GREAT BRITAIN – BOU READY FOR HIS NEXT VICTORY?
After a three-week interlude the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship resumes pace as it lands in Fort William, Scotland for the sixth round of the series. Situated on the west side of the country, Fort William has a long association with Trial, with the Scottish Six Days Trial taking place in and around the town each May for the last one hundred years.
Reigning World Champion Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa arrives in Fort William with a clear eighteen-point lead over his nearest rival. Despite this the twenty-four year old Spaniard will approach the event with caution after experiencing the full wrath of the demanding Highland sections at last year’s two-day British GP. Initially showing great form by winning the first day’s competition, Bou was less effective in the Scottish hazards on the second day and he was forced to settle for third.
Compatriot Adam Raga – Gas Gas strengthened his second place position in the championship by recording a valuable runners-up spot at the Italian GP, something he will aim to repeat this weekend. In stark comparison Albert Cabestany – Sherco endured a frustrating time in Italy, which saw him record his worst result of the season, eventually finishing fifth. After crashing heavily and sustaining an ankle injury Cabestany, who is currently third in the series, will be keen to get his campaign back on track in Scotland.
Japan’s Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa currently sits fourth in the championship and after recording a podium finish in Italy the thirty-one year old veteran campaigner trails Cabestany by only two points. After going 3-1 at the UK event last year, Fujinami will travel to Fort William looking to capitalise on Cabestany’s injury and move up the standings.
Despite producing a determined performance at the first day of the French GP, which saw him finish second, Jeroni Fajardo – Ossa has experienced a frustrating season so far. Lying in fifth place some eleven points adrift of Fujinami, Fajardo must find his form amongst the Highland hazards if he is to fight for a top four finish in the championship. Sixth placed James Dabill – Beta will look to use home support to his advantage as he continues his campaign to break into the top five in the general standings.
Further down the World Pro class Loris Gubian – Gas Gas holds seventh place whilst Jack Challoner – Beta, Michael Brown – Gas Gas and Matteo Grattarola – Gas Gas are placed eighth, ninth and tenth respectively. With only eight points separating these four young protagonists there is still much to fight for.
In the Junior category Spain’s Alfredo Gomez – Montesa continues to sit at the top of the table, currently holding a healthy seventeen-point lead over countryman Francesc Moret – Montesa. Despite this Gomez has slipped from the top step of the rostrum at the previous two rounds of the series with Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco taking top honours on both occasions. This is something that Alfredo will aim to resolve in Scotland.
In the competitive Youth class Jack Sheppard – Beta will arrive at his home GP with a slender eight-point advantage over second placed Cedric Tempier – Sherco. Continuing to struggle with a longstanding wrist injury Sheppard needs to find his winning form if he is to keep Tempier at bay.