Spain barrier
By G2F on 13th Sep 13
For the fifth year in a row the British Mens Trial des Nations teamsters were forced to play second fiddle to the might of the Spanish.
Toni Bou and his compatriots totally destroyed the opposition at this year's event, staged at La Chatre, in France.
Bou was joined by Adam Raga, Jeroni Fajardo and Albert Cabestany, who are currently ranked the top four riders in the world, as the Spain team recorded their tenth straight win a row.
Their winning margin of 89 marks confirmed the Spanish team's sheer supremacy over the two laps of 18 sections, mainly based along a disused railway embankment.
Headed by British Champion and world No.6 James Dabill, Great Britain were never in the hunt for victory.
They were therefore focused on ensuring that they at least came home as runners-up to match their more recent performances in this end-of-season team competition.
TdN regulars Michael Brown and Jack Challoner lined-up beside Dabill and welcomed Jack Sheppard to their ranks, as the Suffolk teenager made his debut in terms of representing his country.
Rain throughout the weekend, but not actually during Sunday's main competition, did little to impact the moisture-starved soil that linked the mixture of natural and carefully placed boulders which formed the majority of the hazards.
While the venue was last used as part of the FIM Trial World Championship back in 2006 – the setting for Dougie Lampkin's last-ever GP win – the venue provided a suitable test for the 22 countries, split over the two classes.
The French squad of Loris Gubian, Alexandre Ferrer, Steven Coquelin and Cedric Tempier were always going to pose a threat to the British team on home soil and pushed the 2003 TdN winners hard throughout the day, while never actually heading them.
Section four proved the first decisive test of the day, with the jumble of greasy boulders taking marks from all but the Spanish.
This hazard was to set the tone for the trial with Spain remaining unpenalised, whilst the Brits notched up five marks for their best three counting rides – considerably better than the French effort which included a trio of fives.
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE TMX SEPTEMBER 13
TRIAL des NATIONS
La Chatre, FRANCE
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP
1 SPAIN – 38
Toni Bou (Montesa), Albert Cabestany (Sherco), Jeroni Fajardo (Beta), Adam Raga (Gas Gas).
2 GREAT BRITAIN – 127
Michael Brown (Gas Gas), Jack Challoner (Beta), James Dabill (Beta), Jack Sheppard (Beta).
3 FRANCE – 141
Steven Coquelin (Gas Gas), Loris Gubian (Gas Gas), Cedric Tempier (Sherco), Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco).
4 ITALY – 199
Matteo Grattarola (Gas Gas), Francesco Iolitta (Montesa), Daniele Maurino (Ossa), Matteo Poli (Ossa).
5 NORWAY – 383
Ib Andersen (Gas Gas), Kristoffer Leirvaag, Ivar Norum (Beta), Hakon Pedersen (Sherco).
