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 at the 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.
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