The 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship will take its bow in Paris this Saturday evening as the French capital proudly sets the stage for the seventh and final round of what has been a truly action-packed and memorable series. This is the first time in many years that the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy has hosted a similar style and status event.
Only one position is clear at the moment, with Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa having already been declared the winner of 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship at the penultimate round in Milan, Italy almost two weeks ago. Bou will arrive in Paris forty-two points clear of Adam Raga - Gas Gas and Albert Cabestany - Sherco who are tied on seventy-eight points apiece in the current championship standings.
So although Bou will be aiming to complete his clean sweep victory and claim his seventh consecutive round win this season, the real excitement on Saturday evening will be watching the final leg of Raga’s and Cabestany’s tense battle unfold, as both bid to become Vice World Champion.
The fight between Raga and Cabestany was just as close last year when the rivals actually finished the series tied on points with Cabestany eventually being named runner up having collected three second place finishes compared to Raga’s two during the 2011 season. Should it come down to the same tie again this year, Raga will have the advantage as he has achieved four second place finishes over Cabestany’s two.
Takahisa Fujinami currently holds fourth spot overall. Despite missing out on his place in the final in Milan to Jeroni Fajardo - Beta (fifth), a substantial twenty-one points still separate the pair. Fajardo is just six points ahead of Loris Gubian - Gas Gas. As the championship’s only permanent French rider, Gubian will no doubt be looking forward to a final showdown on home soil. Lagging twelve points behind Gubian is British challenger, Michael Brown who has only made it through qualification once this series.
There will be yet another new face taking up the remaining spot in the permanent eight rider line-up this weekend, with twenty-year-old Jack Challoner - Beta from Britain replacing Pol Tarres - JTG. Tarres momentarily replaced Alfredo Gomez - Montesa in Milan, but has unfortunately had to withdraw from this weekend’s final round due to a wrist injury.
Two wild card riders have been invited by the organiser to join the fixed riders at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy this Saturday - Benoit Dagnicourt and Alexandre Ferrer, who are both French and who will hoping to make the most of the home support.
This Saturday evening’s final round will be broadcast live on Motors TV and Sport + (Canal +).
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