Fifty years ago, a young Finnish rider introduced himself on the world trials stage, his name was Yrjö Vesterinen.

It is hard to believe that it is now 50 years since Yrjö stamped his authority on the world stage of trials. Back in 1976, ‘Vesty’ as he was to become universally known, clinched his first of three world titles and secured his place in trials history.

This is a Trials Guru tribute to a true champion as we celebrate 50 years since his first World Championship win.

He won the FIM world title three times in succession, 1976, 1977 and 1978, but also became British Trials Champion in 1982, eleven times Finnish trials champion, between 1970 and 1980 and seven times Scandinavian Trials Champion. He also was victorious in the 1988 Scottish Six Days Trial, albeit riding the unfamiliar 349 Montesa Cota under a factory contract which lasted for one season only. The greatest of his other victories were achieved on Bultaco machinery, a brand he was passionate about and to which he was fiercely loyal.

Yrjö Vesterinen wasn’t born a competitor, but growing up in Finland and loving the outdoor life, competition became part of his life, whether that be climbing trees or riding his bicycle, things progressed to moped trials, popular in Finland.

Yrjö’s journey to world champion really began back in 1970 when the premier championships were the European series, known originally as the Henri Groutars Challenge. Vesty finished fourth in the Finnish round that year. He finished in fourteenth position against the best riders in Europe at the time. The following year he had a podium result at the Finnish round behind Malcolm Rathmell and Mick Andrews.

In 1975, the inaugural FIM World Trials Championship had Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) crowned as the first official world champion, runner up was Yrjö Vesterinen also Bultaco mounted. Vesty’s result signaled to the world trials fans what would happen the following year.

In the nine years (1975-1983) that Vesty took part in the FIM World series, he accumulated three wins, two second place, two thirds, a tenth and a seventeenth place.

Reflecting on how it all began on his social media in September 2026, Yrjö Vesterinen wrote: “Fifty years ago this week I was in Switzerland for the second to last World Championship trial of the 1976 season.“

“My first trial was in 1967 on a moped. What followed was a journey, literally, through loads of mud and rocks. Right from the beginning I knew it was going to be an adventure towards the unknown. It became one hell of a journey and with just one goal in my mind!

In hindsight the most valuable things I ever gained were not the trophies and Championships I won. It was the life long friends I made along the way.

Also I would like to thank all my supporters and sponsors for all their help during this journey.”

Yrjö Vesterinen, Trials Guru and it’s readers salute you.

Words: Trials Guru & Yrjö Vesterinen

Photos: Iain Lawrie; Jimmy Young, Colin Bullock; Yrjö Vesterinen private archive; Juan Luis Gailliard; Guilio Mauri/Fontsere.