Raga breaks Bou's winning streak
By G2F on 3rd Jun 07
Adam Raga Gas Gas was the man who brought Toni Bou Repsol Montesa HRC's winning streak to an end on the second day of competition in Japan. However, it was an exceptionally close affair, with just two marks separating winner Raga and Bou in second. Local hero Takahisa Fujinami Repsol Montesa HRC was again third, just as he was on the first day, delighting the local fans.
Once again, the weather was perfect for riding, with bright sunshine occasionally interrupted by patchy cloud. But the breeze from the first day returned, to everyone's relief.
The competition was even hotter than on day one, however. In contrast to the first day, there were four riders who broke away and ended the first lap with only three marks separating them. Raga and Bou were tied on nine marks, while Albert Cabestany Sherco was enjoying a return to form in third, just one mark behind and Fujinami was only two marks further back.
The four riders all dropped one five on the first lap; all but Fujinami failing the long climb in section two. Fuji cleaned that particular hazard, but then collected five marks on section four, which the others cleaned.
The second lap saw a demonstration ride from Raga, who didn't drop a single mark, to claim his first victory of the season to become the only rider other than Bou to win. Bou however recorded a pair of dabs in the tricky wooded sections and this dropped him back into second.
Lap two saw the battle for third develop between Fujinami and Cabestany. It looked as if it may go the Spaniard's way until his chain came off in section nine, which resulted in a five, to put him behind Fujinami. Then both he and Fujinami failed the climb in the final section, although the Japanese rider more spectacularly. He fell and was taken to the medical centre, but suffered no more than a dislocated finger, just like Dougie Lampkin Repsol Montesa HRC had done in the same place twenty four hours earlier.
In the Junior category, Michael Brown Beta took another victory, his second of the weekend after an incredibly close battle with Nicolas Gontard Gas Gas. The pair eventually finished just a single mark apart, two for Brown and three for Gontard. Alex Wigg Gas Gas was third, with all three having identical scores on the second lap.
The result in the Youth category had a familiar feel; it was identical to the first day, with Alfredo Gomez Gas Gas taking the win from Ross Danby Gas Gas. Filling the third step of the podium again was Alexis Cervantes Sherco.
Day 2 Results: (2 Day event)
World
1: Raga 9
2: Bou 11
3: Fujinami 18
Junior
1: Brown 2
2: Gontard 3
3: Wigg 11
125cc
1: Gomez 7
2: Danby 22
3: Cervantes 29
2007 Riders Championship
Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 117
2: Raga 103
3: Fujinami 88
Junior
1: Brown 115
2: Gontard 92
3: Wigg 90
125cc
1: Gomez 120
2: Danby 98
3: Cervantes 90
2007 Manufacturers Championship
Current Standings:
1: Montesa 209
2: Gas Gas 117
3: Sherco 97
4: Beta 89
5: Scorpa 50
This round: 2nd / 3rd June, Motegi, Japan
Next round: 1st July, Erba, Italy