Reigning champion Laia Sanz – Montesa made a winning return to the 2013 FIM Women’s Trial World Championship when she was victorious on the opening day of the second round of the series held in Isola 2000, France. Sanz who was absent from the initial encounter in Andorra due to a clash of dates with the Maxxis FIM Women’s Enduro World Cup was never behind throughout the three laps of twelve sections despite having admitted that she had not had time to train properly before the event. After a nervous first lap Emma Bristow – Sherco recovered well to all but match Sanz’s performance over the closing two tours, and in doing so reduced Laia’s winning margin to just seven marks. Initial championship leader Rebekah Cook – Beta completed the day one podium, ten marks back from Bristow.
Bristow is now tied on fifty two points with Cook at the head of the general standings, but these two riders will be only too aware that Sanz is now their main threat in the title race with the best three out of five days being used to decide the eventual champion. Sandra Gomez – Ossa remains third in the series when she won a tie break with Ina Wilde – Sherco to take fourth place today, after both riders ended up on fifty-three marks apiece following the three laps of competition. This was Wilde’s first ride of the season, with her like Sanz having missed the opening two counting days in Andorra.
Katy Sunter – Gas Gas has now moved up to fourth in the championship thanks to her sixth spot this time out and her consistency to date. Sunter has leapfrogged both Mireia Conde – Beta and Marilyne Journet – Beta in the points table after these two riders finished seventh and eighth respectively on the first day of the French GP. Journet was the highest placed home rider and came to Isola 2000 with high hopes with her currently enjoying her best campaign in her long career.
Sixteen year old Nikita Smith – Gas Gas continued to show her potential as she once again placed in the top ten. Her ninth position today now puts her in the same place in the series with two counting days remaining. France’s Sandrine Juffett – JTG rounded out the top ten today as she too made a welcome return to the series after having been absent at round one.
The day belonged to Sanz, as she showed why she has already won the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship twelve times before, with a confident return to the series despite a lack of time on the bike prior to today’s Trial. Laia completed all thirty-six sections without a single five and delivered three consistent lap scores, to lose just eleven marks in total. Bristow blotted her punch card with a five in section seven on the first lap, but did well to regain her composure to record closing laps of five and three marks respectively to confirm that she can match Laia when she is at her best.
Cook was unable to match the pace of the leading duo, and will be disappointed to lose her outright lead in the series, but will still be able to take away the fact that she finished well clear of fourth placed Gomez. With today’s event conducted in warm and dry weather, tomorrow’s Trial promises to be a very different proposition with rain
forecast that will drastically change the severity of the sections. Sanz really needs to win again tomorrow if she is to
take the title fight to next week’s deciding round in La Chatre, France.
Day One Final Results
1. Laia Sanz - 11
2. Emma Bristow - 18
3. Becky Cook - 28
4. Sandra Gomez - 53 (18 cleans)
5. Ina Wilde - 53 (17 cleans)
6. Katy Sunter - 57
7. Mireia Conde - 59
8. Marilyne Journet - 59
9. Nikita Smith - 64
10. Sandrine Juffet - 69
Photo Coverage
As the Ladies and Men's Championships were run as one event, our photos from the Ladies event can be found in with our coverage of the Mens. Trials Central Supporters should note galleries are spread over 9 pages to speed up loading time.
Free Public Photos (20)
Trials Central Supporters Photo Coverage (172)