Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme : SPEA FIM Indoor Trial World Championship

Tag Heuer present Bou with a winning watch

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:15:00 +0200

Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa rounded out a perfect 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship when he clinched his seven successive win to maintain his 100% record at the final round in Paris, France last night. In addition to collecting his winner's trophy for his performance on the evening, and his latest FIM gold medal – he now has twelve in total, Bou was also presented with an automatic Aquaracer Chronograh by TAG Heuer to celebrate his incredible achievements. TAG Heuer is the Official Watch and Timing partner of the FIM and has been an integral and important part of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship after doing some initial tests last year. For the first time the FIM X-Trial World Championship has benefited from having a professional timing service to bring it in line with the standards used throughout other motorcycle disciplines where speed is the key factor. The sport of Trial is unique in so many different ways to other two-wheel disciplines and thus demanded a new approach in order to deliver a reliable and accurate timing system and service. The Swiss Sport Watch and Chronograph company TAG Heuer is master in this sector and has devised a set of portable equipment that has been present in the many arenas the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship has visited over the last three months. The riders, teams, local organisers and FIM officials who have all noted the extra and increased level that it has brought to the series have applauded the introduction of this new service by TAG Heuer. Olivier Godallier, FIM Marketing and Communications Director stated. "We are obviously delighted to have a company and brand such as TAG Heuer involved and associated with the sport of motorcycling in general. In the specific area of the FIM X-Trial World Championship TAG Heuer has done great work in creating a professional and trusted solution in what can be some very different and challenging conditions due to the unique nature of the Trial discipline. Not only would we like to thank them for providing this service, but also for the kind presentation they made to Toni Bou last night." Thierry Huron, TAG Heuer Timing and Marketing Services Director explains. "By providing for the first time a high level of timing services to the FIM X-Trial World Championship, TAG Heuer aims to provide this series with a definitive added value and to bring it in line with the timing precision standard of the major FIM World Championships. The leader in prestigious Sport Watches and Chronograph, together with his reputable timing servicing partner".

Bou makes it a straight seven

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:46:00 +0200

Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa cleaned up the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship with a seventh consecutive win at the final round in Paris, France. Whilst Bou's win was perhaps no surprise, Jeroni Fajardo - Beta taking the runners up spot certainly was a shock as he finished ahead of Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa who was third on the evening. Albert Cabestany - Sherco, placed an off form fourth, but this was enough to secure him second in the series. It was a disappointing finale for Adam Raga - Gas Gas who missed out on a place in the final for the first time this season, and thus had to settle for third spot in the final standings, once again behind his arch rival Cabestany.

A strong and exciting qualification process set the bar for the rest of the evening. As usual it consisted of five sections to be completed in eight minutes. France's Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco broke new ground by becoming the first wild-card rider to make it through to a semifinal this series. However it was not a happy ending for his compatriot, Loris Gubian - Gas Gas. As France's lone permanent rider in the series, who wanted to wave his country's flag high in Paris, suffered a fall from a high point in the second section. This seemingly knocked his confidence from which he never recovered and ultimately cost him his place in the semifinal. Michael Brown - Gas Gas, Jack Challoner - Beta and remaining wild card rider Benoit Dagnicourt - Beta also rode themselves out of the main event. Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa dropped ten marks in qualification, which was four more than wild-card Ferrer whose tally was just six marks. Adam Raga performed only slightly better than Ferrer, losing five marks. Jeroni Fajardo - Beta proved that he was on top form from the off, dropping just one mark whilst Albert Cabestany - Sherco initially looked capable of putting Bou under pressure as the two ended qualification tied on zero points, with a tie-break putting Bou in the intermediate lead.

The semi-final saw the addition of a new and challenging section, standing high above the ground and constructed to resemble a Paris cityscape, complete with skyscrapers and an Arc de Triumph at the centre. This section proved too difficult for Ferrer, Fujinami, Raga and Cabestany. Fajardo was the first rider to complete it, however picked up two time penalties whilst Bou cruised through in true style.

It was a close semi-final with Ferrer, Raga and Cabestany all tying on sixteen marks. With Fujinami, Fajardo and Bou having scored better and secured their place in the final, this allowed the riders' qualification positions to be used to decide which two would go through and it was Raga who missed out, which meant he was unable to realise his ambitions of taking second in the championship.

Completing his clean sweep victory was the perfect way for Bou to end the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship. Following the podium presentations, this year's World champion was awarded a watch by Tag Heuer. Bou is now hoping to lead Spain to victory at the 2012 FIM XTrial des Nations, which will be held in Nice, France next Friday.

Full results here

It is déjà vu for Bercy

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:35:00 +0200

The 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship makes its final stop at the iconic Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy later this evening. It is the first time in well over ten years that one of France's most famous indoor sports stadium has hosted a World championship status motorcycle sporting event.

The Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, or 'Bercy' as it is more commonly known, is instantly recognised for its striking architecture, which comprises pyramidal shapes and exterior walls covered with sloping green lawns.

Bercy first became famous within the Trial community through the FIM Indoor Trial World Championship rounds it hosted during the mid-1990s, which were also the very first events of this type to be broadcast live on television. Continuing the tradition it began all those years ago, tonight's finale at Bercy will be aired on Motors TV and Sport + (Canal +) channels.

Despite its long absence from the FIM Trial calendar, Bercy has continuously hosted Supercross events. Supercross Paris-Bercy, which is due to return to the stadium in November, is one of the most respected annual supercross events in Europe, and invites America's leading riders to compete against the continent's finest.

Bercy is also known as the 'home' of indoor windsurfing; the stadium is the venue of the Paris Masters ATP Tour tennis tournament and for many other sports including basketball, boxing and gymnastics, to name just a few. The arena has also played host to a number of famous music concerts, with the likes of Sting, Bruce Springsteen and U2 having all headlined there in the past.

So, Bercy will no doubt provide a unique setting befitting tonight's exciting final round of 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship.

Ferrer shines in Paris

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:38:00 +0200

Just two days after turning twenty-two years old Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco used the occasion of the final round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship to celebrate in real style. Ferrer who had made one previous outing in the current series at round three held in Marseille, where he finished dead last, certainly turned his fortunes around by becoming the first wild card rider this season to make it through to the semi-final part of the competition. For the young French rider who originates from the town of Pertuis, this was his second big success in a six-day period, his strong showing in Paris following his win at the opening round of France's domestic outdoor championship last Sunday. Yesterday evening Ferrer qualified in fifth place, just one mark behind Adam Raga - Gas Gas and four marks clear of Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa, as his much more fancied compatriot Loris Gubian - Gas Gas failed to make it through to the main event for only the second time this year. Alexandre was rewarded for his valiant efforts with sixth place on the night, which earned him five valuable championship points that in turn put him in ninth spot in the final series standings after his two wild card outings.

Gubian - high hopes for home round

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:17:00 +0200

Twenty-three-year-old, Loris Gubian - Gas Gas has been the lone French flag flyer in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship. France's home grown talent from La Croix Rousse has also proved to be one of this year's most improved riders and will be calling on the encouragement of home fans as he takes on Spanish rider, Jeroni Fajardo - Beta, at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy on Saturday.

Sixth in current standings, Gubian sits only six points behind fifth placed Fajardo. So with a top-five finish within his grasp, Loris will be putting up a tough fight tomorrow evening as he aims to overtake his rival.

Whether he finishes fifth or sixth in the final standings, Gubian has climbed up the rankings considerably since last year. Despite having a hugely successful domestic season in 2011, Gubian failed to secure a fixed spot in the 2011 FIM X-Trial World Championship. Loris, was however, selected to take part as the wild card rider in two out of six rounds, placing eighth and seventh in Marseille and Geneva respectively, and finishing the series in ninth place overall.

Gubian's results have been a lot more impressive this year. He has made it through to all but one semi final, having missed out by just two marks to Britain's Michael Brown - Gas Gas in Madrid. Fifth has been Gubian's best result to date and he will be doing all he can to make it his final position as the series comes to a close this weekend.

X-Trial: Paris sets stage for series finale

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:50:00 +0200

The 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship will take its bow in Paris this Saturday evening as the French capital proudly sets the stage for the seventh and final round of what has been a truly action-packed and memorable series. This is the first time in many years that the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy has hosted a similar style and status event.

Only one position is clear at the moment, with Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa having already been declared the winner of 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship at the penultimate round in Milan, Italy almost two weeks ago. Bou will arrive in Paris forty-two points clear of Adam Raga - Gas Gas and Albert Cabestany - Sherco who are tied on seventy-eight points apiece in the current championship standings.

So although Bou will be aiming to complete his clean sweep victory and claim his seventh consecutive round win this season, the real excitement on Saturday evening will be watching the final leg of Raga's and Cabestany's tense battle unfold, as both bid to become Vice World Champion.

The fight between Raga and Cabestany was just as close last year when the rivals actually finished the series tied on points with Cabestany eventually being named runner up having collected three second place finishes compared to Raga's two during the 2011 season. Should it come down to the same tie again this year, Raga will have the advantage as he has achieved four second place finishes over Cabestany's two.

Takahisa Fujinami currently holds fourth spot overall. Despite missing out on his place in the final in Milan to Jeroni Fajardo - Beta (fifth), a substantial twenty-one points still separate the pair. Fajardo is just six points ahead of Loris Gubian - Gas Gas. As the championship's only permanent French rider, Gubian will no doubt be looking forward to a final showdown on home soil. Lagging twelve points behind Gubian is British challenger, Michael Brown who has only made it through qualification once this series.

There will be yet another new face taking up the remaining spot in the permanent eight rider line-up this weekend, with twenty-year-old Jack Challoner - Beta from Britain replacing Pol Tarres - JTG. Tarres momentarily replaced Alfredo Gomez - Montesa in Milan, but has unfortunately had to withdraw from this weekend's final round due to a wrist injury.

Two wild card riders have been invited by the organiser to join the fixed riders at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy this Saturday - Benoit Dagnicourt and Alexandre Ferrer, who are both French and who will hoping to make the most of the home support.

This Saturday evening's final round will be broadcast live on Motors TV and Sport + (Canal +).

Will Bou extend his reign in Paris?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:10:00 +0200

This Saturday evening will see the triumphant return of twenty-five-year-old Spanish rider, Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa as he arrives in Paris for the finale of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, having already secured this year's title and confirmed his status as the most successful indoor Trial rider of all time.

Bou's six consecutive round victories this season have earned him his sixth successive FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Championship. This puts Bou one ahead of the previous record held by Britain's Dougie Lampkin (current Gas Gas Team Manager) who won five FIM Indoor Trial World Championships during his competitive career.

Although Bou can afford to be relatively relaxed on Saturday evening, he will be pushing hard to continue his winning streak despite having suffered a back injury at the penultimate round of the series in Milan just over a week ago.

Bou's crash in Milan meant that he ended the round tied on ten marks with Adam Raga - Gas Gas, but overcoming the pain, Bou proved every bit the worthy winner and 2012 champion as he managed to beat Raga in a tense tie-break dual lane race.

Speaking after the last round, Bou said: "I am very happy to win another championship. It is nice to go into the record books as the rider with the most indoor titles."

Team celebrations were temporarily postponed, however, as Bou went to hospital the next day to get his back checked out and to make sure that he would be well enough to compete in the final round.

"I feel better but I had a huge scare. I heard a very loud 'crack' in my back," said Bou after returning from hospital. "But it has improved quickly and today it doesn't hurt that much, so [thankfully] it is not serious.

"Despite this incident it has been a fantastic season for me. In recent rounds the other riders have pushed me to the end of the trial and it has been close, but hopefully I can maintain my one hundred per cent record indoors this season by winning the final round in Bercy, Paris."

But let's hope that Bou does not push himself too hard this weekend, as he will have little time to recuperate with the opening round of the 2012 FIM Trial World Championship set to be held in Las Bresse, France in just over four weeks time.

Bou will no doubt be aiming to replicate his FIM X-Trial success and claim his six consecutive outdoor World title this year. If he is successful, Bou will increase his total FIM World Championship tally to twelve, equalling that of Dougie Lampkin (who won five indoor and seven outdoor World titles) and setting him on the path to becoming the best outright Trial rider in history.

Tribute to Diego Bosis in Milan

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:11:00 +0100

At the FIM X-Trial World Championship round in Milan last Saturday, the X-Trial riders paid tribute to Diego with one minute of silence, while wearing a t-shirt with the image of the Italian rider.

At the beginning of this year, the world of Trial was shaken by some very sad news: former Trial rider Diego Bosis, born in Bergamo, Italy, passed away last February. He was a member of the Italian team who won the Trial des Nations in 1987; in that same year he was Individual World Championship runner-up. For many years he was among the five best Trial riders in the world. Recently he had been working with the FIM Trial Commission designing sections for events. He was 44 years old.

'No limit' Bou set sights on the future

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:52:00 +0100

Toni Bou achieved his eleventh Trial World Championship, the sixth consecutive Indoor, apart from the five titles he already has in the Outdoor World Championship The Repsol rider, Toni Bou, was able yesterday night to increase his amazing track record with a new World Championship title. Bou took his sixth victory of the season and mathematically secured his sixth consecutive title of the class, his eleventh World Championship victory since he joined the Repsol Montesa Honda Team in 2007. Yesterday night Milans public was able to see again the extraordinary level shown by the Repsol rider, who fought for victory in the last zone, riding together with Adam Raga. A huge crash in the penultimate zone left them tied with 10 points but, overcoming the pain, Bou imposed his talent to take the victory of a very exciting race, thus completing a perfect Championship. How do you feel after yesterday's crash?
"I feel better, but I had a huge scare. I heard a very loud 'crack' in the back and after a hit on the head you always feel sick and confused. But I improved quickly and today it doesn't hurt that much, so that means it is not serious". Winning the World Championship title help you recover, doesn't it?
"Of course. Yesterday I was very happy, but I could not celebrate the title as other times. I will celebrate when I feel a bit better. It was a different World Championship". You had the title at hand, but it was better to achieve it with a victory
"I knew that I could get the Championship with only a fifth place, but to take it with a victory is always better and more important. It was also the sixth win in six races, it was a great year, I could not ask for more". In fact, you've had several good years: since 2010 nobody has been able to beat you, 15 consecutive victories. How do you do that?
"It is a great number and I'm very happy to be able to keep this level. Now we will go to Paris and I want to enjoy it as much as possible. Very few times you can go to a race without pressure and now we have the opportunity to just enjoy it". What is the secret to constantly keep that level?
"The most important thing is to have motivation. Things go well, everything is going as planned and to be willing to compete is crucial". How was the level of this year's rounds?
"Difficulty is high, except for last week's round in Majorca, and that is good. The more difficult it is the more motivation we have to overcome each round and that is good for me to fight for the championship". You have slowly broken records: six consecutive World Championships, a number with which you already surpassed Lampkin's indoor championships record. Where is your limit?
"For now, I don't see any limits, I'm 25 years old, I'm young and I have a lot of motivation to continue. If there is no physical problem, I want to keep the pace". How do you see yourself for the outdoor season?
"I am looking forward to it. The first race did not go very well and Adam Raga was very strong and won, so it seems that there will be a very close fight for the title".

An injured Bou speaks

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 01:29:00 +0100

Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa maintained his calm in Milan to win his sixth consecutive 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship round and, in doing so, secure his sixth consecutive FIM X-Trial World Championship title. It lifts the twenty-five-year-old Spanish rider above Britain's Dougie Lampkin (five FIM Indoor Trial World Championships) and confirms his status as the best indoor rider of all time. "Of course I am very happy to win another championship," said Bou. "It is nice to go into the record books as the rider with the most indoor titles. This is a special moment, but I crashed very hard in the last section of the final and right now my back hurts. I should be celebrating this evening, but instead we are going to the hospital to get it checked out, just to make sure it is okay." "Despite this incident it has been fantastic season for me. I have felt good since the beginning of the series in January," continued Bou. "I have been riding well. In recent rounds the other riders have pushed me to the end of the trial and it has been close, but hopefully I can maintain my one hundred per cent record indoors this season by winning the final round at Bercy in Paris."

Bou takes his sixth title in a row

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 01:04:00 +0100

A steadfast Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa kept his cool to claim the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship at the penultimate round of the series held in Milan, Italy and in doing so extended his indoor tally to six consecutive titles. It was Bou's sixth successive victory in a championship that he has dominated en route to writing his name in the record books as the most successful indoor trials rider of all time. Joining the indomitable Catalan on the podium was Adam Raga - Gas Gas, in a close second, and Albert Cabestany - Sherco third. Bou's victory was overshadowed somewhat by a big crash on the last section during the final. The fall diluted his celebrations on an evening when, until that point, he had lived up to his reputation by stealing the show. The incident left Bou and Raga tied on ten marks apiece and forced Bou, who had injured his back, into a tiebreak. Bruised, but with his adrenaline pumping, he managed to beat Raga in a tense dual lane race to confirm a difficult victory. Bou was not the only one to slip up and injure themselves on the hazardous sections. Pol Tarres - Jotogas was the first victim during a qualification that really tested the World's best riders. Tarres exited in spectacular fashion, hurting himself in the process. Dazed, the youngster was taken straight to hospital with a concussion. Early reports suggest that he had also broken a small bone in his left wrist. Each of the sections represented its own challenge, the big steps testing the riders' ability and nerve. Wildcards Daniel Oliveras - Ossa and Giacomo Saleri - Beta rode well, but were not up to the task. Both failed to progress into the semi-final. An absent Tarres was also relegated, alongside a disappointed Michael Brown - Gas Gas. The latter finished eighth, behind Oliveras in seventh. The semi-final was every bit as intense. Even Bou made a mistake and fived the log section, much to the crowd's surprise. An outclassed Loris Gubian - Gas Gas never looked likely to progress, while an inconsistent Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa made too many mistakes and joined Gubian for an early exit. Jeroni Fajardo - Beta faired a little better and earned promotion into the final alongside Cabestany, Raga and Bou. The four battled it out over four sections with Raga just managing to cling on to Bou's coattails. However, no one expected Bou to slip up, particularly in such an awkward way. He fell from one of the highest obstacles in a course that left no room for rider error. The dual lane tiebreak was a nail-biting end to what proved an extraordinary event. Bou was the victor by a whisker, and Raga's efforts saw him claim the runners-up prize and leave Italy tied on Raga's heroic performance has set up what should prove an equally tense fight at the final round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Bercy, Paris in two weeks time. Hopefully a fully fit Bou will also join his countryman in a bid to maintain his one-hundred per cent record in a series that, for the sixth successive time, he has made his own.

X-Trial returns to Milan

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:50:00 +0100

The sixth and penultimate round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship will be held at the Mediolanum Forum Assago in the glamorous city of Milan, Italy. This will be the second consecutive year the championship has visited Milan which also hosted the sixth and final round of the 2011 series. The title had already been decided before the final in Milan last year thanks to Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa who has been equally dominant this season. Also consistent with last year's final round is the fierce competition for second place between Albert Cabestany - Sherco and Adam Raga - Gas Gas. Despite Raga finishing second on that night last year and Cabestany failing to make it through to the top-four, the rivals ended the championship tied on seventy-five points. You may recall the tense few moments that passed before Cabestany was confirmed as the series' first runner-up through technicality, having had collected three second place finishes over Raga's two. Cabestany is ahead of Raga in the current series, but with only three points separating the pair we can prepare to witness another tense battle this evening. Tonight, riders will be tasked with completing five sections during qualification and seven in the final with one double lane race. With two-times wild card entrant Pol Tarres now joining the official eight-rider line-up, two new wild card riders have been invited by the organiser to take part, Spanish rider Daniel Oliveras - Ossa and Giacomo Saleri - Beta from Italy for what promises to be a night of drama and action.

Tarres joins the FIM X-Trial show

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:32:00 +0100

Eighteen-year-old Spanish rider, Pol Tarres - Jotagas will replace Alfredo Gomez - Montesa as the eighth official rider in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship as the series heads to Milan for its penultimate round on Saturday. Being selected so late in game will have come as an unexpected surprise to Tarres and the Jotagas team, and was only made possible after Gomez chose to bow out early last weekend.

Tarres is no stranger to the series this season having already paid his dues as the wild card rider in Madrid two weeks ago and also in Marseille where he made his FIM X-Trial debut. Tarres has the right credentials to be part of the show after having finished second in last year's FIM Junior Trial World Championship.

Although Tarres failed to make it through qualification in both of his previous outings in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, he finished in seventh place in Marseille (in front of Gomez and Michael Brown - Gas Gas) and in eighth place in Madrid, after a tiebreaker decision put him one point ahead of Gomez. Both were respectable results for such a young newcomer and mean that Tarres has already collected five championship points, which he will carry forward to tomorrow night.

Pol is the nephew of Jordi Tarres, who owns of off-road motorcycle company, Jotagas, and is also seven-times World Trials Champion.

Pol will no doubt be aiming to follow in his is uncle's footsteps and with youth on his side, and having already made it into the official eight-rider line-up in his FIM X-Trial debut year, the future certainly looks bright for this young rider.

X-Trial: Bou set to make it six in Milan

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:34:00 +0100

The 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship will enter its penultimate chapter in Milan, Italy this Saturday. Six could be the magic number for Toni Bou - Respol Montesa who currently sits on the stop spot, thirty-four points clear of his nearest rival Albert Cabestany - Sherco. Having won all of the five rounds of the series to date, Bou looks odds on favourite to make it six wins in a row in Milan.

Six is also the minimum number of points (the equivalent to fifth place) Bou actually needs to secure his sixth consecutive FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Championship this weekend.

The all too familiar battle to be 'the best of the rest' stepped up a level in Majorca last Sunday and we can expect it to be equally as fierce in Milan as the series draws near its close.

Adam Raga - Gas Gas will be aiming to pull back some points having not only been overtaken by his arch rival, Albert Cabestany in Palma, but having also missed out on a podium spot to Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa for the second time this season.

With only three championship points separating Cabestany and Raga and with Fujinami currently on a charge, it would seem that both second and third spots are still very much up for grabs.

Elsewhere Jeroni Fajardo - Beta will be working hard to maintain his position on the leader board. Fifth in the current standings Fajardo now sits only two points ahead of Loris Gubian - Gas Gas after having failed to even make it through to the final in any of the five rounds to date. Gubian will have his own plan and will be aiming to overtake Fajardo in the general standings whilst Michael Brown - Gas Gas will no doubt be hoping to make it through to the semi-final (top-six) having only done so once so far this series.

Alfredo Gomez - Montesa has chosen to bow out early from the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship and will be replaced by fellow Spanish rider, Pol Tarres - Jotagas both in Milan this weekend and at the final round in Paris at the end of the month. Gomez finishes his campaign on eight points and in eighth spot, but is likely to be overhauled by Tarres in the coming weeks.

At eighteen-years-old, Tarres is now the youngest permanent rider in the competition. Tarres has already had two outings this season having been selected as the wild card entrant in both Marseille and Madrid, and consequently will carry forward the five championship points he has already collected.

Two wild card riders have been invited to take part in this Saturday's event at the Mediolanum Forum Assago in Milan - Spanish rider Daniel Oliveras - Ossa and Giacomo Saleri – Beta from Italy.

Fujinami remembers Japan

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:18:00 +0100

A year after the terrible natural disaster of the tsunami in his home land of Japan, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa remembered his nation as he stepped on to the podium at the fifth round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Palma, Majorca. The hugely popular Japanese rider was full of emotion as he dedicated his third place result and gave his thoughts to the tragic events of last March. The Repsol Montesa team member had this to say. "I am obviously very happy to be on the podium again, this only being the second time this season, although I have been close some other times. Although I am happy, I am also sad about what happen in Japan, and about the one year anniversary of this terrible event. My thoughts are with my family and friends and everyone in Japan. I always want to do my best and to get the best result so I can represent my nation in the best way. My message to the World is simple. Remember Japan, as we still need your help to rebuild our nation, and I want to thank everyone for the support they gave us so far."

Cabestany comes close to stopping Bou

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:32:00 +0100

Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa recorded his fifth straight victory of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Palma, Majorca but only after a titanic battle with Albert Cabestany – Sherco. In what proved to be a low scoring event Bou was pushed to the very last section by Cabestany, with just two marks separating the Spanish duo come the finish. For only the second time this season Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa prevented it being an all Spanish podium, as the veteran campaigner collected the third place trophy. Adam Raga - Gas Gas did not enjoy the best of evenings and failed to register in the top three, losing out on the last rostrum place to Fujinami by a single mark. Tonight's result sees Bou further extend his lead at the head of the general standings, and Cabestany take over second spot in the series from Raga, as these arch rivals once again fight it out to follow Bou home in the final rankings. Whilst the qualification process of five sections to be completed in eight minutes was a familiar format, the initial result broke new ground with six of the riders all on zero marks, which triggered a six-way tie-break. Michael Brown - Gas Gas and Alfredo Gomez - Montesa had already ridden themselves out of the main event as they dropped eleven and fifteen marks respectively to occupy seventh and eighth spots on the night. The remaining six riders returned to the log section, this time for a run against the clock. Loris Gubian - Gas Gas and Fujinami both failed at their first attempts in the tie-break and were forced into a second tie-decider that would go the way of the ever popular Japanese rider, meaning Loris was eventually the lowest placed qualifier. Jeroni Fajardo - Beta was the next best with a time of twenty-two seconds dead on the log section, a time which Cabestany beat by a clear two seconds. Raga looked to have put Bou under real pressure with a time just under sixteen seconds, but Toni was at his best as he crossed the line in a fraction over ten seconds to head the qualification order. Bou immediately opened up an advantage in the semi-final as he was the only clean on the first section. His execution of the undercut double step was simply exquisite and was in contrast to Cabestany's calculated dab that marked the start of his sterling challenge. Raga instantly ruled himself out of contention by taking maximum marks in the same hazard, along with Gubian and Fajardo. These latter two riders would fail to make it into the final and finished fifth and sixth respectively. Raga was first to tackle the sections in the final, as he transferred in fourth place, a position he would eventually occupy at the end of the night as he missed his opportunity to snatch the last podium place from Fujinami. Both Cabestany and Bou dropped a dab a piece on the tricky log section, this time ridden in reverse to set up a tense final hazard show down. Albert gave Toni some breathing space as he lost a single mark, and Bou did not need a second invitation to close the night with a solid clean to take his fifth win in a row and to remain undefeated in the series to date. With the rapid visits to Madrid, Spain and Palma, Majorca now over with, the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship still has no time to pause with the penultimate round of the series set for Milan, Italy next Saturday, when Bou may just claim his sixth straight title in this discipline.

Estripeau - The French section wizard

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:31:00 +0100

French section wizard Bernard Estripeau has once again weaved his magic to create a suitably testing course for tonight's event in Palma, Majorca which marks round five of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship. The fifty-six year old section designer has already been responsible for the hazards at the opening two rounds of the series in Strasbourg and Geneva, and will also be the man behind the course in Paris, France that will bring the current campaign to a close later this month. Estripeau has a long history in the sport as he explains. "I made my first indoor trial, as it was called then, in Toulouse back in 1983 and earlier this year I presented the twenty-fifth edition of this event. During my career I have created two-hundred and seventy-six events, this year I will make ten events in total." "It has taken me and four local workers three days to create the sections here in Palma, and what makes it nice is that we have been able to use local materials to create a theme that is typical of the island of Majorca. Tonight, like I always hope, is that it provides a good test for the riders and a great show for the public."

Majorca revisited

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:17:00 +0100

Palma Arena on the Balearic island of Majorca was last on the international Trial map in March 2010 when it hosted the final round of the then FIM Indoor Trial World Championship. If we were to step back in time to that very evening in 2010, we would witness Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa secure his fourth FIM Indoor Trial World Championship, having missed out on the top spot just once in Marseille to Albert Cabestany - Sherco that year.

Cabestany was also ahead of his current rival Adam Raga - Gas Gas, claiming both second spot in Palma and in the final championship standings. Although Raga finished third overall in 2010, he produced one of the worst results of his campaign that night, finishing in sixth spot, behind three of his Spanish compatriots plus James Dabill - Gas Gas and Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa respectively. It was a much more successful evening, however, for Jeroni Fajardo - Beta who completed the top-three podium line-up.

So as the leading protagonists of the current 2012 campaign return to Majorca this weekend, there is a similar order at the top of the general standings as when the series last visited the Veledromo Palma Arena two years ago. However that said, nothing in sport is ever that predictable, so who knows what might happen on the holiday island tomorrow night?

FIM X-Trial: The heat is on for Majorca

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:32:00 +0100

With Spring just around the corner, the atmosphere in Majorca's Veledromo Palma Arena will be far from chilly this Sunday as the heat turns up for the fifth round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship. A number of battles came to the fore last weekend in Madrid when the series returned after a five-week break. So we can expect the series' eight permanent riders to come back refuelled and ready to continue their fight for victory in Palma.

Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa once again outclassed his fellow competitors in his homeland, eventually winning by seven marks and extending his lead in the current championship standings to twenty-six points. Bou had a clean sweep victory in last year's series, and having won all four rounds of the 2012 campaign, few would bet against him repeating this success this year.

With Bou holding a comfortable advantage, the developing battle has once again been for second place with Spanish arch rivals, Adam Raga – Gas Gas and Albert Cabestany - Sherco exchanging blows. Following an impressive performance last weekend, Raga is currently winning the battle for the runners up spot. The pair arrived in Madrid tied on points, but Raga now has the lead, after beating Cabestany by ten marks. However, there are only three points separating Raga and Cabestany in the overall standings and with three rounds remaining there is everything to play for.

Two further battles have also become apparent - the fight to make it into the semi finals (top six) and the battle to be in the finals (top four). Bou's teammate, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa currently holds fourth spot in the championship, seventeen points ahead of his closest rival Jeroni Fajardo - Beta. However, Fajardo has said he is much happier since rejoining the Beta team this year and having now had four rounds to acquaint himself with his new bike, we can perhaps expect greater things from him as the series reaches its climax over the coming weeks.

Loris Gubian - Gas Gas is currently sixth on the leader board, but he failed to make it through to the semi final in Madrid, clearing the path for his British teammate, Michael Brown - Gas Gas to make his 2012 top-six debut and collect additional championship points, putting him only six points behind Gubian. Brown will no doubt arrive in Palma still brimming with confidence from his improved showing in Madrid and, with ambitions of breaking into the top six overall, he will be looking to pull back further points on Gubian this weekend.

Alfredo Gomez - Montesa lags seven points behind Brown in eighth place having failed to impress during qualification in Madrid where he fived every section and a tie-breaker that put him in disappointing ninth place behind wild card entrant, Pol Tarres. Gomez will be hoping for a much stronger outing this weekend.

So as the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship prepares to make its stop in Palma, Majorca this Sunday, with seemingly all but the top spot up for grabs, the heat is most definitely on.

Will Majorca give Cabestany a boost?

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:04:00 +0100

After a one-year absence from the FIM X-Trial World Championship calendar, Majorca will host the fifth round of the 2012 series this coming weekend. There is perhaps no better location for Albert Cabestany (Sherco), who currently holds third place in the general standings, to start his closing assault on the two riders ahead of him.

With Toni Bou (Respol) seemingly riding in a league of his own having won all four rounds to date, the real battle of the series is now for second place with Cabestany fighting it out with Adam Raga (Gas Gas). The pair started the fourth round in Madrid tied on points and after a very hit and miss qualifying lap from Raga it looked as though Cabestany might have his chance to take the upper hand. However, Raga came back much stronger in the semi final and final to ultimately take second place, ten marks ahead of Cabestany.

Albert will be hoping to close the slight advantage his arch rival now holds in the series standings as the action unfolds in Majorca this Sunday. Rewind back to the 2010 series and Cabestany not only won the battle for second place in Palma, he also arrived fresh from defeating the all-powerful Bou at a previous round in Marseille. No other competitor has beaten Bou indoors since way back then.

So, whilst Cabestany will be hot on the heels of Raga this weekend he will also be aiming yet again to put Bou's 100% record under pressure.

"It is not going to be an easy fifth round," said Cabestany. "As you can see Adam (Raga) is very strong and Bou is one step ahead of us. Also Jeroni (Fajardo) is normally riding well and Fujinami is always pushing to be on the podium. So it is not just Adam who I will be looking out for in Majorca, but the other riders too. I will be aiming to put some pressure on Bou also.
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But can Cabestany really do enough to break Bou's winning streak? He responds: "It will be difficult for sure, but I think we have the chance again this year. I am at the right level and I feel I am riding well. We will see what happens in Majorca."

At thirty-one years old, Cabestany is one of the oldest competitors in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, but believes he is in his prime and plans on using his experience to his advantage as he looks for victory in the remaining rounds of the series.

"Right now I feel that I am in one of the best moments of my career. Physically I feel great, I have a good bike and good team behind me. Obviously, I am always aiming to improve. I realise that if I do not continue to push myself and work hard, then younger riders may start to catch up. But I am training hard and I am improving each day."