Toni Bou (Montesa Cota 4RT) is now one step closer to holding on to the title of X-Trial World Champion for the sixth year running after winning the fifth event in the contest held last Sunday in Palma Arena, in Mallorca. Winner of all the races held so far, the Montesa-born rider only needs to come fifth in the sixth and penultimate race next Saturday in Milan to clinch the title once and for all.
Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa Cota 4RT) climbed up to the winners' podium for the second time this season exactly a year after the devastating tsunami hit his country. A clearly emotional Fujinami paid tribute to the Japanese people from the winners' podium.
The Indoor Trial sections in Mallorca presented no major technical difficulties. Hence the nil score in the qualifying heat between the six riders who went through to the semifinal, with Toni Bou in the lead as the fastest rider in the section designed to break the deadlock. In the semifinal, just one point separated the three men who then climbed up to the winners' podium, and in the final Bou managed to get through the three sections without picking up any penalty points.
Toni Bou: "Now I can safely say that the bulk of the job is done, with five victories and 34 points ahead when there are only 40 points up for grabs. We're keeping the same approach in Milan and I'm heading out with my mind set on a new triumph. Here in Palma Arena the important thing wasn't the difference of a few points, but avoiding making any mistakes if possible, because it's very hard to make up for them on these sections. Everything went perfectly".
Takahisa Fujinami: "I'm very happy to be here on the winners' podium - it means a lot to me. Even before setting out I thought it would be great to be up here on such a momentous date for all Japanese people. I wanted to be up here and here I am. I couldn't ask for anything more. I could have improved on third place, but I made a key mistake in the penultimate section”.