ML Events is delighted to announce that Hope Technology has come on board as exclusive bicycle components partner for X-Trial Leeds, round six of the 2026 FIM X-Trial World Championship.
The Lancashire-based business, a global leader in the highly specialised bicycle component manufacturing industry, was a staunch supporter of all three editions of ML Events’ hugely successful DL12 Indoor Trial and will renew its ongoing and valued support when X-Trial Leeds makes its debut in the city’s First Direct Bank Arena on Saturday 24 January 2026.
The first motorcycle event ever to be held in the impressive city centre venue, X-Trial Leeds marks the series’ return to Britain following a decade’s absence as part of a three-year deal for ML Events to run its home round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship.
Hope Technology was founded in the late 1980s by Trial enthusiasts and gifted engineers Ian Weatherill and Simon Sharp. Starting out making disc brakes for mountain bikes, the business has grown into a huge worldwide concern and become synonymous with excellence and innovation with an extensive range of products that includes everything from hubs, handlebars and headsets through to carbon track frames and complete bikes.
With around half its production exported to over forty countries, everything is designed, tested and manufactured in Hope’s state of the art facility in Barnoldswick and their beautifully crafted components have gained an enviable global reputation for quality, reliability and performance.
Event co-promoter Dougie Lampkin is a long-time friend and fan of Hope who has used their components and benefitted from their support in many of his projects over the years, including Pedal de Alps and his epic wheelie around the Isle of Man’s TT course.
Lampkin said: “I am delighted to have Hope behind us for X-Trial Leeds. I have been friends with the guys at Hope for a very long time and after they showed such unwavering support for all three editions of the DL12 Indoor Trial I am over the moon to get their full backing for our latest venture. Everything they produce demonstrates incredible attention to detail and that is the way we work as well so it is great to maintain this association with such a well-respected, forward-thinking company.”
Hope Co-Founder Ian Weatherill added: “Trials has been in our blood since the start and while Hope is best known for its bicycle parts and racing success, we have long been a loyal supporter of Dougie and his projects. We are extremely pleased to have been part of his previous projects and are very happy to give ML Events our full backing as they bring the FIM X-Trial World Championship back to Britain after a decade away.”
Tickets for X-Trial Leeds on Saturday 24 January 2026 are already on sale. Click here to discover which seats have already sold as the FIM X-Trial World Championship returns to the UK after a ten-year absence.
Click here for full event details.