Double Top for Bou with second win in Japan
By G2F on 1st Jun 08
Toni Bou Repsol Montesa HRC took his second win of the weekend today on day two of the 2008 Weider Japanese Grand Prix, round four of the 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship. The overall result was identical to yesterday, with Adam Raga Gas Gas in second and Bou's team-mate Takahisa Fujinami Repsol Montesa HRC in third.
The second of this weekend's two days of competition was an entirely different prospect from yesterday. Bright sunshine greeted the riders and the thousands of Japanese fans and the organisers at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit had made changes to the layout of several of the sections to avoid the worst of the mud and ruts developed in yesterday's rain.
However, despite this it would still prove a challenging day for the riders. Once again, the competition was close, with the top three evenly matched on the first lap, Bou and Fujinami tied on the same number of marks. Raga was under pressure from former champion Dougie Lampkin – Beta with the Englishman just three marks back and Jeroni Fajardo – Beta a further three behind Lampkin.
Today's first lap scores were significantly lower than Saturday and the second was even lower. Raga took the best score with thirteen marks, but it was not enough to pass Bou and he finished second to his countryman by just two marks. Fujinami made two mistakes on his second lap, picking up five marks each in sections six and seven and denying him a better finish, coming home in third, nine marks behind Raga.
Today's result means that Bou stretches his championship lead even further, now with a margin of fifteen points. However, Raga climbs to second, two points ahead of Fujinami while three riders; Cabestany, Lampkin and Fajardo are tied for fourth.
The Junior class saw an all-British podium. Alex Wigg - Montesa went one better than yesterday by taking the win, but it was Ross Danby – Gas Gas who made the running, finishing second compared to yesterday's off-form sixth. Sam Haslam – Gas Gas also improved on yesterday's performance to claim third. Wigg consolidates his lead in the title with Haslam edging closer to Gubian.
The Youth category also saw a British winner. Jack Challoner – Beta took the win from USA's Patrick Smage – Sherco, with Smage appearing to struggle in the conditions. Third place went to Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco, just two marks behind Smage.
The 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship now takes a three-week break before returning to Europe for round five, in France.
Day 2 Results: (2 Day event)
World
1: Bou 40
2: Raga 42
3: Fujinami 51
Junior
1: Wigg 45
2: Danby 62
3: Haslam 63
Youth 125cc
1: Challoner 79
2: Smage 94
3: Ferrer 96
2008 FIM Riders Championship Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 114
2: Raga 99
3: Fujinami 97
Junior
1: Wigg 105
2: Gubian 97
3: Haslam 83
Youth 125cc
1: Challoner 111
2: Smage 99
3: Moret 88
2008 FIM Manufacturers Championship Current Standings:
1: Montesa 211
2: Gas Gas 150
3: Beta 132
4: Sherco 95
This round: 31st May/1st June Motegi, Japan
Next round: 22nd June. Maisse, France