Thirty-three year old Adam Raga – TRS heads into this weekend’s forthcoming and second round of the 2016 FIM X-Trial World Championship leading the series after recording an historic victory at the opening event in Sheffield, Great Britain last month. Not since 2006 has anyone other than reigning and nine times FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Champion Toni Bou – Repsol Honda topped the standings, and way back then it was actually Raga who last held that position on route to him claiming his fourth and final indoor title.
Speaking ahead of this Sunday’s all important showdown on home soil Raga explained. “It’s true to say I was very happy after my victory in Sheffield as it is an event I have not ridden well at for many years. To win again in this great event after eleven years felt very special, especially as we made history for the new TRS team and bike by taking the win on its debut in the series, something that has never been done before by anyone else.”
“Barcelona is always an important race, and this year it is no different. Like Sheffield it is another event and we start and try to do our best again to take the win. We know Toni (Bou) will be strong and has not been beaten in this competition since 2009 so we have a very difficult task. I am extremely motivated to repeat the victory I last took in Barcelona back in 2008 and to win again with the new bike, but as a new team we have a lot of work to do and must be realistic about our goals.”
“Back in 2008 the sections in Barcelona were a mix, with fifty percent being done by Bernard Estripeau. This year Bernard will make all the sections in Barcelona, so I think we will find a different type of test and one that might be more technical and like Sheffield, so I am looking forward to seeing the new sections.”
“This is the thirty-ninth edition of the Trial in Barcelona, so it has a great history and is a place where your fans, family and friends come to support you in such a strong way, so it is clear how much I would like to take the win again in front of them and inside this famous arena. Let’s see what happens on Sunday evening.”