BOU IS THE NEW CHAMPION AS ANDORRA BECOMES THE FINAL GP
The traditional month long summer break has seen Toni Bou
– Repsol Montesa HRC crowned as the 2007 FIM SPEA Trial
World Champion, when the series sadly lost what should have
been the final Grand Prix of this year’s campaign. Following
the Belgian organisers’ late decision to cancel their
round, Andorra this coming weekend has now become the last
counting event in the 2007 championship.
Bou leads Adam Raga – Gas Gas by twenty points and
can not be overtaken in the overall standings even if he did
not score this weekend, as he would still take the crown on
most round wins. This is an historic moment for the young
Spanish rider, as not only is it his first World outdoor title,
but it is also the first time a four stroke machine has won
the championship since Eddy Lejeune did for Honda back in
1984.
The first three positions in the championship are already
decided with Raga safe as vice champion and Takahisa Fujinami
– Repsol Montesa HRC confirmed as World number three,
as both riders slip one place down the order compared to twelve
months ago.
However behind them the battles remain as Dougie Lampkin
– Repsol Montesa HRC seeks to overhaul Albert Cabestany
– Sherco for fourth place, and James Dabill –
Montesa has a similar chance to move ahead of Jeroni Fajardo
– Beta. Potentially Marc Freixa – Scorpa could
create the biggest shock, as he currently lies in eighth spot,
but just eight points off sixth place, which would be a great
result for him considering his start to the season.
With Michael Brown – Beta already confirmed as World
Junior Champion, he will move up to ride in the main class
in Andorra in order to gain some experience for a full assault
in the top category in 2008. Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas would
appear to hold a safe second place, which would be a great
reward for his efforts aboard a 125, but with the worst two
rounds being dropped, Nicolas Gontard – Gas Gas remains
a threat.
There is a similar story in the Youth category, with Alfredo
Gomez – Gas Gas having already claimed this title with
one round to spare. British rider Ross Danby – Gas Gas
and Alexis Cervantes – Sherco from France have the honour
of fighting it out for second and third places respectively.
Whilst this year’s trial will start lower down the
mountain at Sant Julia de Loria, Andorra remains the highest
venue on the tour with the paddock at over 1500 metres above
sea level and the top section on the course being located
at an-oxygen lacking 2000 metres.
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