GUATEMALA MARKS A SPECIAL MOMENT
This coming weekend marks a special moment for the top level
of the sport, as it visits South America for the first time
since the series started back in 1975. The Grand Prix of Guatemala
is the second stop on the 2007 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship,
and will feature two important days of competition. The long
trip South is an adventure into the unknown for all the riders
and teams, with everyone hoping that the contents of their
carefully packed flight cases will be at the heart of their
success. Guatemala is one of two overseas rounds in the 2007
calendar, the other being the fourth event in the series to
be held in Japan in early June, again this will feature a
two day trial.
Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa HRC will arrive in La Antigua
with the championship lead, thanks to his victory at the first
Grand Prix in Spain. Whilst Bou will be looking to increase
his advantage in the overall standings, fierce rival Adam
Raga – Gas Gas will be doing his best to record his
first outdoor win of the season to keep in contact with Toni.
The young Spanish duo can expect a strong challenge from a
trio of chasing heavy weights, which is sure to include Dougie
Lampkin – Repsol Montesa HRC, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol
Montesa HRC, and Albert Cabestany – Sherco, who filled
the remainder of the top five positions at the opening GP.
James Dabill – Montesa recorded his worst results of
the season at the two fly away rounds in 2006, but after having
placed sixth in Mancha Real, the reigning European champion
will be expecting a better return from his long haul travel
this year.
In the Junior championship, it is British rider Michael Brown
– Beta who will make the long journey with the pressure
of being the man to beat resting on his shoulders. Brown was
in a class of his own in Spain, and will be hoping to produce
a similar performance in Guatemala to really reinforce his
title assault. French competitor Nicolas Gontard – Gas
Gas is Brown’s nearest challenger having finished as
runner up at round one, and could just prove to be the main
threat to Michael as the series progresses. 2006 World Youth
champion Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas confirmed his arrival
in the Junior category, a year earlier than necessary with
a fighting third spot at his initial attempt. Although restricted
to a 125 due to his age, Wigg has the potential to be a round
winner in the right conditions, and thus will be hoping that
Guatemala will give him sections to suit his smaller capacity
bike.
Competition amongst the Youth riders is equally fierce, with
no one in the paddock prepared to pick a champion elect at
this early stage of the season. Alfredo Gomez – Gas
Gas took first blood at the very wet Spanish round, and will
be going all out to stretch his lead over his French rival
Alexis Cervantes – Sherco who followed him home at the
opening Grand Prix. Ross Danby – Gas Gas made a good
start to his campaign by taking the final podium place at
round one, a result he will want to better on his visit to
South America.
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