FIM TrialGP World Champion
THE ONE AND ONLY!
It is hard to believe that Bernie Schreiber is the USA’s first and only FIM Trial World Champion.
Coming from a nation with such a rich recent history of two-wheeled motorsport success, the dashing sixty-two-year-old occupies a unique position in America’s off-road folklore.
Tall, handsome and with style for miles, he had the same aura of California coolness that the likes of Bob Hannah and Broc Glover exuded, but while they inspired a generation of US motocross racers, Schreiber’s impact was felt mainly in Europe.
Now living in Switzerland, he may have moved away from his home state over forty years ago, but he still possesses that laidback, easy-going SoCal cool.
The impact Schreiber had on the World trial scene of the late 1970s should not be under-estimated. At the time the sport was dominated by ice-cool Scandinavian riders – plus a handful of hardmen from the north of England – and Schreiber brought with him a flair and a new style of riding that had previously not been witnessed.
Schreiber made his World Trial debut – although at the time it was still classified as a European Championship – at Saddleback Park in 1974 but was too young to be officially classified in the results and three years later he crossed the Atlantic and embarked on his first full World Championship campaign.
Finishing seventh in his debut season, he improved to third the following year before claiming an historic title in 1979.
A move from the established Bultaco marque to an under-developed Italjet in 1980 proved to change his fortunes and although he went on to finish vice-champion on three occasions and win another twelve World Trial rounds, he retired from World Championship competition in 1987 without taking another title.
PALMARES
FIM TrialGP World Champion - 1979