Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme : SPEA FIM Trial World Championship

Bou changes to four wheels

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:48:00 +0100

The Repsol rider unveiled today the car he will use to participate in the Endurance Spanish Championship in Alcañiz

Toni Bou, who yesterday won the Spanish Trial Championship, will be part of the Repsol team that will participate in the Alcañiz 500 kilometres race next December at the Motorland Aragón Circuit.

It is one of the toughest endurance race in Spain due to its length, the low temperatures and the bad weather. Repsol will debut in this competition with the first racing car modified in Spain to run with AutoGas. Bou will drive a Fiat 500 with 205cv power that runs with alternative fuel which helps improving the quality of the air due to minimum emissions and also offers an economical advantage for the users compared to traditional fuel due to its higher efficiency.

That is the reason why three riders of different disciplines have been chosen: Dani Solá (Junior World Rally Champion), Toni Bou (Trial World Champion), both making their debut in circuit, and Jaime Hernández (driver and journalist specialist on circuits). In brief, a pioneer event, both for the use of AutoGas, a fuel used by 5.000 vehicles in Spain and more than 8 millions around the world, and for the driver line-up.

On the occasion of this competition, today the car that will be driven by Toni Bou was unveiled. It is a vehicle adapted to work with Spanish technology provided by Difisa, the biggest Fiat dealer in Cataluña. Several journalists had the privilege to accompany Bou as codrivers in a short stint near Palau Sant Jordi

Furthermore, Takahisa Fujinami, Bou's team mate at the Repsol Montesa Honda Team, also attended the event to support the rider from Piera. The Japanese rider had a 'duel' with Bou, making some impressive jumps and tricks with his bike.

Toni Bou:

"After a fantastic season, for me it is a prize that Repsol gives me the opportunity to run the Alcañiz 500 km in a circuit such as Motorland, which is amazing. The car I will drive has special features. It works with a fuel named AutoGas, which contributes to improve the quality of the air and has a much lower consumption. This will allow us to do more laps and to be more competitive".

FIM Trial: 2012 calendars

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:46:00 +0200

Please find hereunder the 2012 calendars of the FIM Trial & FIM Women's Trial World Championships and FIM Trial des Nations.

FIM Trial World Championship

Date	FMN	Place	Country
28-29 April	FFM	La Bresse	France
26-27 May	MA	Mt Tarrengower	Australia
02-03 June	MFJ	Motegi	Japan
16-17 June	RFME	Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo	Spain
23-24 June	FMA	Sant Julià	Andorra
08 July	FMI	Santo Stefano d'Aveto	Italy
28-29 July	ACU	Penrith	Great Britain

FIM Trial des Nations

Date	FMN	Place	Country
29-30 September	FMS	Moutier	Switzerland

FIM Women's Trial World Championship

Date	FMN	Place	Country
23-24 June	FMA	Sant Julià	Andorra
22-23 September	FMS	Tramelan	Switzerland
28 September	FMS	Moutier	Switzerland

Bou : "A lot of pressure"

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 22:06:00 +0200

The Repsol rider is the great championship for the fifth year in a row. Takahisha Fujinami signs the third position in the overall standings and Laia Sanz is fifteenth in the Junior category. Toni Bou conquered this Sunday his fifth Outdoor Trial World Championship title —all of them consecutive— after winning the eleventh and last round. To those five titles, Bou adds another five in Indoor —also consecutive— and always as Repsol Montesa Honda rider. The Repsol rider was the only competitor that was never out of the podium in this 37th edition of the World Championship. He won seven rounds and has a total of 39 world championship victories, which places him as the third most successful rider in history. Bou confirmed his new title a week after Laia Sanz won again the World and Continental titles —her eleventh and tenth, respectively— in the females' class. Today, under a constant rain, the Repsol Montesa Honda rider did not settle for finishing in the top six, a result that would allow him to secure the title, and made a difference from the first lap, showing his high level in the competition. His team mate, Takahisa Fujinami, was fourth, a result that kept him in the third final position of the overall standings. Laia Sanz was fifteenth in the Junior category. Toni Bou
When you win a title you are never sure if you are going to win another. We worked the whole year for this feat and that was the tenth time I lived such a great moment. Today things went very well for us, with a very good first lap and another triumph. This is the way I wanted to win this championship where, as always, there was a lot of pressure. It does not matter if the difference with the rivals is more or less, in a World Championship there is always tension.

Five in a row for Bou

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:47:00 +0200

Under heavy rain Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa claimed the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, his fifth outdoor title in a row, by winning the second day of the Grand Prix of Europe held at Isola 2000, France. Bou was in devastating form losing only a single mark on his first lap to take the all important victory by eight marks from Adam Raga - Gas Gas who finished as runner-up both on the day and in the general standings. Albert Cabestany - Sherco completed the rostrum once again, and in doing so snatched fourth place in the series as Jeroni Fajardo - Ossa was disqualified for needing outside assistance to finish the Trial. Heavy rain throughout the night and during most of today's Trial forced the organisers to modify several of the sections at the mountain venue. Despite the conditions Bou signalled his intent in the very first hazard, cleaning in some style as Raga was amongst many riders who suffered an early failure. Bou's faultless run continued for most of the first lap, with him only parting with a single dab in the last but one section. Already by the mid-point Bou was eleven marks in front of Raga, and had one hand on the title. Even a mistake in section fourteen on lap two that resulted in a five could not spoil Bou's day, as although Raga responded with the best final lap score, Toni still took the victory by six marks and with it his fifth successive SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. Raga finished well clear of Cabestany who kept an off form Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa down in fourth spot. Despite a poor weekend for the Japanese rider he still maintained third spot in the championship and played his role alongside Bou in helping Montesa secure yet another Manufacturers' title. James Dabill - Beta and Michael Brown - Gas Gas finished fifth and sixth respectively today, allowing Brown to overtake Loris Gubian - Gas Gas in the final standings and snatch a well earned sixth spot in the rankings. Alfredo Gomez - Montesa made an impressive debut in the World Pro class, a day afer clinching the Junior title, taking seventh position ahead of Jack Challoner - Beta. Italian rider Matteo Grattarola - Gas Gas demoted Gubian into tenth spot, as the French rider failed to shine on the second day of his home GP. In the Junior class with no Gomez, Pol Tarres – Gas Gas and Francesc Moret – Montesa were left to battle for the runners-up spot. However, it was Jonathan Richardson – Sherco who recorded not only his first podium position of the season, but also his first victory with Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco finishing second and Moret completing the Junior podium line-up. Today's result left Tarres and Moret tied on one hundred and twenty nine marks apiece in the overall standings with Tarres taking second position having returned best overall results during the course of the championship. The Youth Championship had also already been decided with Jack Sheppard – Beta taking the Youth title. Due to injury Sheppard settled for spectating at the final weekend of competition in the 2011 championship whilst his fellow contenders fought to climb the championship table. It was young Swedish rider, Eddie Karlsson – Gas Gas who was to take the final victory of the season, recording his first championship win after a tough battle with eventual youth championship runner-up, Cedric Tempier – Sherco. Both riders finished on thirty-five marks and were also tied on the numbers of cleans, ones, twos, threes and fives leaving the winner to be decided on which rider completed the course in the fastest time, a competition in which Karlsson prevailed by the narrow margin of just one minute three seconds leaving Tempier having to accept second place with Steven Coquelin – Gas Gas completing the Youth podium. The Trial paddock will reassemble in Italy in two weeks time, for the final round of the FIM Women's Trial World Championship and the FIM Trial des Nations. Results:

World
1: Bou 8
2: Raga 14
3: Cabestany 34
4: Fujinami 43
5: Dabill 51

Junior
1: Richardson 20
2: Ferrer 25
3: Moret 27
4: Tarres 32
5: Dagnicourt 37

Youth 125cc
1: Karlsson 35
2: Tempier 35
3: Coquelin 39
4: Saleri 45
5: Cox 52

2011 FIM Riders Championship
Final Standings:
World
1: Bou 204
2: Raga 191
3: Fujinami 155
4: Cabestany 129
5: Fajardo 115

Junior
1: Gomez 144
2: Tarres 129
3: Moret 129
4: Dagnicourt 109
5: Ferrer 100

Youth 125cc
1: Sheppard 169
2: Tempier 157
3: Coquelin 127
4: Saleri 127
5: Martin J 92 2011 FIM Manufacturers Championship
Final Standings:
1: Montesa 359
2: Gas Gas 290
3: Beta 167
4: Sherco 153
5: Ossa 115

Alfredo Gomez – FIM Junior Trial Champion

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 11:10:00 +0200

Twenty-two year old Alfredo Gomez - Montesa from Madrid, Spain is the 2011 SPEA FIM Junior Trial World Champion. Gomez who also won the Youth title back in 2007, was runner-up to Jack Challoner – Beta during the 2010 season in the Junior class, however has managed to go one step higher this year. Alfredo first joined the World tour back in 2006, when he finished fourth in the Youth series during his rookie season and since then has progressed well through the ranks. Four wins during the first four days of this year's campaign set Alfredo on the path to success and with another victory today his fate was sealed. Speaking about his latest achievement Gomez stated. "I felt good all day, even if I was just a little nervous to begin with this morning. I knew the rain was coming and so I went fast to miss it. I took two fives in the last sections because of the rain, but I still won. It feels incredible to be champion again, so I am pleased with how it went today. On Sunday I will ride in the World Pro class to gain experience for next season."

Raga keeps his title hopes alive

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 20:33:00 +0200

Adam Raga - Gas Gas kept his title hopes alive as he took an emphatic win on the first day of the European Trial Grand Prix held at Isola 2000, France. Whilst Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa, who finished as runner-up today, is still the favourite to take the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, he must now wait until tomorrow's final counting day to discover his fate. Albert Cabestany - Sherco made it an all Spanish podium by taking third spot, on a day when rain played havoc with the event. Almost identical conditions defined the 2009 GP held at the same venue and as on the previous occasion it was Raga who correctly predicted the arrival of the rain and made a run for home as early as the second section on the first lap. The Gas Gas rider and eventual victor was at section twelve on his second lap when the rain arrived, whilst Bou was running nearly forty-five minutes behind him and suffering as the hazards became incredibly slippery. Raga's lap scores of six and five confirmed he had made the correct decision to race ahead, especially when compared to Bou's tallies of seven and then nineteen. Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa was the second fastest finisher in the World Pro class, but he wrecked his chances of a podium finish after a poor opening lap left him down in fifth position and way off the leading pace. Although the Japanese rider produced a better closing lap performance, the damage had been done and he was unable to move up the rankings. Cabestany rode a calculated Trial to take the last rostrum spot, as Jeroni Fajardo - Ossa incredibly managed to salvage fourth place despite losing nearly an hour to running repairs when his factory machine once again experienced serious mechanical problems. Jack Challoner - Beta recorded his best result of the season to date in sixth position by beating his British compatriot Michael Brown - Gas Gas on a most cleans tie break. Whilst Bou must wait until tomorrow to be potentially crowned champion, Alfredo Gomez - Montesa was in no mood to wait to seal his title as he wrapped up the Junior Championship thanks to his fifth win of the season. Gomez took the victory by just two marks from French rider Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco who gave the home fans plenty to cheer about as he placed as runner-up on the day. Pol Tarres - Gas Gas took an important third spot in the Junior division and now sits only one point ahead of Francesc Moret - Montesa in the general standings as these two Spanish youngsters continue to fight it out to become vice champion tomorrow. Gomez will ride in the World Pro class on Sunday ready for his move to this category next season. With the injured and already crowned Youth champion Jack Sheppard - Beta watching on, home rider Cedric Tempier - Sherco recorded a massive win to claim second place in the championship standings irrespective of his result tomorrow. Steven Coquelin - Gas Gas made it a French 1-2 as he took the runners-up spot today by finishing seven marks in front of Giacomo Saleri - Beta who finished in third position. Bou has a ten point lead over Raga going into tomorrow's final counting day of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. With more rain forecast, all is set for an exciting climax to the series. World
1: Raga 11
2: Bou 26
3: Cabestany 50
4: Fajardo 58
5: Fujinami 59

Junior
1: Gomez 20
2: Ferrer 22
3: Tarres 28
4: Dagnicourt 42
5: Traviesa 49

Youth 125cc
1: Tempier 6
2: Coquelin 21
3: Saleri 28
4: Karlsson 31
5: Cox 58

2011 FIM Riders Championship
World
1: Bou 184
2: Raga 174
3: Fujinami 142
4: Fajardo 115
5: Cabestany 114

Junior
1: Gomez 144
2: Tarres 116
3: Moret 115
4: Dagnicourt 98
5: Ferrer 83

Youth 125cc
1: Sheppard 169
2: Tempier 140
3: Saleri 114
4: Coquelin 112
5: Martin J 87 2011 FIM Manufacturers Championship
Current Standings:
1: Montesa 326
2: Gas Gas 268
3: Beta 148
4: Sherco 138
5: Ossa 115

Trial GP of Europe – A brief history

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 13:24:00 +0200

The Trial GP of Europe marks the second visit to France for the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. The organisers of this weekend's event at the ski resort of Isola 2000 stepped in at short notice after the original final round in Poland was cancelled due to land damage in the area caused by heavy rains in the region. It is very much a case of déjà vu for the riders, teams, officials, media, industry and fans alike as the same venue was used to bring the 2009 season to a close. France has long been an important stop on the World Trial tour with the country having hosted an event every year ever since the global series started proper back in 1975. Mick Andrews was the winner of the first ever-French Trial GP back then. Other winners then followed as Malcolm Rathmell, Ulf Karlson, and Bernie Schreiber who were also amongst the initial victors at the French GP, before the home nation took hold. French riders Gilles Burgat and Thierry Michaud dominated their home round during the early and mid eighties, however it was Thierry Girard who was the last French winner on home soil back in 1988. Here in 2011, Loris Gubian – Gas Gas is the best hope for the home fans, and will count on their support over the next two days.

Isola 2000 revisited

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:46:00 +0200

This coming weekend sees the town of Isola 2000 in France stage the final round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship.

Marking the third two-day event to feature in this year's campaign and with double points on offer, fifty-eight riders from thirteen different countries are set to gather in the alpine settlement in order to fight for the remaining two titles on offer.

This impressive venue last featured in the FIM Trial calendar in 2009 when it also hosted the final leg of the 2009 World outdoor tour. On that occasion it was Adam Raga – Gas Gas who topped the podium whilst current series leader Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa could only manage fourth. Adam was also joined on the rostrum by Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa and Jeroni Fajardo – Beta respectively. With Raga currently sitting second in the general standings, thirteen points behind compatriot Bou, Isola 2000 will provide the Gas Gas teamster with one last chance at snatching the title.

In the highly competitive Junior category, current series leader Alfredo Gomez – Montesa will be hoping to repeat the kind of performance that saw him reach the top step of the rostrum at this venue back in 2009. Eventually ending that season runner-up to Alexz Wigg – Sherco, Gomez currently leads this year's bid for the Junior championship by fourteen points from Francesc Moret - Montesa.

2 Day European GP to decide title

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:42:00 +0200

This coming weekend celebrates the eighth and final round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship as the series arrives in Isola 2000, France. Absent from last season's calendar, the French venue makes a welcome return to the series and will ultimately decide this year's two remaining titles that are yet to be settled. Marking the third two-day event to feature in the 2011 campaign and with double points on offer, all is still to be played for with several key battles yet to be determined.

Four months after this year's title race commenced and having passed through seven different countries, Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa is tantalisingly close to lifting his fifth consecutive outdoor World crown. With a comfortable thirteen point advantage over his nearest rival, the twenty-four year old is in a strong position entering the final round of the series, although history would suggest that the experienced Spaniard will not rest until he is declared victorious once again.

Spanish compatriot Adam Raga – Gas Gas will look to carry his good form on from two weeks prior when he claimed 2 -1 at the Japanese GP. The twenty-nine year old ex FIM World champion shares a successful relationship with Isola 2000 after reaching the top step of the rostrum at this venue in 2009. On that occasion Bou could only manage fourth, a situation that Raga will be hoping is repeated this time around if he is to have one last gasp at snatching the title from the reigning champion.

Veteran campaigner Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa currently finds himself positioned third in the general standings, twenty-three points behind Raga. Despite the sizeable gap Fujinami is all too aware that anything can happen in this extremely unpredictable discipline and is sure to continue to fight until the very last section.

After experiencing a largely frustrating season to date, Jeroni Fajardo – Ossa will look to put his bad fortune behind him and strengthen his current fourth place position in the championship. With Albert Cabestany – Sherco trailing Fajardo by only three points in fifth spot, the final leg of the series may turn out to be one of the most important battles yet for this Spanish duo.

Further down the championship standings the competition remains as close as ever, with Loris Gubian – Gas Gas, Michael Brown – Gas Gas and James Dabill – Beta in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively. With only five points separating these three young pretenders the championship remains wide open and it is perhaps Michael who is favourite to come out on top after recording fifth in Japan, which was his best ever GP result.

As has been the case since the opening round of the series, Spain's Alfredo Gomez – Montesa continues to lead the highly competitive Junior category, currently holding a healthy nineteen point advantage over his nearest rival. Although Gomez maybe favourite to lift the title, countrymen Francesc Moret – Montesa and Pol Tarres – Gas Gas are placed second and third respectively and with only four points between the pair there is still everything to play for this weekend.

After an intense battle during the first seven rounds of the series, Britain's Jack Sheppard – Beta claimed the 2011 SPEA FIM Youth Trial World Championship in Japan. With this in mind Cedric Tempier – Sherco will be keen to produce two strong performances on home soil in order to secure the runners-up position. Whilst the title may have already been decided, just four points separate Giacomo Saleri – Beta and Steven Coquelin – Gas Gas who are currently third and fourth respectively, meaning that the fight for the final championship rostrum position is far from over.

So with two-days of action ahead, Isola 2000 is set to stage a fitting climax to the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship.

Gubian aims high at Europe GP

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:14:00 +0200

Twenty-two year old Loris Gubian – Gas Gas will arrive in his home country this weekend looking to secure his current sixth place position in the general standings as the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship comes to a close at Isola 2000, France. Located in the southern French Alps around ninety kilometres north of Nice, the settlement is a popular ski resort built in the late 1960's, although the surrounding terrain also lends itself perfectly to the discipline of Trial.

First joining the World championship scene in 2005, Gubian quickly established himself in the Youth category, taking the runners-up spot for two consecutive seasons. Progressing up to the highly competitive Junior class in 2007, the young Frenchman ended his debut year in sixth place overall. It was the following year that the then nineteen-year old first experienced the sweet taste of success, lifting the 2008 FIM Junior Trial World Championship.

Signing for Spanish manufacturer Gas Gas and advancing into the World Pro class in 2009 Gubian instantly impressed by setting a clear level of consistency with his results. Finishing ninth at the end of the year, Loris went on to record the same result at the end of 2010. This year has seen a vast improvement in his level of riding, currently finding himself positioned sixth in the general standings.

Despite his positive 2011 season Loris is only three points clear of Michael Brown – Gas Gas and five points ahead of James Dabill – Beta who are placed seventh and eighth respectively. Aware that both of these British riders will be looking to move up the championship standings this weekend, Gubian must produce a strong performance and take advantage of the double points on offer if he is to hold on to his current position.

Yet to record his first top five finish, the Gas Gas teamster will look to use the increased motivation of home support this weekend in order to realise his career goal. With Albert Cabestany – Sherco a clear twenty-five points ahead of him in fifth, Gubian remains focused that sixth place in the final rankings is where he wants to be.

"My main objective this weekend is to finish in front of Michael (Brown) and James (Dabill), sixth place overall is the most important thing to me. I have experienced a good year so far and want to produce another good ride in my home country. I have ridden at Isola 2000 once before and like the venue very much. I remember from last time that the sections require much power, but that makes it a nice Trial."

"For sure next season my target is to ride inside the top five of the championship, but I know I will have to find a big increase in ability. I think I have improved a lot this year and I want to continue to progress in 2012. Hopefully I can spend some time in Spain with Adam (Raga) and Takahisa (Fujinami) next year. I think spending time in Spain is very important because this is where all of the good riders are coming from, but for now my focus is on finishing sixth this year."

Raga rewarded in Japan

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:43:00 +0200

Adam Raga - Gas Gas was one of the leading and strongest voices in terms of supporting the rescheduled Japanese Trial Grand Prix. The twenty-nine year old Spanish rider was richly rewarded during his visit to Motegi with an important victory on day two of the event. Raga's third victory of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship now leaves him with an outside chance of stealing the title from series leader Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa at the final round in France in two weeks time.

Raga was realistic about his current position. "We'll see. The thing is if I could have won both days in Japan then the gap would only be ten points. Now it's thirteen points, with two counting days to go, so it's quite a lot. Anyway, Toni has to make sure he does not have a crash, or not to break the bike, and these things do not let you sleep very well. But from his side, for sure he is hoping nothing like that happens. From my side, I will try to win both days in France and to keep up the pressure right to the end. So let's see what happens."

Raga strikes back on a wet second day

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:53:00 +0200

Adam Raga – Gas Gas was the master of the mud in Motegi today, scoring his third victory of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship by riding smartly in some of the most difficult conditions of the year. Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa survived a frightening first lap fall in the treacherous tenth section, made more so by a steady light rain. The Japanese rider initially thought his season was over, but he rebounded to finish the Trial superbly and take second. Team-mate Toni Bou struggled throughout the day, but leaves Japan with a thirteen point championship lead over Raga with only the final two day round in France remaining. For the second day in a row, Yamaha rider Kenichi Kuroyama was the best of the local Japanese riders. Fifth on Saturday, today he came fourth. Spanish rider Jeroni Fajardo – Ossa, was fourth a day earlier, but he also fell victim to the muddy course and dropped to ninth place. Michael Brown – Gas Gas improved four spots on his Saturday performance by finishing fifth, eight marks behind Kuroyama and fourteen in front of the second Yamaha rider, Fumitaka Nozaki, who was seventh on Saturday. Nozaki beat fellow countryman Tomoyuki Ogawa – Honda by a single mark for sixth today. French rider Loris Gubian – Gas Gas dropped to eighth from his Saturday sixth, with Fajardo ninth and Tsuyoshi Ogawa – Beta was the tenth placed finisher. The fifteen hazard course was soaked by overnight rain which continued throughout the day. Most of the time it was a light, misty rain until the start of the second lap when it intensified. Even before the rain, the organisers had adjusted six of the fifteen hazards to make them easier. The changes provided mixed results, with section fourteen taking fewer fives, but the early section three remaining as difficult as ever. After five sections of the first lap it appeared Fujinami might be in for his first win of the year. Raga had taken three consecutive fives in sections three, four, and five, as had Bou. Fujinami escaped with only a nine mark loss heading to section six, which is where Raga found his form. The Spaniard went on a run, cleaning every section from the sixth through to twelve to take command of the Trial. Only a three in section thirteen and a single mark lost in the previously unmanageable fourteenth hazard prevented him from a clean sweep. Meanwhile, Bou was struggling. He lost marks in all but four sections, and had an uncharacteristic four fives in the span of five hazards. With a deficit of ten marks to the leader Raga, he was resigned to finish third. Raga nearly matched his own first lap run of seven cleans in succession. He would have, if not for section ten. From there to the end he was nearly perfect, only losing three marks in fourteen to finish with twenty-one on the lap and forty-one for the day. That was ten better than Fujinami whose second lap score went up to nineteen. Bou added thirty-one to his first lap thirty to tally sixty-one on the day. In the Junior competition, Nomoto Yoshiaki – Beta and Gianluca Tournour – Gas Gas traded places, with Yoshiaki taking Sunday's win from Saturday's winner Tournour. Nomoto finished with eighty-six marks to ninety-nine for Tournour. Shinya Fujiwara – Honda, was third with one hundred and four marks, which was thirty-nine less than his Saturday performance. Jack Sheppard – Beta became Britain's newest FIM World champion by clinching the Youth title with a commanding victory. The eighteen-year old added a second day win to Saturday's first, and by a wider margin. Sheppard won by twenty-one marks on Saturday, today it was forty-five. Sheppard's twenty-six marks lost were nearly a third of the total of second best Jesus Martin – Gas Gas who lost seventy-one. Third place, another eight marks down, was Ignacio Martin – Gas Gas. Results:

World
1: Raga 41
2: Fujinami 51
3: Bou 61
4: Kuroyama 75
5: Brown 83

Junior
1: Nomoto 86
2: Tournour 99
3: Fujiwara 104
4: Takiguchi 113
5: Kira 125

Youth 125cc
1: Sheppard 26
2: Martin J 71
3: Martin I 79
4: Ogami 146

2011 FIM Riders Championship
Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 167
2: Raga 154
3: Fujinami 131
4: Fajardo 102
5: Cabestany 99

Junior
1: Gomez 124
2: Moret 105
3: Tarres 101
4: Dagnicourt 85
5: Borrellas 71

Youth 125cc
1: Sheppard 169 (champion)
2: Tempier 120
3: Saleri 99
4: Coquelin 95
5: Martin J 812011 FIM Manufacturers Championship
Current Standings:
1: Montesa 298
2: Gas Gas 239
3: Beta 132
4: Sherco 123
5: Ossa 102

Sheppard wins Youth title

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:26:00 +0200

Eighteen-year old Jack Sheppard - Beta became the first rider to collect his 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship prize, as he wrapped up the Youth class by winning the second day of the Japanese Trial Grand Prix held at the impressive Motegi Twin Ring circuit. With both the Youth and Junior riders able to drop their worst two scores in the title race, the British teenager is now likely to miss the final round in France early next month to under go an operation on his right wrist, which has troubled him all season. Sheppard stated. "I am just happy to have got the job done. This is what we set out to achieve at the start of the year and now it has come true. My biggest feeling at the moment is relief, as my wrist has been a real worry and no one including me, knew if it would be good enough to make it to the finish." "Obviously I am incredibly happy with the title won, however I am now already thinking about the next big challenge and that is getting my wrist operated on as soon as possible and then starting on the long road to recovery so that I can be fit and ready for next season." Ended the new young champion.

Bou rules on opening day

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:55:00 +0200

Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa moved a step closer to clinching his fifth consecutive oudoor title with a win under difficult conditions in the seventh round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship held at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan. Bou made the most of the course, which had been soaked by overnight rain, to beat fellow countryman Adam Raga – Gas Gas by a single mark at the end of the overcast and humid day. Raga made two critical errors early on the second lap that put him at a deficit from which he was not able to recover. Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa finished a popular third in front of his countrymen, though he wasn't happy with his riding. Fujinami got off to a difficult start and played catch-up the rest of the day. He took a five by touching a flag in the marks-taking section three on lap one, then he took another second five when he failed to clear the first boulder in section four. By the end of the lap he was twelve marks down on the leader and fighting for third. He earned his fifth podium of the year by one mark when Jeroni Fajardo – Ossa took a five in the last hazard, the stadium section that ended the lap. Kenichi Kuroyama – Yamaha was also in contention for the final podium spot until he took fives in the final two sections. Kuroyama was the first of the local Japanese riders. French rider Loris Gubian – Gas Gas finished sixth in front of Fumitaka Nozaki – Yamaha, the team-mate of Kuroyama. Tomoyuki Ogawa – Honda improved with his second lap to finish eighth and edge out series regular Michael Brown – Gas Gas by a single mark. The last rider in the top ten was Japanese rider Tsuyoshi Ogawa – Honda. Bou and Raga went head-to-head, with Raga finishing the first lap with fourteen marks, the day's lowest lap score and one better than Bou's first lap. It was an especially impressive score since Raga was the first rider out and had to deal with the two or three centimetres of mud that lined the hills. But after the entire field ravaged the hazards ahead of the second lap, the conditions worsened considerably. Raga's chances for victory were compromised early on lap two. In the first half of the fourth section he was brilliant, but he was foiled trying to clear a boulder in the section's second half, resulting in a five. That, and a one in the following section, were the marks he most regretted in his single mark defeat. The victory was Bou's sixth in eight counting days this year and his sixth in the last seven days in Japan. Toni now holds an eighteen point lead over Raga in the general standings. In the Junior class the rostrum was led by Gianluca Tournour – Gas Gas, the Italian showing his experience to the mostly Japanese field. Tournour finished with ninety-eight marks to one hundred and ten for Yoshiaki Nomoto – Beta and one hundred and twenty-seven for third placed Hikaru Takiguchi – Scorpa. Jack Sheppard - Beta continued a season of all podium finishes by taking his fifth win in eight counting days in the Youth category. Sheppard easily outscored second best Jesus Martin – Gas Gas by turning in the two best laps of the field. With only tomorrow's Trial and the final round in France remaining, Sheppard stands poised to win the Youth title in twenty four hours time. Ignacio Martin – Gas Gas finished third, ten marks behind fellow Spaniard Martin.

Kuroyama big in Japan

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:43:00 +0200

Having recently turned Thirty-three years old, Kenichi Kuroyama – Yamaha made a welcomed return to the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship as he placed fifth on the opening day of the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi that marked round seven and the penultimate stop of the current series. Absent as a regular contender on the World scene since 2005, the ever-smiling Kuroyama however remains a title challenger in the Japanese domestic series having won the second round of the 2011 campaign earlier this month. Finishing on half the marks of his nearest rival on that occasion, the veteran campaigner continues to show the kind of form that made him a top World runner back in the late nineties. Kenichi's strongest run in the then FIM Trial World Championship came during 1996, 1997 and 1998 when he finished fourth, third and third respectively in the final rankings over a three year period. However a nasty crash early in 1999 when he sustained two broken wrists due to a fall at Sheffield Indoor trial was to halt his progress and ultimately change the direction of his career. With most of 1999 lost to injury Kuroyama managed to secure a top five finish in the 2000 final standings before he began to slide down the order and finally retire from the World scene in 2005.

Lampkin to sit out Japanese Trial GP

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:54:00 +0200

Despite his best efforts thirty-five year old Dougie Lampkin has been forced to sit out of this weekend's Japanese Trial Grand Prix. Having initially suffered a serious ankle injury at the Scottish Six Days Trial in May, the twelve times FIM Trial World Champion has struggled to fully recover from the damage done to his ligaments, which have kept him at bay most of the season.

The Trial GP at Motegi remains amongst Lampkin's favorite events, with the now veteran campaigner having won the initial three Grand Prix Trial competitions that were hosted at this great facility during 2000, 2001 and 2002. Whilst Dougie will not compete this weekend, he will still be present at Motegi in his role as Gas Gas team manager and rider mentor.

Talking about the situation Dougie said, "Obviously I'm disappointed not to be riding in Japan, it is a great event and somewhere I have previously won, however my ankle just isn't right and won't let me be competitive. We need to turn this situation into something positive and I feel I can help Adam in his championship campaign. He is a great rider and proved that in France when he took a strong win. I'll also be in a position to help the other Gas Gas riders such as Loris Gubian and Michael Brown should they need it, so it will still be a very worthwhile trip for me."

Japan - Double points up for grabs

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:52:00 +0200

This weekend marks the seventh round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, as the series heads to the Twin Ring race circuit in Motegi, Japan. This event was originally scheduled for early June, but following the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the region back in March, the Grand Prix of Japan was postponed to later in the season in order to allow the country sufficient time to recover from this huge natural disaster. Whilst August is normally a month of rest in the FIM Trial calendar, the teams and riders have showed their support for their Japanese colleagues by committing to this revised date.

The two day event means that there will be double points on offer in Japan, so this Grand Prix will play an important role in defining the various title fights that have developed throughout the season so far. One man who will be looking to make the most of this situation will be Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa. The usually calm and collected Spaniard was forced to relinquish his favoured position at the top of the rostrum at the last counting event in Great Britain. Although still holding a comfortable fifteen point advantage over his rivals at the head of the general standings, Bou will know that the Japanese Grand Prix will be no easy task after having finished as runner-up to Adam Raga – Gas Gas during the second day of this event last year.

Whilst Bou aims to get back to his winning ways, Raga will seek to carry his newfound confidence through to Motegi, after claiming his second victory of the season at the British GP three weeks ago. Having only finished off the podium once so far this season, Raga has built a comfortable eighteen-point buffer between himself and third placed Albert Cabestany – Sherco.

Another rider looking to put himself amongst the front runners at the Japanese GP will be Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa. A couple of good results in front of his home fans will allow the popular challenger to leapfrog Albert Cabestany – Sherco in the general standings as this veteran pairing continue to slog it out for third place in the series.

Further down the World Pro category Jeroni Fajardo – Ossa will be hoping to put a disastrous British GP behind him where he recorded his worst result of the season, finishing seventh. After placing an impressive 2-3 in Japan last year, the Spaniard will look to recreate his form of old. Meanwhile British riders James Dabill – Beta and Michael Brown – Gas Gas remain positioned in sixth and eighth respectively with sixteen points between them and currently separated by Frenchman Loris Gubian – Gas Gas in seventh.

Despite having failed to reach the top step of the podium at his last three attempts after a dominant opening to the season, Spaniard Alfredo Gomez – Montesa continues to lead the Junior class, holding a solid nineteen point advantage over compatriot Francesc Moret – Montesa in second. Third placed Pol Tarres – Gas Gas will look to reproduce the kind of performance that witnessed him take his first victory of the season at the previous round of the series at Fort William.

In the Youth category Jack Sheppard – Beta holds a nine-point margin over second placed Cedric Tempier – Sherco. Between them this young duo have claimed each and every victory so far this season. With only a small advantage over his rivals and with double points up for grabs, Sheppard knows he must produce a strong ride in Japan if he is going to lift the Youth title. With only one round remaining after Japan, all riders in all classes will recognise the importance of this long haul competition.

Japan - Fujinami hopes success at home Trial GP

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:32:00 +0200

Seasoned campaigner Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa will look to record a strong result at his home Grand Prix this weekend, as the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship lands in Japan for the seventh round of the series. Despite approaching the closing chapter of his professional career, Fujinami remains a serious threat to his rivals having already reached the podium four times so far this season.

This weekend celebrates the twelfth consecutive year that the Twin Ring Motegi venue has featured on the FIM Trial calendar. Despite the recent natural disasters that have affected Japan, the circuit and its surrounding infrastructure that was originally built by Honda in 1997, remains a truly first class facility. Fujinami and his team-mate Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa will both be fully focused on a strong showing as they travel to the home of HRC, with this being the second of three, two-day events to feature on this year's FIM Trial calendar.

Although series leader Bou might be favourite to take victory in Japan, Fujinami cannot be dismissed and will be riding with increased motivation after finishing off the rostrum and in fourth place during both days of last year's Japanese GP, something he will be keen to rectify this time around. Previous to this, the much loved thirty-one year old, who is affectionately known as 'Fujigas', held an astonishing success rate at the circuit, only finishing outside of the top three once since the venue was first introduced to the championship in 2000.

Fujinami is aware that despite being an immense talent, Bou is only human and the Spaniard has already shown a small weakness when under pressure, having been beaten twice previously this season. Should Bou not be at his best, then the Japanese protagonist will look to be the first in line to capitalise on his team-mate's loss of form. Fujinami, who won his first and only outdoor World title in 2004 and has since finished in the top three overall every year since, currently finds himself placed fourth in the general standings, on equal points with third placed Albert Cabestany – Sherco.

So far this season Fujinami's efforts have been plagued by inconsistency. Riding to a third place finish at the opening round of the series in Germany provided him with a good base on which to build his 2011 campaign, but disappointing results at the following three legs of the championship dampened his title hopes. A determined performance at the fourth round in Andorra saw the ex World champion record his best result of the season to date, claiming the runners-up spot behind Bou. Following this, a further two third place finishes in Italy and Great Britain have gone some way to repairing Fujinami's crusade, though he will be all too aware that his final ranking in the championship could well be determined by his performance in Japan.

With double points up for grabs and a top three position in the championship standings within reach, Fujinami will arrive in Japan looking for gold. Although he has so far failed to achieve his first win of the season, spurred on by home support, Fujigas may just produce the kind of standout performance that last saw him take victory at the British GP in 2010.

Raga topples Bou

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:44:00 +0200

The sixth round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, held in Fort William, Scotland, bore witness to Adam Raga's – Gas Gas second win of the season, as the Spanish rider claimed victory ahead of series leader and compatriot Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa. Adam remains the only rider to have beaten Toni in this year's campaign, after taking his first triumph at the opening day of the French Grand Prix earlier in the season.

Delighted with his result Raga said, "For sure I am very happy with my result today. Last year I made two fourth places here, the worst two results in my season so my result today is great. I won from Toni by only one mark and we made a big gap from the rest of the riders, which shows there are really only two riders at the top."

"For sure the sections at the top of the mountain became slippery and required maximum concentration until the end of the Trial. Also they show that you can have sections that are not dangerous, but take lots of marks from all of the riders. Martin Lampkin is a very experienced man and he has done a great job with making the sections," he concluded.

Raga wins in Fort William

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:35:00 +0200

A determined Adam Raga - Gas Gas outclassed reigning World Champion Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa to win by a single mark at round six of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, held in Fort William, Scotland. Wet conditions had threatened to ruin the British Grand Prix, but if anything the rain gave the Trial an added dimension and proved the catalyst for a nail-biting finish in all three categories.

Few could argue that Raga did not deserve his second victory of the season after what was an accomplished performance. The Spaniard capitalised on Bou's mistakes during lap one and calmly maintained his advantage during the second circulation to earn his place on the top step of the podium ahead of runner-up Bou and his team-mate Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa, in third.

While Raga was on form from the off song Bou who looked tense in the early stages. Uncharacteristically he fived three sections during the opening lap, which left the reigning World Champion with too much to do on lap two. Although his second outing saw him record the lowest lap score of the day in increasingly tricky conditions, it was not enough to prevent Raga's one-mark triumph.

Behind the battling Spanish duo Fujinami, who had led the Trial early on, had a fight of his own with Albert Cabestany - Sherco. The two championship veterans were locked in a war of attrition for third place after Cabestany ramped up the pressure during the second lap. It was not enough though and the Spaniard eventually finished just one mark adrift of the experienced Japanese rider, who had played it relatively safe in the latter stages to ensure his fourth podium finish of the series.

James Dabill - Beta was the best-placed home rider in fifth thanks to a confident second lap. A good distance behind him in sixth place, was fellow Brit Michael Brown - Gas Gas, who finished ahead of an out-of-sorts Jeroni Fajardo - Ossa. Crowd favourite Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas was eighth, one better than his up-and-coming countryman Jack Challoner - Beta. French youngster Loris Gubian - Gas Gas rounded out the top ten.

Things were equally tight in the Junior division too, with Pol Tarres - Gas Gas and Alfredo Gomez - Montesa tied on points come the end of an exciting two-lap dual. Tarres was declared the outright victor courtesy of his fifteen cleans to Gomez's fourteen, as he claimed his first win in this class. Fransec Moret - Montesa finished third, ten points adrift, to make it an all-Spanish podium. Gomez still heads the overall standings by a healthy nineteen points.

The British fans had something to cheer about in the Youth class thanks to emerging starlet Jack Sheppard - Beta, who romped home with a clear seven-mark margin over runner-up Steven Coquelin - Gas Gas. It was yet another close battle for third place, with Giacomo Saleri - Beta eventually beating Cedric Tempier - Sherco thanks to a 'most cleans' tiebreak. Sheppards's fourth win of the season sees him move nine points clear of Tempier as the championship heads to Japan towards the end of next month.

Results :

World
1: Raga 30
2: Bou 31
3: Fujinami 49
4: Cabestany 50
5: Dabill 61

Junior
1: Tarres 36
2: Gomez 36
3: Moret 46
4: Ferrer 56
5: Dagnicourt 56

Youth 125cc
1: Sheppard 51
2: Coquelin 58
3: Saleri 62
4: Tempier 62
5: Stay 73

2011 FIM Riders Championship

Current Standings:

World
1: Bou 132
2: Raga 117
3: Cabestany 99
4: Fujinami 99
5: Fajardo 82

Junior
1: Gomez 124
2: Moret 105
3: Tarres 101
4: Dagnicourt 85
5: Borrellas 71

Youth 125cc
1: Sheppard 129
2: Tempier 120
3: Saleri 99
4: Coquelin 95
5: Thomas 49

2011 FIM Manufacturers Championship

Current Standings:

1: Montesa 231
2: Gas Gas 181
3: Sherco 123
4: Beta 121
5: Ossa 82