Penultimate 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Milan - Michael Brown Report
Michael Brown was in Milan this weekend for the penultimate round of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championships. Held at the Fila Forum arena, 10 riders took part in the qualification lap, all fighting for the six available places in the semi-finals. KX-energy rider and Gas Gas UK frontman, Michael Brown only managed to secure an eighth position on the day, leaving him seventh in the championship standings with only one round remaining in Paris next weekend. Spanish icon, Toni Bou (Montesa) took his six consecutive win in the championships, taking his sixth Indoor world championship title too.
During the Milan round, Michael spanish team-mate and ex-world champion Adam Raga (Gas Gas) challenged for the win, but settled for second place ahead of another former world champion Albert Cabestany (SPA - Sherco) who concluded the podium for the night. Raga and Cabestany are now tied on points in the championship and will both be looking to make a big impression at the last round of the championships.
Despite cleaning section four of the five section qualifying lap, maximum points elsewhere meant Michael was unable to ride in the semi-finals, despite beating Italian hopeful Giacomo Saleri (Beta) and Pol Tarres (SPA - Jotagas). Although Brown has had his best individual result of his career during this 2012 championship, his result in Milan has left him with an almost impossible mountain to climb if he wants to improve on his 7th position in the championships.
Talking about the event, "Today has being disappointing, I really wanted to ride in the semi-final's again because I know my confidence improves when the crowd gets shouting, but today's performance just didn't cut it.
"The championship hasn't been all bad, but to only qualify for the semi-finals on one occasion this far just isn't good enough at this level, so I'll be going all out in Paris to make a big impact in the last round".
Michael is one of three Gas Gas riders in the fixed line up, former World Champion, Adam Raga is hoping to finish this championship with the win he is capable of providing. Frenchman Loris Gubian concludes the Gas Gas line up and has had an very good season indeed and looks to beat Michael to the 6th place in the championships - all will be decided in Paris.