SPANISH GRAND PRIX OPENS 2007 SEASON
 The
Spanish Grand Prix this coming weekend marks the start of
the 2007 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship, with the town
of Mancha Real, which is situated approximately one and half
hours North East of Malaga, having the honour of hosting the
initial round. Beginning in early April and ending in late
September, the series will visit no less than ten countries
as it makes its way from South America to Japan, with some
European stop offs in between.
Events over the winter months would suggest that the battle
to be King will be as fierce as ever, with the younger riders
looking to use their pure talent to defeat the experience
of the more established names on the circuit. Reigning outdoor
World Champion Adam Raga – Gas Gas has already lost
his indoor crown in the early part of this year, and will
be in no mood to surrender the second title without a fight,
especially as it is a Spanish compatriot who is the most likely
to inflict further injury to Raga’s short reign.
Antonio Bou’s move to the Repsol Montesa HRC squad
has been the story of the season so far. Whilst many predicted
his move to the four stroke as being potentially career threatening,
the twenty year old has silenced his critics by taking his
first ever World title in the initial three months of his
new contract. Looking at his recent indoor form Bou must be
favourite to take the outdoor championship too, however the
pressure of expectation could just be his biggest enemy.
To suggest that the series will be a two rider duel between
Raga and Bou, would be disrespectful to Takahisa Fujinami
and Dougie Lampkin – as both Repsol Montesa HRC riders
are former World champions, not to mention Albert Cabestany
– Sherco who finished third last season. 2007 could
just be Cabestany’s year, as to date he has under performed
for a rider who is so richly talented.
With the top two ranked riders from last year having moved
up to the World Pro class, World Junior number three in the
form of Michael Brown – Beta must feel positive about
his chance of lifting the title in this category in 2007.
However Brown is sure not to have it all his own way with
the arrival of the leading pair from the 2006 Youth series.
Both Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas and Loris Gubian – Sherco
will be looking to make an immediate impact amongst their
more senior rivals.
All three riders who were listed at the top of the 2006 Youth
standings have shifted to the Junior class for 2007, leaving
the new edition of the 125 championship wide open. A whole
host of new names have joined this entry level category, so
it just might be a previously unknown rider who steals the
limelight from Ross Danby – Gas Gas and Alfredo Gomez
– Gas Gas, who will both fancy their title chances.
|
