Germany calling Dibs for X-Trial
By TMX Archives on 22nd Mar 13
TONI Bou, along with his rivals for the 2013 World X-Trial champs, travels to Bielefeld in Germany this weekend for the fourth round of the series - and by the end of the night he could be crowned King Toni 7!
The Repsol Montesa rider, who has already clocked-up a record six consecutive World Indoor Trials titles, leads current second placeman, Sherco's Albert Cabestany, by 24 points and unless Cabes can pin back Bou's lead to under 20 points before the final round in Nice, France, then Bou is home and dry..
Bou is currently riding sublimely and his winning margin in the previous round at Malaga was a massive 21 marks - so his rivals have a lot of ground to make up just to get close,
This is surprisingly Germany's first Indoor Trials Championship round since 2004 when Koblenz was the venue and the organisers will be going all out to make an impression.
Britain's James Dabill gets a deserved wild card ride in Bielefeld and this is his first outing in the series since he finished fourth at the opening round in Sheffield.
The factory Beta rider is easily capable of making it to the final and on his day could really upset the series regulars and make it onto the podium.
James certainly has a point to prove having missed out on a guaranteed ride in this yar's series despite being one of the few riders in the world capable of riding extreme indoor hazards.
With Bou way out ahead in the points standings the battle is for the minor placings and veteran Cabestany is currently favourite to end the series as vice champion.
The Sherco rider, while 24 points behind Bou, holds a seven point advantage over third placed Takahisa Fujinami.
The long time Japanese crowd favourite has been riding better than ever Indoors this year.
Fujigas has always preferred to entertain the crowd rather than go for glory but this year he has managed to do both!
Said Fuji, "I am currently training three days a week for the new no-stop outdoor rules.
"If I make it to the podium again this Saturday I will be very happy although my first goal is to have fun and to share that with my German fans too.”
The surprise of the series has been the poor form of Gas Gas number one Adam raga who currently languishes in fourth place although just a single point behind Fujinami. He is also in turn just a single point ahead of Jeroni Fajardo and the Beta factory star has also failed to shine.
With only this event plus the final round in Nice to go they need to make their move NOW.
Also hoping for a result is Britain's Jack Challoner who is coming to the end of his guaranteed X-Trial rides.
