Eighteen-year old Sandra Gomez – Gas Gas will arrive in Tolmezzo, Italy this week with a clear objective to record her first top three finish in the 2011 FIM Women's Trial World Championship. The third and final round of this year's series will take place on Friday ahead of two days of FIM Trial des Nations action, all of which will be hosted at the same venue.
Whilst the 2011 FIM Women's Trial World Championship has already been claimed by twenty-five year old Laia Sanz – Repsol Montesa at the penultimate round of the series in the Czech Republic, compatriot Gomez still has everything to play for heading into the final counting event. With rival and friend Sanz pushing her at every opportunity, plus regular practice with her brother Alfredo Gomez – Montesa who recently won the 2011 FIM Junior Trial World Championship, Sandra certainly is not short of good training partners.
Since arriving on the World championship stage in 2008, the youngster from Madrid has rapidly progressed through the championship ranks. Initially finishing thirteenth at the end of her first season, Sandra quickly improved her form and ended the following year five places better in eighth. Aware of the stiff competition surrounding her, the Gas Gas teamster remained focused and was rewarded for her commitment by placing fifth at the end of 2010, which included two fourth place finishes during last year's series.
Picking up where she left off at the end of last season, Sandra has already enjoyed a fruitful 2011 campaign having claimed impressive results at the first two rounds of the series. Despite persistent rainfall creating a slippery and demanding Trial, Gomez placed an accomplished fourth place finish at the opening event in Germany.
With the second round of the championship taking place in the Czech Republic only seven days later, the Gas Gas teamster showed good consistency, eventually coming away with a well deserved fifth place. This backed up her previous day's performance at the final round of the 2011 UEM Women's European Trial Championship in which Sandra took fifth spot.
Now finding herself fourth in the general standings, Sandra remains determined to deliver a solid result in Italy this week. "I think I can make a good Trial and finish on the podium. My riding has been better this year and I am really enjoying the championship. I think it is possible for me to finish third or maybe even second, so I will continue to push hard all of the time. Trial is not so predictable and anything can happen at any time."
"The sections have been very nice this year. Maybe there are three or four hard hazards that make every rider lose some marks, but then there are some easier parts so all the riders can compete – it is very good for me. For sure I want to finish on the podium, though I know it will not be easy. Emma (Bristow) and Rebekah (Cook) are both very strong and I am happy that my results are close to them because I am still quite young and I think I have a long way to go."
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