Bou's going Bald!
By TMX Archives on 22nd Apr 11
The 2010 SPEA FIM World Trials Championship is moving into its final stage with the ninth of an eventual 11 days of competition taking place this Sunday courtesy of the San Marino round which will take place at Baldasserona.
Toni Bou has little pressure on him as the factory Repsol Montesa rider hold a comfy 21 point lead from his nearest challenger, team-mate Takahisa Fujinami so expect the reigning world champ to really ride with abandon and show what he is really capable of. But behind Bou there is the usual elbowing and hustling between the chasing pack, each with their own point to prove and as the season reaches its conclusion these battles mean more than ever with 2011 contracts to fight for.
After his disastrous sixth place in France this week Gas Gas number one Adam Raga really needs a result in San Remo but there again so does Sherco's Albert Cabestany and Beta's Jeroni Fajardo. Jeroni has rode really well this year without really gaining full benefit and is surely due a podium run.
Meanwhile Britain's James Dabill and Doug Lampkin fight it out for sixth in the series with Dibs holding an 11 point advantage although Doug did miss the two Japanese rounds when he contested the Erzberg Rodeo. This is a fascinating battle. Just 14 championship riders are entered with Michael Brown (Sherco) and Alexz Wigg (Beta) both looking for a top ten breakthrough.
The Junior class, boasting 26 entrants, will see Jack Challoner looking to roar back into contention following his disappointing sixth in France. This dropped the Beta-mounted Yorkshire ace ten points adrift of series leader Alfredo Gomes on the Montesa but there's still time for Jack to regain that ground if he can put the Catalan rider under pressure with a win on Sunday. Jack will be joined by Jonathan Richardson who will be hoping that the ankle he injured in France causing him to DNF will hold-up, Harry Harvey and Lancashire's George Morton. Geeorge only joined the series for the two British rounds in Forth William where he scored good points and followed this up with a solid round in France so there is every reason to believe he can keep this going in San Marino and the following week in Italy.
Britain's best chance for for a World Trials Championship now is East Anglian Jack Sheppard who is relishing a season-long battle with Barcelona boy Pol Tarres. Both lads consistently give their best and although Tarres currently holds a seven point advantage Jack is full of confidence and won last weekend in France to close the gap. This is a contest that is sure to go to the fibal round in the Czech Republic and we wish Jack the best of luck.
TMX will of course keep you right up to date with what's happening in all three classes with a report and pics from San Marino in next week's issue.
