After three days of competition on super tough terrain in Taranaki, New Zealand has edged out Australia to win a gripping 2025 FIM Oceania Trial Championship.
The 1pt victory (38 to 37) by the home team in the 50th anniversary event means the FIM Oceania trophy returns to New Zealand – but not before local nerves were jangling as Australia really hit its straps on day three.
Team Australia (Joshua Coleman, Jenna Lupo, Michelle Coleman, Garry Connell and Hector Pinto) came home strong, with both Colemans and Lupo winning their respective classes, while rising junior star Pinto kept the pressure on his New Zealand counterpart James Lawton until the last section.
Australia won the day, but ultimately it was New Zealand’s strong early form that was the difference between the two teams, with Phil Shilton, Gabrielle Gundry, Hannah Rushworth and Jim Henderson joining Lawton on the victory dais.
For Australia, Lupo and multiple Australian champion Michelle Coleman were undefeated across the three days, while Joshua Coleman finally got the better of Shilton on day three. Henderson and Lawton also took home maximum points for New Zealand.
To view coverage of the 2025 FIM Oceania Trial Championship, held in conjunction with the New Zealand title, click here ( player.castr.com link).
It was New Zealand’s 14th victory in the FIM Oceania Trial Championship since 1975, while Australia has been successful on 12 occasions – most recently in the Barossa Valley two years ago.
2025 FIM OCEANIA TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Teams
• New Zealand: 38pts
• Australia: 37pts
Individual
Australia
• Jenna Lupo: 9pts
• Michelle Coleman: 9pts
• Joshua Coleman: 7pts
• Garry Connell: 6pts
• Hector Pinto: 6pts
New Zealand
• Jim Henderson: 9pts
• James Lawton: 9pts
• Phil Shilton: 8pts
• Gabrielle Gundry: 6pts
• Hannah Rushworth: 6pts
For full results, see attachment.