Bou Crowned World Trials Champion For Sixth Time
By TMX Archives on 9th Jul 12
Toni Bou claimed his sixth consecutive FIM Trial World Championship with one round still remaining, in Italy at the weekend. Adding to the six FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Championships he already holds, the Repsol Montesa rider took the title with one round remaining in the series, the GP of Britain in two week's time.
Bou turned the tables on Sherco's early convincing leader Albert Cabestany (who would eventually finish third after a disastrous second lap) to grab his sixth crown. Bou's team mate Takahisa Fujinami also rode his way back into contention during the latter stages to steal the runners-up position and claim Montesa its 15th manufacturer's world title.
Cabestany's third place moved him level with Jeroni Fajardo who could only manage sixth spot in Italy. Indeed it's these two riders, plus Gas Gas pilot Adam Raga will fight it out for second place in the championship in Great Britain later this month.
Britain's James Dabill was another rider along with Cabestany who faltered after a strong second lap but he still finished a strong fifth. Fellow Brits Michael Brown and Jack Challoner duked it out for top ten positions with Brown just edging Challoner out for ninth and tenth.
Belgium's Maxime Warenghien took the Junior class win, defeating Jorge Casales to claim his first win at this level. Benoit Dagnicourt completed the podium on a day when his compatriot Alexandre Ferrer made his debut in the World Pro class having already won the Junior title at the previous round. Pol Tarres and Francesc Moret are tied in second place in the championship standings with one round remaining after they finished fifth and fourth respectively. Jack Sheppard had a poor first lap before clawing back on his second tour to claim seventh.
Francesco Cabrini took his maiden Youth victory at his home GP as he finished four marks clear of Britain's Bradley Cox. Newly crowned FIM Youth Trial World Champion Steve Coquelin sealed his title by claiming the final podium place. Cox remains second in the general standings as he heads to his home round in two weeks time. Britain's Luke Walker was sixth
Toni Bou said after the event: "To win the title again makes me very happy and to have achieved it with a new victory and a new title for Montesa makes it even more satisfactory. The year is going fantastically, with lots of victories that reward our hard work. Six titles in the outdoor world championship and another six in indoor... at this moment, I'm not thinking about where we can get to, just enjoying this intense moment. Today's not been a difficult day, because although the leg injury is still affecting me, the final has been insuperable, both for the team and me. There's nothing more I could ask for”.
Standing Italy G.P. 1.Toni Bou (Montesa) 30 (18+12) 2. Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa) 32 (21+11) 3. Albert Cabestany (Sherco) 33 (6+27) 4. Adam Raga (Gas Gas) 46 (26+20) 5. James Dabill (Beta) 50 (21+29)
World Championship 1. Toni Bou (Montesa) 210 points 2. Albert Cabestany (Sherco) 160 3. Jeroni Fajardo (Beta) 160 4. Adam Raga (Gas Gas) 155 5. Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa) 147
Standing Manufacturers Championship (one round remaining) 1. Montesa 357 points 2. Beta 269 3. Gas Gas 244
Full race report in TMX later this week and more info on the World Trial of Great Britain visit www.britishtrialgp.com
