FIM SPEA Trial World Championship 2007
Round 2 France
FRENCH GP MARKS A BRIEF RETURN TO EUROPE
 Just
a few weeks after the FIM SPEA Trial World Championship visited
South America for the very first time, the series will make
a brief return to Europe for the French Grand Prix this coming
weekend, before leaving for distant shores once again. Senez,
a small French town one hundred and fifty kilometres to the
East of the city of Marseille, will welcome the riders for
the third round of the 2007 championship, for what will only
be a quick visit before they head far further East for the
Japanese GP that will take place the following weekend.
For the World pro riders there is one main man to beat, his
name is Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa HRC. With three wins
in the first three days of competition, he is sure to be confident
of maintaining his 100% record in France. Currently reigning
World champion Adam Raga – Gas Gas is his closest rival,
but to date he has been unable to find the form to topple
the dominant Bou. The Repsol Montesa HRC pairing of Takahisa
Fujinami and Dougie Lampkin will continue to provide a strong
threat to their Spanish team mate, with Lampkin no doubt looking
to repeat the victory he recorded in France last year to give
him his 100th World win.
Two British riders sit at the top of the World Junior standings,
with current series leader Michael Brown – Beta and
close challenger Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas having notched
up one win a piece in Guatemala. Brown’s trip to South
America was not without incident, when his own bike was lost
in transit, forcing him to borrow an older machine.
Reigning Youth champion Wigg has been the sensation of the
season so far, having moved to the Junior ranks a year early,
he is restricted by his age to a 125cc bike, but this has
not stopped him being a real force to his rivals. One older
rider who can vouch for this is Nicolas Gontard – Gas
Gas, who holds third place in the Junior championship, and
who will be hoping for a good showing at his home GP.
Like his Spanish counterpart, Toni Bou, Youth rider Alfredo
Gomez – Gas Gas will be looking to extend his unbeaten
run, having won all three of the counting competitions to
date. Gomez holds an eleven point advantage over his nearest
challenger Ross Danby – Gas Gas who is still looking
to record his first victory of the season. Alexis Cervantes
– Sherco is another rider who will be hoping that the
French GP brings him a maiden win, especially in front of
his home fans.
Senez, will also host a round of the European championship
over a similar course, on the day prior to the main World
event.
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