Raga takes his second outdoor title
 Adam
Raga – Gas Gas today claimed his second successive World
outdoor title to add to his four indoor titles with a victory
in the closing round of the 2006 championship at the famous
motor racing circuit of Spa Francorchamps in Belgium. Albert
Cabestany – Sherco finished second with Antonio Bou
– Beta in third.
Despite having a commanding lead in the championship it was
not to be an easy final victory today for Raga with Cabestany
determined to win the battle between himself and Dougie Lampkin
– Repsol Montesa HRC for third place in the final standings.
Both Raga and Cabestany finished the event tied on twenty
eight marks apiece, however the normal method of deciding
the winner in the event of a tie was not possible with both
having nineteen cleans, four one’s, three two’s,
one three and three fives.
In this most unlikely of situations the victor is decided
by the rider who finished the two laps in the shortest time
with Raga coming out on top, having completed the course in
five minutes less than Cabestany.
Despite a recent resurgence following illness during the
early part of the season, Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol
Montesa HRC could not maintain his run, finishing in fourth
place. This was, however sufficient to guarantee him second
place in the final championship standings. Cabestany’s
win at the previous round in Andorra followed by his second
place today ensured he will be wearing the number three bib
next season.
In the Junior Championship – Daniel Gibert –
Montesa, guaranteed himself the Junior World title with his
fourth win of the season. This championship has been a three
horse race all season with Gibert, Daniel Oliveras –
Gas Gas and Michael Brown – Beta all occupying the podium
at every event. In the end it was Gibert that prevailed with
Oliveras finishing second and Brown in third.
The Youth championship saw Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas take
a narrow “most cleans” victory over Loris Gubian
– Sherco with Benjamin Liotaud – Sherco finishing
third. This was sufficient to see Wigg take the 2006 Youth
title with Gubian in runner-up position and Matteo Grattarola
– Sherco finishing third. Wigg also won the Series sponsor
“SPEA Youth Hopeful Trophy”.
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