Reigning and six times FIM Trial World Champion Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa will lead the charge as the 2013 series heads to the USA for the second round of the current campaign. Bou only holds a slim advantage over his Japanese team-mate Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa after his first and third finishes at the opening encounter in Japan last month, which marked the start of a new era for the sport as the no-stop rules were re-introduced to the premier series. However the new rules had no part to play in Bou’s downfall on day two in Motegi, as a series of mistakes kept him on the lower tier of the podium.
Fujinami will be hoping that his track record of five previous wins at the US Trial GP will continue this weekend as he looks to close the two point gap on Bou. The highly popular Japanese rider was a winner last time out on home soil and remains a real championship contender despite his veteran status. Carrying almost as many years as Fujinami, Adam Raga – Gas Gas sits third in the current standings after his 2-4 showing at the opening Grand Prix. Although he would dearly love to win in the USA this weekend, having recorded his first ever GP victory in the US back in 2001, consistency is more important for Raga over the two days of competition if he is to mount a serious title challenge this year.
As has become the pattern over more recent seasons Jeroni Fajardo – Beta, Albert Cabestany – Sherco and James Dabill – Beta have identified themselves as the next group of riders most likely to infiltrate the rostrum if they can produce their best form on the day. Fajardo came within two sections of taking the win on the second day in Japan, but lost his nerve at the critical moment. However having almost been totally ruled out of the Trial due to a sudden bout of illness, Fajardo could eventually be happy with his weekend’s work in Japan. Cabestany was in the hunt on day one, but was a long way off the pace a day later, which presented Dabill with an early opportunity to grab a morale boosting top five placing as he looks to become a regular amongst the front running quintet.
Jack Sheppard – Beta is perhaps the surprise initial leader of the Junior class after he placed third and first in Japan, which was in complete contrast to the poor form that the British rider had shown at the opening two rounds of his domestic series. Spain’s more fancied Jorge Casales – Gas Gas was the winner on the opening day of the series, but endured a disastrous eighth place the following day. Casales holds third spot in the series as he heads to the USA two points behind Maxime Warenghien – Sherco 
who enjoyed a consistent 4-2 performance over the two days of the Japanese Trial GP.
French competitor Thomas Kenny - Beta is another rider who was not perhaps expected to be leading his respective class, but is more than worthy of his place at the head of the Youth category thanks to his first and third places at Motegi. His compatriot Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta is only three points behind him in the series table at this stage, although both French riders will be expected to come under attack from Bradley Cox – Beta in Sequatchie, who failed to perform in Japan despite him being the pre-season favourite to lift the crown in this young division. A total of fifty-five riders across all three classes will compete in the US Trial GP, with a strong contingent of home representatives spread throughout the entry.