After the initial two overseas events in Japan and America the 2013 FIM Trial World Championship now heads back to Europe this weekend as Sant Julia de Loria, Andorra is the setting for the third stop on the current tour. The steep sided valley that defines the small principality and which nestles between northern Spain and the French border has long been a part of the series, with the region having first hosted a Trial Grand Prix back in 1992. Since then Andorra has been absent only on a few occasions from the international calendar.
Although now retired from the series, Dougie Lampkin holds the most GP wins in the principality with seven in total, Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa and Albert Cabestany – Sherco are the next best with three victories each. Bou and Cabestany shared a win apiece here last season, as Albert brought an end to Toni’s winning run of eight on the bounce. In contrast Adam Raga – Gas Gas who currently heads the general standings faired less well in the Andorran mountains twelve months ago, as he placed 4 – 3 over the two days of competition.
Raga is only too aware that he will need to be at his very best, like he was in the US when he netted back-to-back victories, if he is to keep Bou at bay this weekend. Bou is sure to be at his most dangerous having had his pride and record wounded by allowing Raga to take the slight upper hand as they head back to what both riders regard as a home event. Fellow Spanish contenders Cabestany and Jeroni Fajardo – Beta will also be hoping to make the most of the local support as they seek to recover lost ground to the rejuvenated Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa. Fujinami sits third in the points table, having won the second day of his home GP and having only been off the podium once in the four counting days thus far. Fajardo is only three points shy of the Japanese rider as he returns to the scene of his one and only Grand Prix win back in 2009. 
Like Jeroni, Cabestany who holds fifth in the general standings at this stage also has fond memories of what remains the highest stop on the tour, with his success here having come just a year ago.
Three different riders have been victorious in the Junior class since the start of the season. Last time out in the US it was Francesc Moret – Gas Gas who collected the winners trophy, whilst his countryman Jorge Casales – Gas Gas took the first win of the year. However with two triumphs to his name it is Britain’s Jack Sheppard – Beta who is currently top of the pile despite placing fifth on day two in America. This slight slip has allowed Casales to close to within six points of Sheppard in the title race, with Moret another four points back. All three of these leading Junior riders will need to bring their A game to Andorra if they are to remain in this elite group, such is the depth of competition in this division.
The fight in the Youth category is equally as fierce with France’s Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta having emerged as the current championship leader much due to his two strong showings on the other side of the Atlantic. First and second places in the US have put the young French rider six points clear of Britain’s Bradley Cox – Beta who finally recorded his first victory Stateside. Early series leader Thomas Kenny - Beta has slipped back to third in the general standings after he went 6 – 4 at the last GP. So, all is to play for as Andorra welcomes the series back to Europe.