Trials Torque: World in action for grand finale
By John Dickinson on 9th Sep 15
INTERNATIONAL trials is right in the middle of its busiest period with last weekends penultimate round of the 2015 Trials World Championship in Portugal being immediately followed by the final round this weekend at Teo, Spain.
The men are joined by the women who partake of the second round of their series over the two days.
Then next weekend the whole TWC circus remains in Spain, moving to Tarragona for the final women's round which is followed by the Women's Trial des Nations, with the season ending with the Men's TdN on Sunday!
Back to this weekend, Toni Bou gets to appreciate his ninth World Championship in front of his home fans but that doesn't mean that he won't be trying as the Repsol Montesa rider only turns up to win.
Likewise Adam Raga is under no pressure whatsoever as he is clear as the 2015 World vice champ.
These two will still fight for pride though and in Raga's case, unless he already has a secret cast iron contract in his pocket, he is making the strongest possible case for a factory ride next year.
Third place in the championship is still up for grabs, with Jeroni Fajardo favourite to complete the 2015 podium – but you can't ever discount veteran Albert Cabestany.
With points for both days on offer there will be plenty of nerves on show from these two who can both suffer when under pressure.
Being the last round of 2015 all 16 contenders will be looking to finish the season in style including James Dabill and the Vertigo team.
After a promising start to the year the results have stalled in recent events and the all-new Barcelona squad will be looking to regroup this weekend and see both Dibs and young Francesc Moret inside the top 10.
The World Cup class is still wide open after an exciting season that has not seen any one rider able to dominate.
Spanish youngster Miquel Gelabert has been most consistent and leads the series without actually having won a round so far. Britain's Iwan Roberts currently sits in fifth place in the series (see separate story).
Meanwhile, Jack Price has already won a round this year and is well capable of throwing a spanner in the works.
Dec Bullock has enjoyed a very steady World Cup season, consistently in the points while Billy Bolt remains his enigmatic self, equally capable of banging in a podium or finishing 15th.
The Women embark on their second round after a long,
long gap from the two-day opener in the Czech Republic back in April.
Reigning champ Emma Bristow currently leads the series on 37 points after Becky Cook had provided the opening day's surprise with a superb win and the two Brits hold first and second place.
They can expect a strong showing, though, from home girl Sandra Gomez who currently holds third place from tall German Ina Wilde and the irrepressible Donna Fox.
With the TdN to follow next weekend there are 26 women gunning for glory including Jess Bown, Chloe Richardson, Victoria Payne and Millie Ray making seven Brits in total.
