Bou Clinches Seventh World Title

Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa came good at the end to win today’s closing event of the 2013 FIM Trial World Championship and in doing so wrapped up his seventh successive outdoor title to draw level with joint record holder Jordi Tarres and Dougie Lampkin. The title fight went right to the wire with Adam Raga – Gas Gas once again attacking the defending champion like he had done just twenty-four hours earlier. However despite Raga’s brave efforts he was to finish third on the day, just a single mark behind today’s runner-up Albert Cabestany – Sherco, as his last lap dash to beat the threatening rain failed to pay off.

It was actually James Dabill – Beta who led on lap one, the British rider pulling four marks clear of Raga and Jeroni Fajardo – Beta, whilst Bou was in fourth place at this stage two marks further back. Dabill was to lose the lead on lap two and eventually finish fifth as he failed to match his opening lap performance. Raga was quick to pick up the mantle, but now had Bou for company as the two main championship rivals ended lap two in first and second positions respectively. Second place would have been sufficient for Bou to take the title, however things were about to change as Raga gambled on a fast last lap in an attempt to beat the rain that never really happened.

Two fives for Raga as he rushed for home cost him dearly and ultimately stopped his last hope of snatching the title away from Bou. In contrast Bou rode calm and calculated on his closing lap, which would win him the Trial and his seventh straight crown. Cabestany also took advantage of the situation to claim second spot on the day and fourth in the championship as Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa slipped from third to fifth in the standings as he finished in sixth position for the second day running. Fajardo was also a winner on the day as his fourth spot proved sufficient for him to move up to third in the final championship table.

Pol Tarres – Sherco rounded out his 2013 Junior campaign with his fourth win of the season to confirm his runners-upspot in the final rankings. He recorded a single mark victory over his Spanish compatriot and already crowned Junior
class champion Jorge Casales – Gas Gas. Cedric Tempier – Sherco gave the home fans something to cheer about as he claimed the last podium place just five marks behind Casales. This was the fourth time that the French rider had been on the rostrum this year. Belgium’s Maxime Warenghien – Sherco finished his season with a fourth position, whilst Francesc Moret – Gas Gas secured third place overall despite only coming home in fifth spot today. This was one place higher than Jack Sheppard – Beta who ended up fourth in the general standings after having been the early series leader.

It was business as usual in the Youth class for the already crowned champion Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta as he notched up his eighth win, this time on home turf. He had to come from behind once again on this occasion to beat Declan Bullock – Beta, who recorded his best ever result by finishing as runner-up after surrendering the initial lead. Italy’s Gabriele Giarba – Beta continued his consistent form to take the last podium place on the day and to end up as runner-up in the series. Kenny Thomas – Beta snatched third place in the championship table away from Bradley Cox – Beta as he placed fourth on the final day, whilst Cox could only manage sixth position this time out.

With all the men’s individual titles now decided, the attention will turn to next weekend’s team competition, when a variety of countries will battle it out at the season closing FIM Trial des Nations event in La Chatre, France, which will also host the final round of the 2013 Women’s Trial World Championship next Friday.

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