Italian Grand Prix
By TMX Archives on 25th Jun 07
After a short break, the 2007 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship resumes with both importance and pace, with the riders faced with the task of three Grand Prix over the next three-week period. Italy, this weekend coming, is the first stop on what is a critical moment for the series, as after these three rounds the main challengers for the three titles on offer must be in a strong position if they are to taste glory come late September.
The town of Erba, which sits just north of the famous city of Milan, has thegreat honour of hosting the 2007 Italian GP. Italy is always a populardestination on the tour, with few places offering such a passionate welcome,fantastic colour and delicious food.
Whilst Toni Bou RepsolMontesa HRC will arrive in Erba with a clear championship lead, he should notassume that he will take the victory in Italy without a fight from his Japaneseteam mate. Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa HRC has made the Italian GPhis own in more recent years, with five successive wins since 2002, and will belooking to repeat his victory again this time around.
Adam Raga Gas Gas holds the unique title of being the only rider to defeat Bou outdoorsthis season, his win on the second day of the Japanese Grand Prix bringing to anend Bou's 100% run. Raga must search for another victory in Italy if he is tomount a serious assault on the title, further ground lost to Toni at this stageof the campaign could reduce him to being vice champion earlier than he wouldhope.
Dougie Lampkin - Repsol Montesa HRC, Albert Cabestany Sherco, Jeroni Fajardo Beta complete the current top six, and all will belooking for better form this time out if they are to improve their own positionsin the overall standings.
Michael Brown Beta is beginning todominate the Junior championship table and will increase his advantage over bothNicolas Gontard Gas Gas and Alexz Wigg Gas Gas if he canmanage to clinch his sixth win of the year.
Alfredo Gomez GasGas remains undefeated in the Youth category, and to date looks to continue todo so on route to what will be an impressive first World title for the youngSpanish rider. Ross Danby Gas Gas and Alexis Cervantes Shercohave got work to do if they are to prevent a Gomez whitewash.
The Italianevent will also host a European round on the day prior to the World trial. FromItaly, the championship will then visit Poland and then the Czech Republic overthe next two weeks.
Past winners
GP Italy
1994 - Diego Bosis
1995 - JordiTarres
1996 - Marc Colomer
1997 - Dougie Lampkin
1999 - DougieLampkin
2000 - Albert Cabestany
2001 - Dougie Lampkin
2002 - TakahisaFujinami
2003 - Takahisa Fujinami
2004 - Takahisa Fujinami
2005 -Takahisa Fujinami
2006 - Takahisa Fujinami
2007 Riders Championship
Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 117
2: Raga 103
3:Fujinami 88
Junior
1: Brown 115
2: Gontard 92
3: Wigg90
125cc
1: Gomez 120
2: Danby 98
3: Cervantes90
2007 Manufacturers Championship
Current Standings:
1:Montesa 209
2: Gas Gas 117
3: Sherco 97
4: Beta 89
5: Scorpa50
This round: 1st July Erba, Italy
Next round: 8thJuly Myslenice, Poland