Ben Hemingway, The Accidental Hero of The FIM Trial des Nations

The FIM Trial des Nations (TdN) is a premier event in the trial motorcycling world, and fans are gearing up for the 2024 edition, set to take place in Pobladura de las Regueras, Spain. Dominated by the Spanish men’s team for nearly two decades, the event brings together the world’s best teams to compete in an intricate test of balance, precision, and endurance.

While Spain’s dominance in recent years is almost taken for granted, it’s important to remember the last time they were defeated—by Great Britain in 2003, thanks to the unexpected contribution of an "accidental hero," Ben Hemingway.

A Look Back: Great Britain's last triumph

In 2003, Great Britain was on top of the world in trial motorcycling. The British team had secured the FIM Trial des Nations title in 2002, and hopes were high for a repeat victory. The team consisted of the legendary Dougie Lampkin, Steve Colley, Sam Connor, and Graham Jarvis. The stage was set in Lavarone, nestled in the Italian Alps, where the reigning champions sought to defend their title.

What no one expected was for one of Britain’s key riders, Steve Colley, to fall ill the night before the event due to food poisoning. The team’s title defence seemed in jeopardy—until Ben Hemingway was thrust into the spotlight.

Ben Hemingway: The unexpected call

Ben Hemingway, now 47 years old, was no stranger to the sport. As a young rider in the 1990s, he made his mark in the FIM Trial World Championship and was a member of the bronze-winning team at the 2000 TdN in Seva, Spain. However, in 2003, he hadn’t planned on competing. Instead, he travelled to Lavarone simply to support his fellow British riders.

“I only went out to watch,”

Hemingway recalls.

“But Steve got food poisoning and couldn’t ride, so on the morning of the trial I got a knock on my van door.” In a stroke of luck, Hemingway had brought all his gear with him, including his bike, his brother Dan’s bike, and even his licences, just in case. He wasn’t expecting to ride, but fortune favoured the prepared.

Rising to the challenge

Despite being a last-minute substitute, Hemingway’s experience and skill made him the natural choice to fill Colley’s place in the team. One obstacle, however, was that he didn’t have a regulation green helmet, an essential piece of gear for the event.

“I tried to wear Steve’s helmet, but it was too small for my big head,”

he jokes. Instead, Hemingway rode with a helmet featuring a Union Jack, symbolically uniting the team in the face of unexpected adversity.

Despite suffering a migraine on the day of the event, Hemingway rose to the occasion. The British team faced off against a formidable Spanish squad featuring Adam Raga, Albert Cabestany, Marc Colomer, and Marc Freixa—all icons in the sport. In the end, it was a close-fought battle, but Britain edged out Spain by a single mark to claim an unlikely victory.

“Winning was an absolutely unbelievable feeling,” Hemingway recalls. “It was totally out of the blue, but all our stars aligned, and everyone rode really well. It was a really good Spanish team, and the result was so close.”

Reflecting on a historic moment

As the years have passed, Hemingway has come to fully appreciate the magnitude of that victory. “As I get older, I’m becoming aware of what a fantastic achievement it was. It’s hard to believe that was twenty-one years ago, and it’s always nice to remind myself that I was part of the team. Representing my country was a massive thing for me; it’s such a privilege to ride for your country. It means so much.”

The FIM Trial des Nations holds a unique place in the sport. Unlike the individual rounds of the world championship, the TdN is a team event, fostering a deep sense of camaraderie among riders who, for the rest of the year, are rivals.

“The TdN is such a unique event,”

Hemingway says.

“Trial riders are all friendly people anyway, but it’s amazing how close your teammates become after you’ve competed against them throughout the year, and the minders are such a big part of the team as well. It’s a fantastic event.”

The Hemingway legacy

Though younger fans of the sport might be more familiar with the names Harry and George Hemingway, Ben’s nephews, it’s clear that the Hemingway family has a long-standing connection to the world of trial. Harry and George have dominated the FIM Trial3 World Championship in recent years, continuing the family tradition of success in the sport. Ben’s story adds another chapter to that legacy, showcasing not only skill but also the grit and determination required to succeed at the highest level.

His connection to seven-time TrialGP champion Dougie Lampkin further cements his status in the sport, but it’s Ben’s 2003 heroics that stand as a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion when his team needed him the most.

Key moments of the 2003 Trial des Nations victory

• Team Line-up: Dougie Lampkin, Sam Connor, Graham Jarvis, and last-minute substitute Ben Hemingway
• Venue: Lavarone, Italy
• Final Score: Great Britain defeated Spain by a single mark
• Spanish Team: Adam Raga, Albert Cabestany, Marc Colomer, Marc Freixa
• Significance: The last time a team defeated Spain in the TdN

The story of Ben Hemingway’s unexpected role in Great Britain’s 2003 victory will forever be remembered as one of the great moments in the FIM Trial des Nations. It’s a story that continues to inspire riders and fans alike, showing that sometimes the most remarkable achievements come from the most unexpected circumstances.