Raga prepares for European return
 After
the recent trips to America and Asia, the FIM 2006 Trial World
Championship returns to Europe this weekend, with the French
Grand Prix marking the start of a three round run. Situated
approximately three hundred kilometres South of the famous
city of Paris, the small and slightly less well-known town
of Chatre is the next stop on the global trial tour.
Reigning champion Adam Raga – Gas Gas begins the journey
from France, through Italy and onto Poland with a healthy
lead in the overall standings after a consistent showing at
the Japanese Grand Prix. Here he earned two second places
to record his best ever result in the land of the rising sun.
Incredibly Dougie Lampkin – Repsol Montesa HRC is the
only rider in the current top five who has not achieved a
victory in the series to date, but through some equally consistent
riding holds second in the championship behind Raga after
the first four rounds.
Behind this leading duo the competition is close with Antonio
Bou – Beta, Albert Cabestany – Sherco and the
recovering Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa HRC all
looking to find some more regular form as the series moves
past the halfway point and onward.
Junior class leader Michael Brown – Beta will also
be hoping for better things as he comes back closer to home,
his two third places at the last round having allowed Daniel
Oliveras – Gas Gas and Daniel Gibert – Montesa
to close in on him. Only two points separates these three
young riders.
With his main rival Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas absent in
Japan, the British rider forced to sit the last round out
to take school exams, French contender Loris Gubian –
Sherco will be seeking to use his home GP to further extend
his advantage in the 125cc category.
Boasting eighty-five entries the French event has the largest
starting line up of the 2006 season to date. With over half
of the riders competing in the Youth class this reinforces
the emerging and young talent that the series is now welcoming
to join its more established stars. The third round of the
European series will take place at the same venue on Saturday,
prior to Sunday’s main World trial.
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