Reigning champion Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa will go into this weekend’s final round of the 2013 FIM Trial World Championship to be held in Isola 2000 with a ten point lead over his nearest rival, and very much on target to seal a seventh straight title in this series. Bou, who claimed his FIM Trial World Championship back in 2007, has had to fight off the close attentions of Adam Raga – Gas Gas throughout the seven rounds to date, and has only managed to carve out a clear advantage following his back to back wins at the last round in Great Britain.
In almost a direct repeat of what happened back in 2011, when the championship last visited the French ski resort, Raga will have to hope for Bou to make a slip up if he is to stand any chance of preventing Bou lifting the title once again. Although unable to stop Toni finally clinching the crown two years ago, Adam did a great job of taking his arch-rival to the wire when he won on the opening day in Isola to set up a dramatic last day showdown that Bou would eventually win. In reality the top two have been head and shoulders above the rest this season. This is clear to see by the gap in the general standings that this duo have over third placed Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa.
Despite this, the highly popular Japanese rider has enjoyed a far better campaign than he did in 2012 when he finished outside the top three ranked riders after a fourteen year run of being amongst the leading trio. Takahisa holds a seven-point advantage over Albert Cabestany – Sherco, after he beat him on both days of the British GP.
Cabestany suffered his worst weekend of the year in Great Britain, his two fifth places falling short of the 2 – 4 results achieved by his main challenger Fujinami. Even more worrying for Cabestany is that he also has his Spanish compatriot Jeroni Fajardo – Beta for close company. Jeroni is only one point shy of his more experienced counterpart heading into the final two counting days, which will ultimately decide who places third, fourth and fifth respectively in the end of year rankings between these three equally capable competitors.
James Dabill – Beta currently sits in a lonely yet comfortable sixth position in the general standings, with little chance of moving up or down the order irrespective of the results he earns in Isola. The same is not the case for the next four riders in the series, with only fifteen points splitting seventh to tenth spots respectively. Matteo Grattarola – Gas Gas currently sits in pole position in this four way scrap, but will have to fight off Loris Gubian – Gas Gas, Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco and Jack Challoner – Beta if he is to hold his place in the championship table.
Jorge Casales – Gas Gas heads to France within touching distance of being the winner of the 2013 FIM Junior Trial World Cup. At the previous round Casales and his main rival Pol Tarrres – Sherco shared a win and second place a piece to allow him to hold a thirteen point advantage going into the final round, when the best eleven results are taken into consideration. Whilst there remains a multitude of mathematical scenarios that could pan out, barring an absolute disaster Jorge will collect his first World crown on French soil this weekend. Behind this leading duo Jack Sheppard – Beta who was the early championship leader now finds himself battling to save third spot in the series with Francesc Moret – Gas Gas now only one point behind him in the overall standings.
Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta will be able to enjoy his home Grand Prix with him having already wrapped up the Youth class title with a round to spare. The eighteen-year-old French rider is sure to receive a special homecoming with him living only a few kilometres from this weekend’s venue. Whilst Quentin looks to celebrate in style by adding to his six wins to date, behind him the battle for the other places remains as fierce as ever. Gabriele Giarba – Beta currently has a five point cushion over Britain’s Bradley Cox – Beta, who in turn is six points better offthan France’s Kenny Thomas – Beta, as these three young riders battle it out to become Youth vice World champion.