Belgium calling for TrialGP - preview
By John Dickinson on 19th Jul 18
THIS weekend sees the second of the back-to-back FIM Trials World Championship rounds in France and Belgium. After the all-action multi-class event at Auron in the French Alps its off to Comblain au Pont in Belgium, which has hosted the TWC twice before.
The venue has been described as the Monaco of Trial with its proximity to the local bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Sections are set in nearby woodland with slippery rocks and steep climbs. Back in the main street, the final hazard high on the castle-topped embankment is something to be seen.
You can watch Saturdays Qualifying and Sundays trial while enjoying local beer, frites and mayo. After Frances major effort staging the Womens TrialGP and Trial2, Belgian gears down to hold just the sixth round of TrialGP and Trial2 plus the second and final round of the infant TrialE.
The usual 14 TrialGP contenders from a total entry of 46 gather to do battle with just one thought for the majority can they pull off the virtually impossible and topple the mighty Toni Bou and the Repsol Honda.
Gas Gas duo Jeroni Fajardo and Jaime Busto can boast one victory each over Bou but he is still red-hot favourite to land that record-setting twelfth World title.
James Dabill (Beta) will be looking to avenge his twelfth place in France that dropped The Dibsta to eighth in the series behind Japanese veteran Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda). Jack Price (Gas Gas), though, will be keen to keep chipping away at the top 10.
In Trial2 Britains Toby Martyn (Montesa) now sits just one point off the Championship lead after his brilliant victory in France. With Gas Gas mounted brothers Dan and Jack Peace Great Britain is super strong in this class.
Regular contender Hugo Jervis (TRS) will be joined by Oliver Smith (Gas Gas) in Belgium.
TrialE ought to see a fascinating rematch between Gas Gas ace Loris Gubian and Japanese veteran Kenichi Kuroyama on the prototype Yamaha. Gubian was hot favourite last Sunday in his home race but he blew his chance in the very first section.
Can Keni pull off a double victory or will Gubian storm back to take the title?
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