A good balance was achieved by the Gas Gas riders in this test of the Trial World Championship which was held in Italy: Two second places that keep the top riders of the brand with all the options in their respective categories.
Adam Raga continues his struggle to regain the lead he had held for three World Cup races and also choosing to be in the best position in the battle for the title. And the second position obtained in Barzio now in the eighth race, the fifth GP of the season, cannot be considered a bad result for the Gas Gas rider as he has managed to keep at bay the winner of the event, Toni Bou. The peculiarities of the Italian trial, however, have made it difficult for Adam Raga to minimize the risks for the best score of the day won by his rival in the first lap. The zones where made so that it was very easy to receive the maximum penalty, no middle, and no possibilities for recovery have resulted in a first lap with some errors by the rider from Ulldecona.
In the two following laps, in the twelve zones, Raga has chosen to secure the second position, four points ahead of the third place finisher at the end of the race. The second place on the podium allows the Gas Gas rider to be just five points behind the championship leader.
Matteo Grattarola has raced under heavy pressure at home and could not get as remarkable a result as he did in the previous GP of Spain. The Italian finished in seventh place, taking the position by only one-point over the fellow Gas Gas rider from Great Britain, Michael Brown, who contrary to expectations, took a chance and attend the Italian leg of the World Cup despite still recovering from an operation in the ligaments in his left knee. He achieved a positive eighth. The Frenchman Loris Gubian finished in tenth position and the Catalan, Pere Borrellas has occupied the fifteenth position.
Casales, again leading Junior
The young Gas Gas rider from the School of Champions Program, Jorge Casales has added a great result for his ultimate goal, despite not winning. Casales finished in second place, just one point behind local rider Giacomo Saleri. The main rivals of the Gas Gas rider have finished behind the Galician and Saleri who does not occupy a prominent position in the championship. Casales' advantage over second in the standings is now 12 points.
Francesc Moret did not have a good day and scored many points in zones where others were not penalized. Finally, the Catalan was seventh. Luca Cotone has taken part in the first round of the World Junior Championship this season and finished in tenth place.
Adam Raga:
“I'm happy. The trial has not been easy and the zones were made only one way: to make it or not, a zero or a five. You had to be very careful and I think the end result is very good. I'm still feeling in very good form and technique. With five races to finish the World Championship season, a lot can still happen".
CLASSIFICATIONS
World Pro
1. Toni Bou, 43
2. Adam Raga (Gas Gas), 67
3. Takahisa Fujinami, 71
4. Jeroni Fajardo, 73
5. Albert Cabestany, 86
7. Matteo Grattarola (Gas Gas), 102
8. Michael Brown (Gas Gas), 103
10. Loris Gubian (Gas Gas), 111
15. Pere Borrellas (Gas Gas), 140
Junior
1. Giacomo Saleri, 48
2. Jorge Casales (Gas Gas), 49
3. Cédric Tempier, 51
4. Jack Sheppard, 53
5. Pol Tarrés, 55
7. Francesc Moret (Gas Gas), 62
10. Luca Cotone (Gas Gas), 77
WORLD STANDINGS
World Pro
1. Toni Bou, 146 points
2. Adam Raga (Gas Gas), 141 points
3. Takahisa Fujinami, 109 points
4. Albert Cabestany, 105 points
5. Jeroni Fajardo, 102 points
7. Matteo Grattarola (Gas Gas), 57 points
8. Loris Gubian (Gas Gas), 46 points
12. Michael Brown (Gas Gas), 32 points
15. Pere Borrellas (Gas Gas), 16 points
Junior
1. Jorge Casales (Gas Gas), 129 points
2. Jack Sheppard, 116 points
3. Pol Tarrés, 111 points
4. Francesc Moret (Gas Gas), 110 points
5. Cédric Tempier, 96 points
12. Kyle Middleton (Gas Gas), 30 points
18. Luca Cotone (Gas Gas), 6 points