Raga takes first blood on opening day FIM Trials World Championship in France
Adam Raga – Gas Gas confirmed his intention to take the fight to reigning champion Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa when he recorded an important win on the opening day of the 2012 FIM Trial World Championship at the French Grand Prix. Raga carved out a slim and single mark advantage over Bou on the first lap and extended that to two marks come the finish to gain the initial lead in the series standings following a totally uncharacteristic five from Bou in section two on the second lap. Albert Cabestany – Sherco produced two consistent lap scores, although a little off the pace of the two front-runners, to claim third place and to make it an all-Spanish podium.
Cabestany’s rostrum result came as he beat his compatriot Jeroni Fajardo – Beta on a most cleans tie break, Cabestany having had recorded three more than Fajardo over the two laps. Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa completed the top five on a hot and sunny day, but the Japanese former champion was far from happy with his riding as he struggled to find a bike setting to give him the confidence that he needed in the technical hazards. British riders filled the next two positions with James Dabill – Beta winning his battle with Jack Challoner – Beta, as this duo occupied sixth and seventh places respectively.
Bou plays second fiddle to Raga on day one in France
Matteo Grattarola – Gas Gas was the highest placed Italian rider on forty-nine marks, this being the same score as Michael Brown – Gas Gas, however the British protagonist was to lose out on the tie break and have to settle for ninth spot to open his 2012 account. Daniel Oliveras – Ossa was the last rider to make into the top ten, as France’s great hope of home success – Loris Gubian – Gas Gas endured a terrible day to end up down in eleventh position after an error filled first lap. One of the best performances of the day was by seventeen year- old Eddie Karlsson – Gas Gas who placed an incredible twelfth on his very first outing in the World Pro class after moving up to the elite category direct from the Youth division.
Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco did his bit to offset Gubian’s poor showing, and gave the home fans plenty to cheer about as he romped to a comfortable victory in the Junior class. Ferrer led from start to finish and delivered a faultless second lap to make himself the instant favourite to lift this title later in the season. The battle behind Ferrer was fierce, as Spanish compatriots Pol Tarres – JotaGas and Francesc Moret – Montesa fought it out for the runners up spot. Moret was the eventual victor in this duel as he beat Tarres by a single clean after the pair had tied on sixteen marks apiece. Cedric Tempier – Sherco and Jack Sheppard – Beta took fourth and fifth places respectively.
France also had home success in the Youth class with Steven Coquelin – Gas Gas finishing four marks clear of Britain’s Bradley Cox – Beta, who in turn defeated Oriol Noguera – Sherco from Spain by the same margin. Francesco Cabrini – Beta from Italy and Quentin Carles De Caudemberg – Beta from France rounded out the top five in this category respectively, as the Italian rider missed out on a podium place as he was another victim and loser of a most cleans tie-decider .
The second day of the French Trial GP will take place at the same venue in La Bresse tomorrow, with potential rain forecast, which could drastically change conditions out on the course.
Results: