THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS THE NEXT STOP ON THE RAPID TOUR
With their engines having barely had time to cool following
the Polish event, the riders will now be on route to the Czech
Republic ready for this weekend’s Grand Prix, which
will mark the seventh stop on the current tour. The 2007 FIM
SPEA Trial World Championship is about to end its most intense
period, with it having enjoyed three rounds in as many weeks,
before it finishes the month of July with yet another competition,
this time in Great Britain. August is the traditional rest
month for the series, before the finale in September that
will include visits to both Andorra and Belgium before the
title is decided.
After an absence of five years, top-level trials will return
to the Czech Republic with Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa
HRC clearly in control of the championship having won all
but one day of the counting competitions. Bou’s most
recent victory at the damp and slippery Polish event proves
that the youngster is now capable of winning in all conditions,
with his successes no longer restricted to the dry rocks of
his native land. Adam Raga – Gas Gas has also made great
progress in terms of becoming an all round rider, but has
not yet found the form to tame the champion elect during this
season.
Bou currently heads Raga by a comfortable twenty points,
with this leading duo having now stretched their own advantage
over the other contenders. The fight for third place in the
championship remains between Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa
HRC, his team mate Dougie Lampkin and Albert Cabestany –
Sherco. All three must raise their game if they are to make
an impact on the two front runners with just four rounds remaining.
Michael Brown – Beta may have tasted defeat in Poland,
but the young British rider still occupies the top position
in the Junior standings by a clear margin. Brown’s nearest
challenger remains his compatriot, Alexz Wigg- Gas Gas who
has been the sensation of this class, with him being mounted
on a 125 after having moved up to this category a year early.
French rider Nicolas Gontard – Gas Gas continues to
hold third spot in the series at this point in the season.
Rocked by his shocked defeat by new comer Patrick Smage –
Sherco in Italy, Alfredo Gomez – Gas Gas returned to
his winning ways in Poland to further extend his lead in the
Youth class general standings. Ross Danby – Gas Gas
is in desperate need of a win if he is to stop Gomez taking
the title, and if he is to fight off the attention of Alexis
Cervantes – Sherco. Cervantes now sits just six points
behind Danby in the young title race.
The Kramolin venue will also host a Women’s World championship
event. the day prior to the men’s main trial.
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