RAGA BREAKS BOU’S WINNING STREAK ON DAY TWO IN JAPAN
 Adam
Raga – Gas Gas was the man who brought Toni Bou –
Repsol Montesa HRC’s winning streak to an end on the
second day of competition in Japan. However, it was an exceptionally
close affair, with just two marks separating winner Raga and
Bou in second. Local hero Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol
Montesa HRC was again third, just as he was on the first day,
delighting the local fans.
Once again, the weather was perfect for riding, with bright
sunshine occasionally interrupted by patchy cloud. But the
breeze from the first day returned, to everyone’s relief.
The competition was even hotter than on day one, however.
In contrast to the first day, there were four riders who broke
away and ended the first lap with only three marks separating
them. Raga and Bou were tied on nine marks, while Albert Cabestany
– Sherco was enjoying a return to form in third, just
one mark behind and Fujinami was only two marks further back.
The four riders all dropped one five on the first lap; all
but Fujinami failing the long climb in section two. Fuji cleaned
that particular hazard, but then collected five marks on section
four, which the others cleaned.
The second lap saw a demonstration ride from Raga, who didn’t
drop a single mark, to claim his first victory of the season
to become the only rider other than Bou to win. Bou however
recorded a pair of dabs in the tricky wooded sections and
this dropped him back into second.
Lap two saw the battle for third develop between Fujinami
and Cabestany. It looked as if it may go the Spaniard’s
way until his chain came off in section nine, which resulted
in a five, to put him behind Fujinami. Then both he and Fujinami
failed the climb in the final section, although the Japanese
rider more spectacularly. He fell and was taken to the medical
centre, but suffered no more than a dislocated finger, just
like Dougie Lampkin – Repsol Montesa HRC had done in
the same place twenty four hours earlier.
In the Junior category, Michael Brown – Beta took another
victory, his second of the weekend after an incredibly close
battle with Nicolas Gontard – Gas Gas. The pair eventually
finished just a single mark apart, two for Brown and three
for Gontard. Alex Wigg – Gas Gas was third, with all
three having identical scores on the second lap.
The result in the Youth category had a familiar feel; it
was identical to the first day, with Alfredo Gomez –
Gas Gas taking the win from Ross Danby – Gas Gas. Filling
the third step of the podium again was Alexis Cervantes –
Sherco.
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