Bou blasts to Barcelona X-Trial victory
By Team TMX on 3rd Feb 25
Repsol Honda’s Toni Bou dominated the X-Trial Barcelona to increase his lead in the championship to a massive 23 points with four rounds remaining. Sherco’s Adam Raga signed off his incredible career with second place on the night in his last X-Trial appearance. The podium was rounded out by Bou’s Honda teammate Gabriel Marcelli as championship contender Jaime Busto had a torrid night on his GASGAS, placing seventh in Q1 and being beaten by Raga in Q2 to miss out on a spot in the final.
After a troublesome Super Pole round that saw him place fourth, Bou bounced back when it mattered most, moved into the lead of the Trial in the second section of the final and then never came close to being challenged – ending with seven marks to Raga’s 20. The fight for second went down to the final section with Marcelli needing to repeat Bou’s clean ride to tie things up. Unfortunately, a dab meant that he fell one short of Raga’s total as Frenchman Benoit Bincaz secured fourth on his Sherco.
“It is incredible to win what is the best event in the world, in front of my home crowd; it’s always special to compete here. And especially riding the way I did in the Final, giving this win a special taste,” said Bou. “I am only sorry that my minder picked up an arm injury. For me, without wanting to think too much about the Championship, a third consecutive win is really valuable.”
Bou’s third win from four starts means he now has 75 championship points to Busto’s 52. The retired Adam Raga is third on 48 with Marcelli next on 36 – three ahead of Bincaz.
Beta’s Harry Hemingway finished eight on the night to pick up his second championship point of the year.
Scorpa’s Berta Abellan comfortably won the opening round of the Women’s World Trophy ahead of Czecg Denisa Pechakova (TRRS), and Andrea Sofia Rabino (Beta). Alice Minta made her Beta debut and placed fifth behind Montesa’s Naomi Monnier.
The second half of the X-Trial World Championship gets underway in Stavanger, Norway on February 8, alongside the second date on the FIM X-Trial Women’s Trophy calendar.
