BOU MAKES IT 3 IN A ROW
By G2F on 27th Feb 09
Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa HRC clinched his third consecutive SPEA FIM Indoor Trial World Championship with a resounding victory at the penultimate round of the 2009 series held in Bolzano, Italy. The twenty-two year old was simply in a class of his own dropping just a single mark on time in the very last section of the competition to leave his rivals with no chance at all.
Adam Raga – Gas Gas had to be content with the runners' up spot on the night after putting up a strong resistance throughout the Trial. Whilst Raga had to concede the title, this result lifts him to second in the series, two points clear of Albert Cabestany – Sherco who could only manage fourth spot on this occasion.
Bou signalled his intention from the outset losing just two marks during his visit to the five qualifying sections, which although were not very difficult still tested all the riders. Surprisingly it was Jeroni Fajardo – Beta who was the next best qualifier, the young Spanish rider managing to demote Raga to third position by virtue of having a faster time.
The opening round was a tense affair due to the easier than normal conditions, all the riders knowing that one mistake could rule them out of the main event. In the end just four points separated the first five riders on the opening round, with Michael Brown – Sherco being the last qualifier on a mere ten marks. Wildcard entrant Matteo Grattrola – Sherco did not enjoy the best of nights, with the rookie recording a maximum score.
A capacity crowd in the tiny arena were treated to real display of brilliance by Bou, who kept his nerve and focus despite Raga matching him clean for clean in the majority of the technical hazards. Bou was out in front right from the start of the Trial beating Fajardo easily in their head to head race.
From there on in the rest of the field were engaged in a fight to remain on terms with the reigning champion, who was in no mood to wait until the final round in Madrid in the middle of March to collect his third Indoor crown. Bou's ride in the final section was typical of the champion, and was a fitting performance with which to seal his Trial win and his Championship victory.
2009 SPEA FIM INDOOR TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONHIP
Round 4 – Bolzano – Italy, 26 February - Thursday
Results:
Trial
1: Bou 1
2: Raga 6
3: Fujinami 10
4: Cabestany 11
5: Fajardo 20
6: Brown 29
Qualifying
1: Antonio Bou (SPA-Montesa-HRC) 2,
2: Jeroni Fajardo (SPA-Beta) 4,
3: Adam Raga (SPA-Gas Gas) 4,
4: Takahisa Fujinami (JPN-Montesa-HRC) 5,
5: Albert Cabestany (SPA-Sherco) 6,
6: Michael Brown (GBR-Sherco) 10
Non-Qualifiers:
7: Matteo Grattarola (ITA-Sherco) 25
Current FIM championship standings:
1: Bou 30, 2: Raga 22,
3: Cabestany 20, 4: Fujinami 18,
5: Fajardo 12, 6: Brown 7, 7: Lampkin 4, 8: Gubian 1, 9: Grattarola 1
For more information please visit www.fim-live.com