Toni Bou Wins First Day In Czech Republic

Toni Bou – Repsol Honda continued his unbeaten run in the 2015 FIM Trial World Championship to date as he notched up win number three in a row on the opening day of the Czech Republic Grand Prix held at the new venue of Sokolov. Bou had to come from behind this time as he trailed surprise lap one leader James Dabill – Vertigo who himself remained in close contention until the last lap before eventually slipping to fifth spot. In contrast it was Adam Raga – Gas Gas and Albert Cabestany – Sherco who had to hold and climb the order respectively to take second and third positions come the finish. Bou now leads the general standings by fifteen points over Raga.

The twelve sections, all which were located in a heavily wooded area near to the picturesque lake area that formed the paddock received a soaking overnight as rain fell throughout the hours of darkness and through to morning. There was little variety on offer with steep loose climbs which were infested with slippery boulders and exposed tree roots in places, with the changing conditions forcing the organisers to effect late changes to the course to offset just how slippery the going had become due to the rain.

Bou’s nervous dab in the opening section of the day set the scene for a first lap that included three fives and two time penalties to put him three marks behind Dabill after the initial tour of three, which all took place under dry skies. Cabestany slotted into third spot another three marks back, whilst Raga could count himself unlucky to be back in fifth at that stage behind eventual fourth place finisher, Jaime Busto – Repsol Honda, after he was cruelly awarded a five in section five after what was deemed a momentary stop.

Toni was back in front by lap two as he completed his second tour for just seven. This amazing performance put him eight clear of Dabill at this stage as the British rider looked good for a podium finish at least. However Raga, Cabestany and Busto were to all overhaul the Vertigo come the finish as Dabill suffered a hellish last lap. With the eventual podium packed with familiar faces, again it was seventeen-year-old Busto who was one of the main talking points as he claimed a career best fourth position at only his second GP in the World Pro class.

France’s Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta recorded his first win of the year in the FIM World Cup class as he came home well clear of second placed Billy Bolt – Scorpa who also enjoyed his best result of the season to date on board his new machine. Jack Price – Gas Gas stole the final podium place in this category by virtue of a most cleans tiebreak to make it two British riders on the rostrum. Carles de Caudemberg’s victory was sealed by an outstanding first lap, a score that was less than half of any of his rivals. Quentin moves up to second in the general standings in this division as double winner in Japan and series leader Benoit Bincaz – Scorpa could only manage seventh today.

Marco Fioletti – Beta from Italy made it three wins from three starts in the FIM 125 Cup category to move further clear at the top of the points table after his current closest rival in the title race  Maxime Varin – Scorpa finished off the podium and in fourth spot today. Germany’s Jarmo Robrahn - Beta made an impressive debut to the series as he claimed the runner’s up spot on his first attempt. Gabriel Giro – Beta took the last rostrum place in this class on day one.

Tomorrow will see the second and final day of the event at Sokolov take place over a similar course for all three men’s classes, but with some potential changes to the sections subject to the ongoing weather conditions.

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