Day Two of WTC In Andorra

Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa fought back brilliantly on day two of the Grand Prix of Andorra to record only his second win of the 2013 FIM Trial World Championship to date and in doing so closed the gap on series leader Adam Raga – Gas Gas, who finished as runner-up today. Bou reigned supreme losing only five marks over the two laps of eighteen dry and dusty sections, three of which had been modified overnight. Raga finished some twelve marks behind Bou, but produced a solid second lap to limit the damage to his title assault. For the second day in a row Albert Cabestany – Sherco made it an all Spanish podium as he came home just four marks ahead of James Dabill – Beta in fourth, who recorded his best result of the season to date.

Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa returned the favour on his Spanish rival Jeroni Fajardo – Beta, as this time the Japanese rider came out on top in a tie-decider that was eventually determined by the fastest time overall, as both championship contenders finished on thirty-five marks apiece to round out the top six respectively. However their days were very contrasting with Fajardo producing an incredible recovery during the second lap, whilst Fujinami saw a potential second place slip away as he made a series of late errors on lap two.

With Bou back to his best, Raga pretty much settled his own fate as he first fived section twelve and then totally under estimated the opening step in the final hazard on lap one. These two mistakes gave Toni a ten mark cushion and restored some of the confidence he has appeared to have been missing more recently. Sensing the moment was his, Bou duly delivered an almost perfect last lap to collect twenty valuable championship points and to close within a single point of Raga in the title hunt as they head to their home Grand Prix next Sunday.

Pre-season favourite Jorge Casales – Gas Gas has now established himself as the clear leader of the Junior class as he recorded his second win of the weekend today. Casales showed why so many had predicted him to be the champion in this category come the end of the year, as he dropped just one mark on each lap today to destroy all his opponents. Jack Sheppard – Beta was his nearest challenger on fifteen marks, with the British rider just happy to return to the podium and to consolidate his second place in the series, now seven points behind Jorge. Yesterday’s runner-up Pol Tarres – Sherco was the final rostrum finisher today on seventeen marks. He remains fourth in the general standings just behind Francesc Moret – Gas Gas who finished fourth on the day after beating Jonathan Richardson – Ossa on a most cleans tie-decider.

France’s Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta completed his first double victory of the season as once again he topped the Youth class. His latest win was his most dominant to date with Carles de Caudemberg eventually finishing a full seventeen marks clear of Timo Myohanen – Beta, who in turn produced his best result of the campaign thus far. The young Finnish rider resisted the challenge of Italy’s Gabriele Giarba - Beta who placed third today to add to the runners-up spot he claimed yesterday. Britain’s Bradley Cox – Beta faired slightly better in fourth place on this occasion as he tied on twenty-six marks with France’s Thomas Kenny – Beta. Cox won the tiebreak after having recorded four more feet up rides than his French rival. Carles de Caudemberg now heads the series standings by a substantial twenty-three points from Cox, after six counting days.

The 2013 FIM Trial World Championship continues next weekend in Spain, as the small town of Pobladura hosts round four of the series, which will be a one-day event, taking place on Sunday only.

For coverage from Day One of this two day event, click here

Gallery
{vsig}/2013/world_trial_championship/round_3_andorra_day_2/{/vsig}