Outdoor Trial World Championship. Japan
TONI BOU AND REPSOL UNSTOPPABLE AT THE WORLD TRIALS
CHAMPIONSHIP
Double victory for Bou at the two tests of the Japanese Grand
Prix, while Fujinami claimed two third positions before his
fans. Laia Sanz, also a Repsol rider, is eighth in the World
Junior Championship
The World Trials Championship was recontunued this weekend
with the Japanese Grand Prix, disputed at the Japanes town
of Twin Ring Motegi. Repsol rider Toni Bou took command both
on Saturday and Sunday, considerably increasing his advantage
in the general classification. Teammate Takahisa Fujinami
claimed two third positions on the podium, while fellow Repsol
rider Laia Sanz was eighth in the World Junior Cup.
Saturday
Repsol rider Toni Bou commanded both rounds with authority,
with the added difficulty of heavy rain on the initially tough
track. With this victory, the third out of the five tests
held up until now, the title holder continued to increase
his advantage as leader of the general classification.
Takahisa Fujinami lost all chances of challenging the victory
of his teammate in zone seven when during the first round
he hit a stone hard with his bike, damaging the hood of the
clutch and losing some 20 minutes repairing it. In spite of
this setback, the Japanese rider gave a brilliant performance
before his fans, climbing once again to the podium, himself
and Toni Bou the only riders to always finish there. Repsol
– Montesa HRC won once again the brand classification
and continues to distance itself leading the general classification
in this category.
Laia Sanz was tenth among the participants at the World Junior
Cup, her best result this season in this category, where she
has climbed to tenth position in the general classification.
Sunday
Toni Bou increased his advantage as leader of the World Trials
Championship after taking command during the second day of
the Japanese Grand Prix, which puts an end to the first half
of the championship. The Repsol – Montesa HRC rider
has four victories and two second positions to his name at
this moment. Fellow Repsol rider Takahisa Fujinami repeated
the third position taken yesterday after having finished the
first round in the lead, at a tie with the future winner.
The Japanese rider, who today completed his 200th participation
in a world-level test, and Toni Bou, are the only two riders
to have claimed a podium position in all six World Championship
tests disputed until now. With Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami's
results, Repsol – Montesa HRC has contunued to increase
its advantage leading the brand classification.
On the other hand, Laia Sanz managed seventh position among
the participants of the World Junior Cup, a category won by
Alexz Wigg. Tenth yesterday after the first day at the Japanese
event, Laia Sanz this time claimed her best result this season
in this category, and has climbed two positions in the general
classification led by Wigg, and is now eighth.
The seventh event of the World Trials Championship will be
the French Grand Prix, which will be disputed next 22nd June
in the town of Maisse.
Quotes
Toni Bou >>
Saturday>>
“The 71 points I've scored do not leave any doubts as
to how difficult this test was. And under these conditions,
a victory tastes even better, so it's easy to tell why I'm
so satisfied.
The advantage I built during the first round was crucial in
order to face the second in a comfortable position. Tomorrow
I'll try to do the same; I'm sure we'll find great difficulties
and my rivals won't make it easy for me, but I'll do my best.”
Sunday>>
“Winning the two days of such a selective test as this
is fantastic, both for me and for the team. Yesterday I won
more comfortably, because today Takahisa was very strong during
the first round and Adam was putting on the pressure right
until the end during the second. The overall result of this
first half of the Championship is unbeatable, and as the tests
go by I'm feeling calmer. Our situation is the best indication
that we're heading in the right direction and that we should
stay in this line of work.”
Takahisa Fujinami >>
Saturday>>
“I've always maintained that winning here, in my country
and before my fans, has a special value, so today I was hoping
for much more than this third position.
I was unlucky, I lost a considerable amount of time repairing
the bike and was forced to complete the rest of the test in
a rush in order not to get penalty points for time. In these
conditions, I think the result is good, but tomorrow I'd like
to challenge Toni and be the one to climb to the top step
on the podium.”
Sunday>>
“It was an excellent weekend for the team and for Toni,
though not so much for me. I wanted to win in my country in
front of my fans, but it was not to be. I started off well
and at the end of the first round everything was possible,
but during the second I made a couple of mistakes that cost
me dear. The two podiums this weekend are OK but I expected
more.”
Laia Sanz >>
“It was a satisfactory weekend, though yesterday I couldn't
help feeling disappointed because I lost four positions during
the second round.
Keeping sixth position under those difficult conditions would
have been great. Today, however, the process was the reverse
and during the second round I got better. I feel very happy.”
Official Results
>> Japan G.P. Classification. Saturday
1. Toni Bou (Repsol - Montesa HRC) 71 (31+39+1)
2. Adam Raga (Gas Gas) 97 (52+45)
3. Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol - Montesa HRC) 103 (53+49)
4. Dougie LAMPKIN (BETA) 109 (57+52)
5. Jeroni Fajardo (Beta) 115 (63+52)
>> Japan G.P. Classification. Sunday
1. Toni Bou (Repsol - Montesa HRC) 40 (23+17)
2. Adam Raga (Gas Gas) 42 (29+13)
3. Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol - Montesa HRC) 51 (23+28)
4. Dougie LAMPKIN (BETA) 57 (32+25)
5. Jeroni Fajardo (Beta) 81 (35+46)
>> World Championship
1. Toni Bou (Repsol - Montesa HRC) 114 Points
2. Adam Raga (Gas Gas) 99 “
3. Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol - Montesa HRC) 97 “
4. Albert Cabestany (Sherco) 66 “
5. Dougie Lampkin (BETA) 66 “
>> Manufacturers’ Championship
1. Montesa 211 Points
2. Gas Gas 150 “
3. Beta 132“
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