Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme : FIM Trial des Nations

Unstoppable Bou speaks

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:31:00 +0100

Fresh from his latest win in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa was obviously delighted with his third win in a row at the recent event held in Marseille, France. "I am very happy with my riding at the moment," said Bou. "For me, I would say I am riding better now than at any other time in my career. I am feeling good and I have a good rhythm. I also have a very good bike and a team that works hard to make sure I have everything I need to compete at the highest level, and this is also very important." "The hazards in Marseille were hard, there were some big steps and the sections were long. But I enjoyed this. It is good that the venue is small too, as the atmosphere is always good and you can hear the crowd cheering. This always encourages a rider and for me it is no different." "There is now a break in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, but I will not take a holiday. It is an opportunity for me to keep working hard and pushing myself to do even better. I want to come back strong in Madrid and maintain my perfect record in the series. Of course it will not be easy when Adam (Raga) and others are riding well, but I am at a good level this year and I aim to stay at this level."

Bou makes it three wins in a row

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:11:00 +0100

An exquisite Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa proved once again why he is head and shoulders above his rivals as he completed his two-night dominance at round three of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Marseille, France. The unrelenting Catalan outclassed his challengers for the second night in a row, cruising to a comfortable victory five marks clear of runner-up Adam Raga - Gas Gas. Albert Cabestany - Sherco completed the all-Spanish podium at the Palais des Sports arena, seven marks adrift of his slightly younger arch-rival and compatriot. Bou laid bare his intent twenty-four hours earlier as he emerged from seven difficult sections during qualification having amassed just four marks. Despite picking up a further two courtesy of a time penalty no others came close to his score, the tough course punishing the World's best Trial riders for the smallest of mistakes. Bou was the sole rider not to five section three, and the only rider not to pick up maximum marks in at least one section. Raga, meanwhile, was riding well. He was the best of the rest on Friday night, but Cabestany was close behind, setting the scene for a tense showdown between the two Spaniards in Saturday's final. The gruelling hazards took their toll on some of the less experienced protagonists, with Michael Brown - Gas Gas fiving every section in qualification and Alfredo Gomez – Montesa fairing little better. Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco performed a touch better, but was punished heavily for time, while Pol Tarres - Jotagas showed glimpses of promises on his JTG debut. All four failed to progress to Saturday's semi-final. Loris Gubian - Gas Gas roused his home crowd with an inspired performance on Friday. However, the Frenchman's luck ran out in the semifinal as he was relegated alongside Jeroni Fajardo - Beta. The latter was extremely disappointed with his below par performance. Come the final Bou made a rare mistake, losing his balance in section five and picking up maximum points. It was his sole error in what was one of his most polished rides this season. Bou's team mate, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa was less graceful over the big steps. The Japanese rider's flamboyant style and over-enthusiasm saw him crash out of a dual lane race spectacularly, his bike flying over the crowd barriers to gasps from the audience. It was the most dramatic of his exploits over the two-day event, and it resulted in a fourth place finish. Cabestany was angry at himself for making a handful of uncharacteristic mistakes on Saturday night. His third place was by no means a disaster, but it does mean he leaves Marseille tied on points with Raga in the championship standings. Raga was more upbeat and satisfied with his riding. The series now takes a five-week break before commencing again in Madrid in early

David Rodgers, managing the stage

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0100

Having spent his lifetime in and around Trial, from riding, minding, and most recently organising international events in his homeland of Northern Ireland, David Rodgers is well qualified to fulfil his new role as Stage Manager at all rounds of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship. Rodgers was a natural fit for the Stage Manager position, having attended a brace of events last year shadowing former Stage Manager, and now Trial Commission Director, Dave Willoughby. Rodgers' background, which saw him coordinate the Trial Grand Prix of Ireland in 2008 and 2009 as Clerk of the Course, and mange the 2005 and 2006 FIM Indoor Trial World Championship inBelfast, means there are few more suited to his current role. "I work closely with the Television Stage Manager, Toni Campins, to ensure the best image of Trial is preserved throughout the event," said Rodgers. "That involves liaising with Toni, the referee - Anders Minken - the riders and their minders. I ensure that each rider is at the correct section, in the right order, at any given time. It is my responsibility to make sure we are adhering to our strict time schedule, which is important as the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship is normally broadcast live on television."

Bou storms qualification in Marseille

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:48:00 +0100

A confident and relaxed looking Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa strolled through qualification during the first-leg of a two-night trials extravaganza at round three of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, held in Marseille, France. Bou's dominance during the qualifying stages sent a clear message to his rivals, who had no answer to the five times Indoor / X-Trial World Champion's clinical display. The Catalan skipped through seven difficult sections at the expense of just four marks, two of which he picked up for going over time. Adam Raga - Gas Gas was second with nineteen marks, the margin highlighting Bou's accomplishment. Behind Raga the field was much closer, with Albert Cabestany - Sherco, Jeroni Fajardo - Beta, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa and Loris Gubian - Gas Gas each separated by a single mark. Gubian, on twenty-four, was in fine form in front of his home crowd and thoroughly deserved his place in the Saturday night programme. Eighteen-year-old Pol Tarres - Jotagas was seventh on his JTG debut, the talented youngster showing glimpses of real potential. One mark adrift of Tarres in eighth was Alfredo Gomez - Montesa, while Michael Brown - Gas Gas and Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco were both disappointed with their less competitive early exits, as they finished ninth and tenth respectively. The stage is now set for Bou to snatch his third victory from as many rounds unless one of his rivals wakes up on Saturday morning with some new-found form. 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship
Round 3 Marseille, France Qualification
1: Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa 4
2: Adam Raga - Gas Gas 19
3: Albert Cabestany - Sherco 21
4: Jeroni Fajardo - Beta 22
5: Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa 23
6: Loris Gubian - Gas Gas 24

Non qualifiers
7: Pol Tarres - Jotagas 32
8: Alfredo Gomez - Montesa 33
9: Michael Brown - Gas Gas 35
10: Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco 40
Semi-final and final will start at 21.00hrs local time on Saturday 28th January.

Tarres to debut Jotagas in Marseille

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:42:00 +0100

2010 FIM Youth Trial World Champion Pol Tarres will debut the brand new Jotagas JT 300 at round three of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, which kicks-off in the atmospheric Palais des Sports de Marseille arena this evening. The new Jotagas machine has been developed by seven time World Trial Champion Jordi Tarres - Pol's uncle - hence it bears the legendary Spanish rider's initials 'JT' in what is an overt and appreciative nod to his technical input. One of two wildcard riders at tonight's event in France, Pol will be keen to give the bike and his Spanish team a positive outing during the qualification stage of the two-leg event. "I am very happy with the performance of the bike, the team and the guys at the factory have done a great job with its development and I am really looking forward to the event," said the eighteen-year-old. "Of course I am a little nervous, as it is my first attempt. However, we are ready and I hope I can put together a good performance." "The JTG is very lightweight. Both the frame, the swing arm and the engine," continued Tarres. "The bike's evolution has been positive and testing has been going well - I am facing obstacles with surprising ease, so I cannot wait to get started."

Marseille - Ten plus one

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:13:00 +0100

When the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship rolls into Marseille for tomorrow's third round two-day clash, it will be the eleventh consecutive time that the Palais des Sports has staged a top level competition. Present in the calendar as far back as 2002 it was Marc Freixa - Sherco who was the victor on that occasion, which was to mark the start of a decade plus of Trial action in this French port city.

Adam Raga - Gas Gas was then to make this event his own over the next five years, winning all five on the bounce from 2003 to 2007 inclusive on route to him claiming his four FIM Indoor Trial World Championships. Runners-up to Raga over that period included Dougie Lampkin on a Montesa, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa, Albert Cabestany - Sherco and Jeroni Fajardo who was then Gas Gas mounted.

Although Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa was to dominate the sport from 2007 onwards, ironically Marseille was to prove a bogey venue for the Repsol rider as he was defeated three times in a row by Cabestany from 2008 through to 2010 inclusive. So Bou had to wait until late last January to record his first triumph in the Palais des Sports, and will want to add to that tally starting with a solid qualification tomorrow evening.

Marseille, Marseille so good they named it twice

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:52:00 +0100

There is no doubt that the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship has begun at speed with the trip to Marseille this coming weekend marking the third stop on the current tour in as many weekend's. Directly from the winter break, the World's elite Trial riders have been thrown immediately back into battle with the opening two bouts having been contested in Strasbourg, France and Geneva, Switzerland over the last two weeks.

Marseille will bring a new type of challenge to the competitors, with round three being held over two separate nights. Friday evening will see the action begin, as the eight fixed riders are joined by two wild card entrants for the qualification process. Only six successful candidates will progress to Saturday's main Trial, which once again will be broadcast live on FIM-TV.COM.

The new year may only still be relatively young, but already reigning FIM X-Trial World Champion Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa has resumed normal service and shown himself to be currently operating at another level compared to his rivals. His performances in Strasbourg and Geneva thus far have been pure class and can only serve to have demoralised the opposition so early in the campaign.

Behind Bou, the traditional battle to become the best of the rest has already begun to develop with compatriots Albert Cabestany - Sherco and Adam Raga - Gas Gas trading blows in the two rounds to date. Cabestany now holds the upper hand in the general standings as Raga's inconsistency returned in Geneva and left him without a podium placing.

A pair of spirited rides by the tour's oldest campaigner Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa sees him holding fourth spot in the series some ten points clear of Jeroni Fajardo - Beta and Loris Gubian - Gas Gas. Fajardo has yet to shine since switching back to the Italian factory, but has showed moments of promise. Whilst Gubian can count himself unlucky having missed out on a place in the final in Geneva after losing a three-way tie decider with Fujinami and Raga, as the more experienced duo transferred through to the sharp end of the event.

Michael Brown - Gas Gas and Alfredo Gomez - Montesa are the last of the permanent riders and must both up their game if they are to move beyond the qualification stage in Marseille. Their task will be made that bit tougher this weekend, as they have to contend with wild card entrants Alexandre Ferrer - Shero and Pol Tarres - Jotagas to book their place in the semifinal. Tarres will be making his debut on the new Spanish built machine, and hence will be looking to impress.

Although Bou will be ultra confident when he arrives in the southern French city, he will also be aware of Cabestany's uninterrupted winning run in this atmospheric and noisy arena from 2008 to 2010 inclusive. With the series set to pause for a month after Marseille and ahead of a trip to Madrid in early March, all the riders will know the importance of a good holding performance this coming weekend.

Fujinami heads back to Marseille, but with no fear

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:34:00 +0100

Fresh from his podium placing in Geneva, thirty-two-year-old Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa will have mixed emotions as he returns to Marseille, France for the third round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship this coming Friday and Saturday.

In the same small and compact arena, which sits on the outskirts of the city, the highly popular Japanese rider suffered what initially looked like a potential career ending crash just twelve months ago. Thankfully whilst Fujinami had to retire from the Trial part way through the final with a neck injury, he was back in action only two weeks later with no lasting damage having been done.

The southern French port city has not been a good hunting ground for Takahisa in more recent years with him having also failed to make it through to the semi-final in 2010 and having narrowly missed out on a podium finish in 2009, when he placed fourth. In an attempt to forget the accident he had whilst racing his team-mate Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa in the dual lane section last year, and his previously bad form in Marseille, Fujinami will approach the event this coming weekend with a different attitude.

"For sure I have some bad memories for what happened in Marseille last year, but it changes nothing as I will go there thinking only positive things and with no fear. Before the crash I was riding well and was in the final, so it was not all bad."

"Things will be different this year for sure, I have a good mentality and I am not thinking negative at all. I like the sections in Marseille they are very different from the Spanish sections and are better for me, as I have chance to be closer to the Spanish riders. In Marseille you always have some special sections with different materials which is good for me."

"Now I am the oldest rider in the FIM X-Trial World Championship, but I still want to continue to be a part of the series in the future. Hopefully this season I will get some good results and show why I should still be a part of the show. In Strasbourg I was close to second place so I was happy with this, and then I finally made it onto the podium in Geneva."

"I also want to continue with the X-Trial as it is important as part of my preparations for the outdoor championship. It is good to be riding against the best riders during these events so you can check your level before the outdoor events."

"You know I really enjoy X-Trial as it is a great show for the public and I always try to do my best to give them something extra, and I think my fans like it when I do this."

Takahisa's welcomed third place in Geneva last weekend was the first time he has visited the podium during an indoor / X-Trial campaign since February 2009, when he finished behind Bou and Raga respectively in Bolzano, Italy. The veteran protagonist will be hoping he can repeat this kind of performance in Marseille.

'Lucky' Bou relishes Geneva success

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0100

The Repsol riders, Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami, take the first and third position of the podium in the second round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship A new triumph for Toni Bou, this time at the Geneva Indoor Trial, second round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship that took place yesterday night. The Repsol rider had the situation under control in the Qualifying and showed his excellent from in the first zone of the semi-final, unreachable for all his rivals and that the several times champion was able to finish with only one point. A crash in the third obstacle did not prevent him from finishing that phase of the race as leader. He started the final round with a four-point advantage over his closes rival and finished it without increasing his penalty. With this new victory, Toni Bou increased by 13 points his advantage on top of the overall classification of this championship he has won the last five years. His team mate at the Repsol Montesa Honda, Takahisa Fujimani, achieved a valuable podium, tied with the second placed. The Japanese rider, who in the last race finished just outside the podium, finished the qualifying with 6 points and was able to stand his ground in the semi-final (11 points), finally achieving the second best score in the final round. The two Repsol riders had yesterday the visit of a special fan, the MotoGP rider of the Repsol Honda Team, Dani Pedrosa, who did not want to miss the opportunity to see the champions of this sport live. Toni Bou will defend his lead of the championship in the third round that will take place next Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, in the French city of Marseille. Toni Bou
"It was a complicated trial, as all rounds in the World Championship, as there is always a lot at stake. In the end we were lucky to have from the beginning a small difference from the previous phase. I knew I could not make mistakes but the advantage I had, small as it was, allowed me to face the decisive moments with confidence. Of course, I am very satisfied with this victory and with the beginning of the season". Takahisa Fujinami
"At Strasbourg last week I lost the podium for a very small difference and today I not only got the podium but I was very close to the second. There was so long since I got on the podium in an indoor round that today's podium feels like a victory. My beginning of the championship is being very positive and I will do my best to keep going like that".

Pedrosa enjoys X-Trial

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:47:00 +0100

MotoGP front-runner and Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa was an interested spectator at the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship event held in Geneva, Switzerland close to the headquarters of the FIM. Like many top-level road racers Dani is no stranger to playing on a Trial bike as part of his winter programme and hence could totally appreciate the skill of the riders in action. "These guys put on a really big show here this evening, it's amazing to see and I like it very much to watch these riders as it is so impressive. I certainly can't imagine me doing it, I just enjoy watching." "I try to ride Trial, but I do not look anything like these guys." "Toni is simply amazing. The things he is doing on the bike is totally crazy. He is a clear step ahead, but it is enjoyable to see." At the end of the evening Dani joined FIM President Vito Ippolito in presenting the prizes to the top three placed riders as Geneva hosted a round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship for the second year in a row. New FIM CEO Stephane Desprez was also present to experience his first event of this kind and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.Photos FIM/ Good-Shoot

Bou makes Geneva a one rider show

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:44:00 +0100

The home city of the FIM welcomed round two of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, with Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa taking his second successive victory in Geneva, Switzerland. Once again Bou was unstoppable and ran out an easy winner, as his rivals scrapped it out for the remaining podium places. Albert Cabestany - Sherco eventually took the runners-up spot after defeating Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa in a last section showdown. Adam Raga - Gas Gas was a disappointing fourth on this occasion after having headed Bou in qualification. During the pre-event press conference Raga explained how important it was to put Bou under pressure and that is exactly what the Gas Gas teamster did as he went clean during qualification to beat the series leader by a single mark. Toni had looked in devastating form once again until a rare mistake in the water and rock section spoilt his otherwise faultless tour. Jeroni Fajardo - Beta was the next best on a total of five marks as he failed the slabs, where only Raga, Bou and Fujinami went clean. Cabestany beat his Japanese rival in the tie-break to qualify in fourth spot, as both of the more experienced riders kept the younger Loris Gubian - Gas Gas at bay, with the French protagonist finishing in sixth to claim the last place in the semi-final. Michael Brown - Gas Gas made his evening slightly better as he defeated Jack Challoner - Beta in their tie break decider to take the points for seventh place. Alfredo Gomez - Montesa and Benoit Dagnicourt - Beta rounded out the qualifying results in ninth and tenth position respectively. For the second week in a row French section maestro Bernard Estripeau was again responsible for creating a course to test this elite gathering of Trial riders and that proved the case in the very first hazard of the semi-final. Toni once again exercised his superiority as he passed through the almost impossible concrete slabs for a dab, whilst the rest of the field were stopped in their tracks. After a relatively easy passage through the log section, all the protagonists then failed as they attempted the pallet steps in the reverse direction. Fajardo and Gubian were cruelly eliminated at this point as only two marks separated all but Bou. The Toni Bou show immediately resumed in the final, as he became the only rider to conquer the man-made mountain and in doing so stretched his advantage by another five marks. His winning margin was to grow to thirteen marks come the finish. Raga slipped off the Tag Heuer section late on to rule himself out of a rostrum place and to drop to third in the general standings. Cabestany and Fujinami, the two oldest riders on the tour, battled mark for mark with the Spanish veteran eventually snatching second spot by virtue of his better qualification placing. Cabestany now moves into second position in the series. Takahisa was still pleased to join his Repsol team-mate Bou on the podium after a long absence for the thirty-two-year-old. The top three riders will have no time to really enjoy their champagne as the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship moves swiftly on to Marseille, France for round three that will be held over next Friday and Saturday.

Alfredo Gomez - Is in Geneva!

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:08:00 +0100

Twenty-two-year-old Alfredo Gomez - Montesa was far from impressed with his performance at the opening round in Strasbourg, France last Friday, as he made his debut as a permanent rider in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship. A poor showing during qualification saw the young Spanish rider finish last and brought his evening to an early end. Having arrived in Geneva, Switzerland ahead of tonight's second round event Gomez was more positive about his chances this time out. "I was not happy with what happened in Strasbourg, and I need to do better this evening. Last week I made a bad mistake in the first section and from that point I became very nervous." "Tonight I want to make sure I can pass the qualification and make it to the semi-final, that is my first goal. After that I can be happy with my result." Alfredo has spent the last week skiing in Austria and looked relaxed as the riders inspected the hazards ready for tonight's competition. Gomez won the FIM Youth Trial World Championship back in 2007 and added to this when he won the FIM Junior Trial World Championship last season. Alfredo wrapped up his 2011 title with one counting day to spare, which allowed him to move up to the World Pro class for the final day of the French Grand Prix. His impact at the highest level was instant with an incredible seventh place finish at his first attempt. It is this kind of form that he hopes to repeat during the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship.

X-Trial in Geneva D Day!

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the world's top X-Trial riders give it their all at the Geneva Arena on Saturday 21 January from 6.30 pm!

After a hugely successful first edition in 2011, this year's Geneva X-Trial looks all set to be a stunning show, as the world's best X-Trial specialists compete in this second round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship. This is your chance to see Toni Bou, Michael Brown, Albert Cabestany, Jeroni Fajardo, Takahisa Fujinami, Alfredo Gomez, Loris Gubian and Adam Raga in action alongside wildcard riders Jack Challoner and Benoit Dagnicourt.

Tickets will be on sale at the Arena from 2 pm on Saturday.

Click here to see the Official programme!

Jack Challoner returns to Geneva

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:27:00 +0100

Twenty-one year old Jack Challoner - Beta will return to the Arena de Geneve tomorrow for a second time. Almost twelve months ago Jack placed sixth in Geneva when he was a permanent rider on the 2011 FIM X-Trial World Championship tour, after having qualified by winning the 2010 FIM Junior Trial World Championship. However despite finishing sixth overall during his debut season indoors, Challoner failed to re-qualify for this year's series as one of the eight-fixed rider. So Jack will be back in Geneva as one of two invited wild card entrants, the other being Benoit Dagnicourt - Beta, from France.

Having won both the FIM Youth World Trial Championship and the FIM Junior World Trial Championship during recent seasons, Britain's Jack Challoner is one of a new generation of young riders hoping to make their mark on a sport that is currently dominated by Spanish protagonists. Jack has already begun to establish himself amongst his peers by claiming a top ten ranking during his first season in the FIM Trial World Championship. However, Challoner will have to produce something special in 2012 if he is to continue his climb up the World order, starting with a strong performance in Geneva this time around.

X-Trial: Geneva is the scene for the second coming

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:01:00 +0100

Back in the calendar after an eleven year absence last year, Geneva, Switzerland will play host to the second round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship this Saturday evening. The Arena de Geneve, situated close to the international airport is once again set to welcome a capacity crowd to witness the heroic feats of this elite group of motorcycle riders. Series leader and reigning champion Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa will be looking to repeat the win he achieved here in February 2011, but will be up against nine other protagonists, all of whom will have their own battle plans.

Based on the form shown in Strasbourg last Friday, Bou will head to the beautiful Swiss city as the clear and deserved favourite. His ruthless destruction of the chasing field in France last week was a joy to be seen, that is unless you were one of his unfortunate rivals on that occasion. Adam Raga - Gas Gas was the closest challenger, although was still some way of Toni's winning pace. Adam eventually had to endure a tense passage through the closing section in Strasbourg to keep both Albert Cabestany - Sherco and Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa at bay, who finished third and fourth respectively.

All the riders will be expecting yet another tough test, as for the second week in a row French section wizard Bernard Estripeau will be responsible for devising a course to challenge Bou and co. Jeroni Fajardo - Beta will have benefitted from having had another week of training on his new bike, with the twenty-six year old having only recently returned to the Italian based Beta squad. In Geneva last year, Fajardo scored his first podium spot of the season and the first ever rostrum finish at this level for the re-born Ossa team. Jeroni is sure to be looking to repeat this kind of form when he returns to Switzerland this Saturday.

Supporting the five more established stars, are three permanent riders and two wild card entrants all of a younger order. Loris Gubian - Gas Gas gave his home fans much to cheer about in Strasbourg as he threatened to cause an upset, however eventually had to settle for a respectable sixth position as he made his debut as a fixed rider in the series. The more seasoned Michael Brown - Gas Gas failed to impress in France and will be desperate to make amends in Geneva, as will Alfredo Gomez – Montesa who suffered an uninspired initial outing as a permanent rider last Friday.

The entry list for the second round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship will be completed by wild card riders Jack Challoner - Beta and Benoit Dagnicourt - Beta. Two young riders who will be hoping to make the most of their opportunity of being part of this prestigious series, as it visits the home of the FIM. This will be only the second time in the long history of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, since it was formed back in 1904, that it is has organised a sporting event of its own. The first occasion was also a round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship in 2011.

Click here to see the Official programme!

Raga ready for revenge in Geneva

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:26:00 +0100

Adam Raga - Gas Gas will head to Geneva, Switzerland for the second round of the 2012 FIM XTrial World Championship this coming Saturday ready to inflict immediate revenge on initial series leader Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa. Bou was the clear victor in Strasbourg, France last Friday night finishing well ahead of eventual runner-up Raga. The Gas Gas teamster knows that he must win and soon if he is to stop Toni running off with his sixth successive FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Championship in a row.

Twenty-nine year old Raga has experience on his side and is more than aware of what it takes to win titles, with himself having netted four consecutive FIM Indoor Trial World Championships from 2003 to 2006 inclusive. Adam started strongly in Strasbourg, matching Bou section for section during qualification and during the early part of the semi-final before his challenge faded and allowed Toni to romp to a relatively straight-forward opening round win.

Adam spoke honestly post event and explained. "I am not disappointed about my result, as second place is good for the championship. Also I was riding well in some places and did some sections very well, before I made some stupid errors. Now I must work on these points before Geneva, as again I will be motivated to beat Toni."

"Toni is riding incredibly well in this moment, so the only way you can beat him is by putting him under pressure. If you give him the advantage then he increases his level and rides with fun and then it is impossible to stop him. I need to ruin his advantage and to keep him under pressure so perhaps he makes some mistakes, but this is difficult when he is cleaning almost every section."

"All the riders have a good level at the moment, they are fighting for each mark, it is the start of a new championship and like me they have much motivation to get the best result possible."

"Last year Geneva was a good Trial with some nice sections and it was good to be in a new country and close to the home of the FIM. With Bernard (Estripeau) the sections are always a surprise, so I am not sure what to expect when we arrive in the arena on Saturday. Anyway it will be the same for everyone so I am already looking forward to the next event."

"Switzerland is a neutral country, so all the riders have the same advantage, which should make it a good competition. I have one event in France on Tuesday and then I will train probably two more times before I go to Geneva."

"I am happy with my training, with my bike and my team so I have every possibility to win, although I know I must be at my best and not make any mistakes if I want to beat Toni."

Adam will be one of eight permanent riders to contest round two of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Geneva on Saturday and will be joined by two wild card entrants, in the form of Jack Challoner - Beta and Benoit Dagnicourt – Beta.

Laia Sanz wins her second victory in the women’s class

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:47:00 +0100

The Spanish rider continues to extend her fame with notable success in overcoming one of the hardest challenges that can face a woman on two wheels.

Laia was the only woman biker to finish the rally and she repeats the 39th place she won last year.

The Gas Gas rider had to contend with an injury to her right hand after a fall in the fourth stage and then go on alone after the ninth, when her backup Marc Guasch had to retire.

She's done it again! Laia Sanz has impressed the world in finishing for the second consecutive time in 39th place, the same result as she achieved in her debut last year in the Dakar Rally, the toughest bike trial on the planet. As she did then, the Gas Gas rider once again takes victory in the women's class home, where she must find space for this trophy beside her 11 titles as World Trial Champion, 10 continental titles in the speciality and 5 Nations Trial cups. This girl from Corbera de Llobregat thus adds to her fame as the best female bike rider of all times.

Always insatiable in her eagerness to improve, Laia Sanz started this year with the intention of doing battle on two wheels not only with the girls but also with the boys. Her ambition was to finish among the first 30 classified, but in the end she had to "settle" for an equally extraordinary 39th place in the final classification. Laia spoke of a result which concealed a great deal of effort: "I am better pleased with this year than the one before. It has been a very tough rally in some parts and the circumstances affecting me during the race made it even more complicated, but I kept going to the end. I am very satisfied with the way I rode and navigated. I think I have taken a very important step forward. I must thank Gas Gas for the opportunity that they gave me and all the team for their efforts and the great job they've done. We prepared this great project in a very short time and we should be proud. The bike also performed like a champion. It was fantastic and I am very happy. I dedicate this success to my team mate Marc Guasch, and I hope he recovers very soon".

A Dakar with difficult moments
The race started with stiffer demands than the riders had expected, above all with the tremendous heat in the Argentine stages. The Spanish multi-champion, who this year had physically prepared herself very conscientiously, overcame the harshness of the rally and in the third stage achieved a promising 35th scratch place. Unfortunately, she had missed two obligatory way points and was sanctioned 40 minutes, which dropped her back to 69th place.

This circumstance was a big handicap, as she then had to start the next special a long way back and was hampered on the track by the dust thrown up by other slower competitors. The situation was worsened for the Catalan girl when she had a fall which caused a hole in her fuel tank and a bad injury to her right hand. In spite of the pain, Laia showed exceptional resistance and went on, without complaining and without ceasing to recover places. "That day I thought I had broken my hand and would not be able to continue, but it was not so bad and after a couple of days with the help of the physiotherapist it was getting better. Hurting my hand was a shock, but what worried me more while I was out there was the bike. With the tank holed I was losing fuel and had to transfer fuel from Marc's bike. We almost didn't finish...".

In the eighth stage, Laia Sanz and the Gas Gas team had their saddest day: at 15 kilometres from the finish, Guasch had a serious fall which left him with four broken ribs, a perforated lung and damage to his spleen. Laia waited with him for an hour until he was taken away by helicopter and then she continued on her way. "It was the most shattering blow of the whole rally. I felt very disturbed by what had happened. I finished the day very upset, but in the Dakar there is never much time for lamenting, so in the next stage I just concentrated on what I had to do and the truth is that it didn't go badly", she said.

From that point Laia had to ride the remaining six stages without any help, but this was no problem for her. Her talent and tenacity enabled her to recover places every day and, at her 26 years and with only one previous participation in the Dakar, Laia showed extraordinary maturity: "I am very proud of the race I've finished because I navigated very well on all the days and I rode alone, reading the road book and being self-sufficient. I think I handled the race pretty well, without making too many mistakes and always minimising the risks and the wear on the Gas Gas".

Laia Sanz is the only woman biker to finish the Dakar this year. Her reign lasts until next first of January, when she will have to defend her title as winner in the women's class and face for the third consecutive time the challenge of the toughest raid rally in the world.

'A perfect way to start' - Bou

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:25:00 +0100

Fresh from his convincing victory at round one of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Strasbourg, France, defending champion Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa had the following to say about his latest success. "Adam (Raga) put me under a lot of pressure in the first two sections of the semi-final and was riding well. When it is like this it is not good to be riding as the last rider as each time you must match him when he is riding in front of you. Then in the third section I made an incredible passage, and this gave me my first real advantage and also some increased confidence." "In the end I was able to make a good level of victory over the other riders, so I can be happy tonight as it is the perfect way to start the new championship." "This is just one victory and already next weekend in Geneva we will begin the battle again. Each time my goal is to win and that will be the case next Saturday too. From tonight I know what I must do to be on the top step again so I will continue to work hard this week."

Bou romps to opening round win

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:03:00 +0100

Very much as expected Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa romped to a relatively easy win at the opening round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship held in Strasbourg, France. With the reigning champion well clear of the chasing pack, it was left to Adam Raga - Gas Gas, Albert Cabestany - Sherco and Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa to scrap it out for the remaining podium places. The two Spanish compatriots would eventually succeed respectively. As the Japanese rider was pushed off the rostrum due to losing out on a tie break with Cabestany, which was decided on qualification standings. Qualification got the action underway with the eight permanent riders facing five sections that would ultimately determine if they made it through to the Trial itself. Michael Brown – Gas Gas had the unenviable task of being the first man through the hazards and acquitted himself well with a total of sixteen marks. This set the early benchmark as Alfredo Gomez – Montesa failed to impress on his full season debut dropping a hefty twenty-three marks. Loris Gubian – Gas Gas and Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa then raised the bar with eleven marks apiece, with the home rider winning the eventual tiebreak for starting order. A five on the big step in the last section put Albert Cabestany – Sherco on six whilst Jeroni Fajardo – Beta was right on the leading pace with his single mark loss coming into the same hazard. Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa and Adam Raga – Gas Gas matched each other blow for blow as they both stayed clean throughout all five hazards, but it was the defending champion Bou who stole the initial advantage by crushing his compatriot in the tie decider. Raga maintained his pressure on Bou through the opening two sections of the semi-final, despite Toni beating him in the first dual lane encounter. Only these two front-runners managed to clean the large concrete cubes as the other four qualifiers failed at the initial step. However in the very next hazard Bou was to assert his superiority by delivering an emphatic clean on the wooden pallets, whilst Adam was next best with a scrappy three plus one on time. Gubian and Fajardo were the two riders who failed to transfer to the final as they both fived the last scaffold hazard. With Bou already well out in front, his only blot was when he was defeated by his team-mate Fujinami in the dual lane race, he then used each section in the final to stamp his authority on the event. In contrast only two marks separated the trailing three challengers going into the concluding rock hazard, which Raga almost made a mess of to concede second spot. Although in the end his single dab ride was sufficient to secure the runners-up spot ahead of Cabestany. Fujinami could count himself slightly unlucky to be demoted to fourth by a single

Laia Sanz, alone in the marathon stage

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:14:00 +0100

The Gas Gas rider is putting up a splendid performance in the second half of the race.

"Today I finished exhausted, but I am very pleased with the work done in a very tough stage".

Laia Sanz finished the eleventh special in 39th place, another great result for her, continuing her improvement in the general classification so that she is now in 40th place, just one place from equalling her result in last year's event.

The Dakar is a continuous challenge and for Laia it could be no less. The Gas Gas rider faced the marathon stage today, the first of this type since 2007. In practice this meant that the Dakar Women's Champion could not get help from the team mechanic, the same as for the other bikers, but neither could she count on her team mate Marc Guasch, who is still in hospital in Chile, progressing well. Laia had to manage servicing her bike by herself and bivouac to be ready for the twelfth stage of the rally tomorrow.

For this reason the Spanish girl has kept up her precautions of the last few days, but without missing any chance to move up a place: "Today's stage was bike-breaking. We had to ford two rivers where the water came up to waist level and in one of them there was a current that swept you away. In the first ford there were a lot of riders with problems getting across, because it was easy to lose your balance and the bike could fall over. For many of them water had got into the filter and they found it difficult to start the engines again. So I looked for another place to cross, a little further away, trying it out, and it worked well. Then we came to an area of around 40 kilometres with "fesh fesh" which was very hard, both for the riders and for the bikes. There I finished up absolutely wrecked. I thought I was the only one to be so tired, but when I came to the finishing line everyone was saying how exhausted they were. In the last part there were some very fast stretches, but I took it quietly".