TrialGB is the UK’s elite motorcycle trials championship.
The series, which is organised and permitted by the Auto-Cycle Union – the official governing body of motorcycle sport – has been pushing the limits of precision, balance, and control since 1950. It has produced some of Great Britain’s biggest trials riding stars who have gone on to win a raft of world titles through the decades.
The trial discipline pitches rider and machine against technical terrain. Riders must successfully navigate their way across rocky climbs, sheer drops, and impossible turns on competitive sections – all against the clock. Every error – or dab of a foot on the ground – adds points to the rider’s score. With just 90 seconds per section, riders must perform under pressure. The rider with the lowest score wins.
TrialGB events are held at the UK’s best venues, and with easy access to the competitive action, catering and facilities on site, offer a memorable day out for fans of all ages.
Since it was established in 1950, the ACU British Trials Championship has crowned some of the most accomplished riders in the history of off-road motorcycle sport.
Belfast-born Sammy Miller remains the most successful of all, claiming 11 consecutive titles between 1959 and 1969 – a stunning record that still stands. Steve Saunders came closest to re-writing the history books, winning ten back-to-back titles between 1983 and 1992, while more recently, James Dabill and Dougie Lampkin have added eight and seven titles respectively.
Illustrating their versatility, Miller and Saunders each mastered both two- and four-stroke machines during their careers, and while it’s hard to precisely verify individual round wins during the 1960s, Miller’s dominance suggests he secured around 100 victories, while Saunders notched 60.
Riders like Graham Jarvis (34 wins), Martin Lampkin (25 wins) and Malcolm Rathmell (23 wins) have also left an indelible mark on the sport.
1950: Jim Alves (Triumph)
1951: Bill Nicholson (BSA)
1952: Bill Nicholson (BSA)
1953: Jeff Smith (BSA)
1954: Jeff Smith (BSA)
1955: Gordon Jackson (AJS)
1956: Johnny Brittain (Royal Enfield)
1957: Johnny Brittain (Royal Enfield)
1958: Gordon Jackson (AJS)
1959: Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1960: Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1961: Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1962: Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1963: Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1964: Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1965: Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1966: Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1967: Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1968: Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1969: Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1970: Gordon Farley (Montesa)
1971: Gordon Farley (Montesa)
1972: Malcolm Rathmell (Bultaco)
1973: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco)
1974: Malcolm Rathmell (Bultaco)
1975: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa)
1976: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa)
1977: Rob Shepherd (Honda)
1978: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco)
1979: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa)
1980: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco/SWM)
1981: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa)
1982: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco-FIN)
1983: Steve Saunders (Armstrong)
1984: Steve Saunders (Armstrong)
1985: Steve Saunders (Honda)
1986: Steve Saunders (Honda)
1987: Steve Saunders (Fantic)
1988: Steve Saunders (Fantic)
1989: Steve Saunders (Fantic)
1990: Steve Saunders (Beta)
1991: Steve Saunders (Beta)
1992: Steve Saunders (Aprilia)
1993: Steve Colley (Beta)
1994: Dougie Lampkin (Beta)
1995: Steve Colley (Gas Gas)
1996: Dougie Lampkin (Beta)
1997: Dougie Lampkin (Beta)
1998: Dougie Lampkin (Beta)
1999: Dougie Lampkin (Beta)
2000: Dougie Lampkin (Montesa)
2001: No Contest – Swine Fever
2002: Dougie Lampkin (Montesa)
2003: Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2004: Steve Colley (Gas Gas)
2005: Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2006: Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2007: Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2008: Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2009: James Dabill (Gas Gas)
2010: James Dabill (Gas Gas)
2011: James Dabill (Beta)
2012: James Dabill (Beta)
2013: Michael Brown (Gas Gas)
2014: James Dabill (Beta)
2015: James Dabill (Vertigo)
2016: James Dabill (Vertigo)
2017: Jack Price (Gas Gas)
2018: James Dabill (Beta)
2019: Jack Price (Gas Gas)
2020: Iwan Roberts (TRRS)
2021: Toby Martyn (TRRS)
2022: Toby Martyn (TRRS)
2023: Jack Peace (Sherco)
2024: Harry Hemingway (Beta)
1964 Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1973 Martin Lampkin (Bultaco)
1983 Steve Saunders (Armstrong)
1994 Dougie Lampkin (Beta)
2003 Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2013 Michael Brown (Gas Gas)
2020 Iwan Roberts (TRRS)
2024 Harry Hemingway (Beta)
