Bou draws first blood in Luxembourg
By TMX Archives on 30th Mar 08
Reigning World indoor and outdoor champion Toni Bou Repsol Montesa HRC started the new outdoor series as he finished the 2007 season with a win at the opening round of the FIM 2008 SPEA Trial World Championship. His Spanish rival and runner-up in the 2007 series, Adam Raga Gas Gas was second with Japanese rider Takahisa Fujinami Repsol Montesa HRC in third place.
Reigning World indoor and outdoor champion Toni Bou Repsol Montesa HRC startedthe new outdoor series as he finished the 2007 season with a win at the openinground of the FIM 2008 SPEA Trial World Championship. His Spanish rival andrunner-up in the 2007 series, Adam Raga Gas Gas was second with Japanese riderTakahisa Fujinami Repsol Montesa HRC in third place.
The small town of Ettelbruck to the north of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourgplayed host to the opening round of the 2008 championship with a challengingcourse, which was made considerably harder by recent rain and this was reflectedby the high scores.
Reigning champion Bou got off to a nervous start withtwo uncharacteristic fives in the opening lap. This, along with a single markfor failing to complete the lap in the allocated time meant there was a threeway tie at the top of the scoreboard at the end of the first half of thecompetition. This was between Bou, Fujinami and a rejuvenated Dougie Lampkin Beta, all of whom were on twenty-five marks apiece. Raga was a further fivemarks behind at this stage on a score of thirty.
On the second lap, Ragaattempted one of his trademark comebacks, dropping just fourteen marks for hissecond tour of the fifteen slippery sections. However despite his best effortsit wasn't to be quite enough with Bou dropping eighteen marks on the same lap.This proved sufficient to secure him the win over Raga by a singledab.
As a result, Bou tops the initial 2008 championship table with athree point lead over Raga and five points over Fujinami.
In the Juniorchampionship, last year's runner-up, Alexz Wigg Montesa won by a clear tenmark margin over second place Alfredo Gomez Montesa with Matteo Grattarola Sherco taking the remaining podium position. Although nervous about his firstWorld championship event since switching to the four-stroke Montesa, four cleansin the opening four sections clearly settled any fears Wigg had.
TheYouth championship was much closer with Francesc Moret Gas Gas taking hisfirst World championship win by a single mark over Jack Challoner Beta. YoungAmercian rider, Patrick Smage Sherco had to settle for third position aftercollecting three time penalties on the second lap, which put him out ofcontention for the top podium place.
The 2008 SPEA Trial WorldChampionship moves swiftly on with round two being held in the seaside town ofBangor, Northern Ireland on the 6th of April, which happens to be next weekend.This event will also incorporate the opening round of the UEM Trial EuropeanChampionship on Saturday, ahead of Sunday's main competition.
Day 1Results: (1 Day event)
World
1: Bou 43
2: Raga 44
3: Fujinami 53
Junior
1: Wigg 29
2: Gomez 39
3: Grattarola 40
Youth 125cc
1: Moret 52
2: Challoner 53
3: Smage 55
2008 FIM Riders Championship
Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 20
2: Raga 17
3: Fujinami 15
Junior
1: Wigg 20
2: Gomez 17
3: Grattarola 15
Youth 125cc
1: Moret 20
2: Challoner 17
3: Smage 13
2007 FIM Manufacturers Championship
Current Standings:
1: Montesa 35
2: Gas Gas 26
3: Beta 23
4: Sherco 17
This round: 30th March, Ettelbruck, Luxembourg
Next round: 6th April Bangor, Northern Ireland