Repsol Honda’s Toni Bou has been an unstoppable force once again in the FIM Trial World Championship this season, and Bou won again today, leading a Spanish sweep of the top four spots during the Belgian GP in Comblain-au-Pont, Belgium.
Bou landed his eighth win of the 11 events this season. He was more than up to the task on a lengthy course that featured some very technical sections that tested the talents of the world’s best trials riders. He didn’t get off to the best of starts after falling on the first loop and aggravating the still-tender shoulder injury that he has been nursing throughout the year, but he dealt with the pain and completed the first loop in fourth place.
However, things went better for Bou on the second and third loops, and he held strong while his competitors faltered to win the event by posting a 45-point total, 10 fewer than main title rival Adam Raga of the TRS Factory Team. Factory Sherco rider Albert Cabestany also tallied 55 points but ended up third, behind Raga, on tiebreakers. Jeroni Fajardo, also of Spain, finished fourth.
The win increased Bou’s lead in the FIM Trial World Championship series points standings to 23 points over Raga, 209-186. Bou’s teammate, Takahisa Fujinami of Japan, fifth at the Belgian round, is third with 147 points.
“I was able to settle the race in my favor at the end of the second lap, but the riding wasn’t up to much as I wasn’t feeling too good on the first lap,” Bou said. “I had injured my shoulder during training, and in spite of not feeling right, I was able to make it through. I’m very pleased with the result, but I will have to work hard to get the shoulder in shape for the trial in England next week.”
The FIM Trial World Championship resumes Saturday, July 16, with the Great British Grand Prix in Tong, Great Britain.
2016 FIM Trial World Championship
Belgian GP
Comblain-au-Pont, Belgium
Results: July 10, 2016
Overall
1. Toni Bou (ESP)-Mon/45
2. Adam Raga (ESP)-TRS/55
3. Albert Cabestany (ESP)-She/55
4. Jeroni Fajardo (ESP)-Ver/60
5. Takahisa Fujinami (JPN)-Mon/61
6. Jaime Busto (ESP)-Mon/68
7. James Dabill (GBR)-Ver/77
8. Eddie Karlsson (SWE)-Mon/89
9. Alexandre Ferrer (FRA)-She/98
10. Miquel Gilabert (SPA)-She/104
2016 FIM Trial World Championship Series Points Standings (after 11 events)
1. Toni Bou-209
2. Adam Raga-186
3. Takahisa Fujinami-147
4. Jaime Busto-129
5. Albert Cabestany-127
6. Jeroni Fajardo-120
7. James Dabill-107
8. Jorge Casales-67
9. Matteo Grattarola-60
10. Franz Kadlec-52
Your Privacy Choices