GERMANY – BOU TAKES HIS FIRST WIN OF NEW SEASON
Tony Bou
The 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship got underway with a superb opening Grand Prix in Gefrees, Germany that was won by reigning SPEA FIM Trial World Champion Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa. Although Bou was the victor once again, his route to the top of the podium was far from easy, in what proved to be a difficult Trial after rain on Saturday night drastically changed conditions out on the course.
In front of several thousand German fans Albert Cabestany – Sherco fought hard all day long, after an initial electrical problem had cost him an hour of valuable time at the start of the competition, to finish as runner up on the day. Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa completed the podium and came close to snatching second place as he rode himself back into contention, thanks to a stunning second lap, that was the best of the Trial.
Adam Raga – Gas Gas and Jeroni Fajardo – Ossa gained fourth and fifth places respectively as both produced far better closing laps as conditions out on the course became drier, when the light rain that had been present in the morning finally disappeared. The Spanish duo were the last two riders on anything like winning pace, as James Dabill – Beta finished some twenty-seven marks behind Fajardo and down in sixth spot.
The high scoring theme continued with Matteo Grattarola – Gas Gas, Michael Brown – Gas Gas and Dougie Lampkin – Gas Gas being the final three riders with totals under one hundred marks, as the rain made the sections ultra slippery on the opening lap. Lampkin, who sustained an ankle injury at the Scottish Six Days Trial just a week ago was forced to take several fives in order to not damage his ankle further.
Having finished second in the Junior class last year, Alfredo Gomez – Montesa confirmed his intent to go one better this season, as he opened his 2011 campaign with a solid win. Gomez’s winning margin was ten marks over Francesc Moret – Montesa, and perhaps could have been more if he had not made unforced errors on his last lap. Pere Borrellas – Gas Gas was the third part of a Spanish rostrum lock out, as he demoted class newcomer Pol Tarres – Gas Gas into fourth place by a single mark.
It was a similar story in the Youth category, as 2010 vice World champion Jack Sheppard – Beta started his title assault with a convincing victory in conditions that seemed to suit the British rider. Despite winning the European event twenty four hours earlier, Cedric Tempier – Sherco was well defeated on the day, however still managed to finish ahead of third placed Giacomo Saleri – Beta as the battle of the younger stars got underway.
A total of sixty-three riders across the three classes confirmed the healthy state of the series, which will continue at pace as the second round of the championship takes place over two days in France next weekend.
Round 1
Gefrees – Germany
15 May – 1 Day Event (Day1)
Results:
World
1: Bou 32
2: Cabestany 42
3: Fujinami 43
4: Raga 50
5: Fajardo 58
Junior
1: Gomez 37
2: Moret 47
3: Borrellas 55
4: Tarres 56
5: Dagnicourt 70
Youth 125cc
1: Sheppard 31
2: Tempier 45
3: Saleri 51
4: Karlsson 64
5: Coquelin 66