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Jorge Casales Leads U.S. Montesa Honda To Victory In AMA/NATC Championship
Jorge Casales has clinched the 2025 Pro-class National Championship in the AMA/NATC MotoTrials series, riding his Honda Montesa Cota 301RR. This series, co-sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association and the North American Trials Council, is the premier motorcycle trials competition in the U.S. Casales has been a dominant force throughout the season, showcasing his skills across various challenging courses.
Casales, hailing from Spain, had previously achieved podium finishes in the FIM TrialGP World Championship. However, he couldn't secure funding for a 2025 project in that series. An unexpected opportunity arose when Martin Belair, owner of U.S. Montesa Honda, reached out to him. Belair's team had previously won the 2024 National Championship with Toby Martyn. With support from American Honda and technical backing from Montesa's Spanish headquarters, Casales eagerly joined the team.
The 2025 AMA/NATC MotoTrials series featured four tour stops, each hosting two rounds. Casales adapted swiftly to both the Montesa's four-stroke engine and the unique challenges of American courses. The U.S. series demands precision due to its technical nature, leaving little room for error among top competitors. Casales excelled at the initial stops in Texas and Southern California, winning all four rounds.
In Nebraska, he secured a first and second place finish, positioning himself strongly for the final event in Ohio. There, he finished third on day one and claimed victory on day two, securing his championship title with ease.
"It was really a dream day for me," said Casales during his 30th birthday celebration weekend. "Actually, the whole season was incredible. I love the U.S.—the people, the cars, how everything is big and beautiful." He expressed gratitude to American Honda for their support and praised his team's efforts both in Spain and America.
In addition to his national success, Casales participated as a guest in the FIM TrialGP World Championship when it visited Rhode Island last week—the first U.S. visit in eight years. He achieved commendable fifth and sixth place finishes over two days against top riders like Toni Bou and Gabriel Marcelli.
Acknowledging Team Efforts
Brandon Wilson from American Honda lauded Casales' performance: "Everyone in the Honda family sends a huge congratulations to Jorge and the entire U.S. Montesa Honda team for a job well done this season." He emphasized trials as an impressive sport at elite levels despite being niche.
The collaboration between U.S. Montesa Honda and Montesa's Spanish support played a crucial role in this successful season. Wilson highlighted how this teamwork provided American fans with an exceptional display of elite riding skills.
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