Raga leads with a dominant victory in Marseille
By TMX Archives on 27th Jan 07
Adam Raga becomes the new leader at FIM Indoor Trial World Championship 2007 after taking a clear win at French GP held this night at Palais des Sports in Marseille.
The Spanish dominated from the beginning on until the end to clinch his first victory of the season and overtake Toni Bou by just one point at championship standings. Raga's win was unchallenged by any of his rivals in the final, Albert Cabestany and Dougie Lampkin, who took his first podium of the year although the Briton lost very early the battle for the first place in France.
Leader Toni Bou suffered his worst nightmare in Marseille when the brakes of his Cota 4 stroke broke and his chances to fight for podium places disappeared. Although Repsol Montesa-HRC rider repaired the mechanical problem he consumed seconds of gold. The nerves and the pressure forced him to make two big mistakes that ruined the night in France. Finally the Spanish rider also run out the fourth place when Jeroni Fajardo defeated him on double section.
Raga controlled the qualification lap, losing only one penalty point after first seven observed sections and closed the performance beating Cabestany on the double line. Sherco rider overcame a dangerous five on section 2 and managed the pressure to finish the circuit with five clean hazards in a row.
Dougie Lampkin passed the first lap for first time in this season and played a thrilling face to face against his team-mate Takahisa Fujinami. The ticket for the second lap was decided on final race between two Repsol Montesa-HRC riders and the Briton took advantage from Fujigas' fault.
French riders Jerome Bethune and young Loris Gubian, who made his debut at FITWC, took last places in standings. Indoor World Series take the trip to Barcelona where next Sunday 4th February, at Palau Sant Jordi, fourth round in calendar will be contested.
Adam Raga: `After last two races I felt a little bit disappointed and lost the confidence. But I've climbed again on top of the podium and now I'm the new leader, I feel very motivated for coming events. For sure with Bou at final lap the fight for the win should have been harder´.
Albert Cabestany: `Taking another podium place is very important for me. I'm very sorry for Bou's bad luck. Anyway he had the chance to finish his performance, in my case I was forced to retire in Granada due to a mechanical problem ´.
Dougie Lampkin: `I'm quite satisfied with my first podium of the season, after some chances lost in previous races. On qualification lap I rode consistantly, but I cannot be happy about my riding on final lap because I failed too much´.
GP of France-Marseille Round 3/9
Qualifiction Lap
Adam Raga 1 penalty point
Albert Cabestany 6
Dougie Lampkin 7
Takahisa Fujinami 8
Jeroni Fajardo 11
Toni Bou 12
Jerome Bethune 27
Loris Gubian 29
Final
Adam Raga 3 penalty points
Albert Cabestany 6
Dougie Lampkin 21
FIM Indoor Trial World Championship 2007
Provisional Standings
1. Adam Raga 24 points
2. Toni Bou 23
3. Albert Cabestany 19
4. Dougie Lampkin 15
5. Takahisa Fujinami 14
6. Jeroni Fajardo 13
7. Tadeusz Blazusiak 4
8. Jerome Bethune 2
9. Loris Gubian 1