall with five podium finishes.

Rd.01 Spain (Barcelona)：Repsol Honda Trial Team start X-Trial with a one-two in Barcelona

Rd.02 Austria：Bou finishes second and Marcelli fourth in Austria

Rd.03 Spain (Pamplona)：New one-two for Repsol Honda Trial Team in Pamplona

Rd.04 France (Bordeaux)：Toni Bou takes third victory of the season and Gabriel Marcelli finishes fifth in Bordeaux

Rd.05 Andorra：Bou takes victory and Marcelli rounds off the podium in Andorra

Rd.06 Spain (Madrid)：Bou confirms title with win in Madrid

Rd.07 France (Vendee)：Repsol Honda close indoor season with one-two finish

Standings