Adam RagaAll eyes will be on the small French island of Corsica this coming weekend as the 2014 FIM Trial World Championship kicks back into life after nearly a month’s break, and the main question will be can Adam Raga – Gas Gas continue his winning run following his back to back victories at the last round in Japan. Raga’s recent double success means that he returns to Europe trailing championship favourite Toni Bou – Repsol Honda by just one point, after the reigning champion struggled for fitness in Honda’s back yard. Bou was below par in Motegi as he rode with a cracked rib sustained during a training accident, and did a great damage limitation job to finish as runner-up to Adam on both days of the Japanese GP.
Bou will have missed out on some training time whilst he has waited for his injury to heal over the last four weeks, but whilst potentially bike rusty he will be eager and hungry to return to his more familiar winning ways. Another rider who had to contend with injury woes at the previous round was Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Honda who placed third and fourth over the two days of action at his home GP despite aggravating the knee that he damaged late last year. The Japanese rider has used the downtime between rounds to get his injured joint back in shape and will once again be looking to challenge for podium finishes in Corsica.
Bou, Raga and Fujinami currently occupy the top three positions in the general standings, with Jeroni Fajardo – Beta being the next rider in the championship table. The Spanish rider will hope that the return to Europe will see a change in his fortunes after his pair of disappointing fifth places in Japan. Jeroni will need to feature on the podium on both days this coming weekend if he is to retain the top three ranking that he achieved last season. It is a similar story for Albert Cabestany – Sherco who has experienced mixed fortunes over the opening two rounds, and will surely want to re-establish himself back amongst the front-runners this time out. James Dabill – Beta will definitely want to turn things around after his 6 – 10 showing in Japan.
Gael ChatagnoIn the closely fought FIM Trial World Cup category sixteen-year-old Spanish sensation Jaime Busto – Beta currently heads the overall point’s standings after his two wins in Japan. He holds a single point lead over Germany’s equally hot talent in the form of Franz Kadlec – Beta, who is the same age as Busto. Kadlec kept his title challenge very much alive as he bounced back from finishing fourth on the opening day in Motegi to follow Busto home on day two. France’s Steven Coquelin – Gas Gas moved up to third in the interim rankings thanks to his 2 – 3 showing at the last round as he leapfrogged Matteo Poli – Ossa who failed to produce the same form in Japan as he did in Australia. The winner of last years FIM Trial 125 Cup, Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta completes the current top five in this intermediate class.
There is simply no stopping Gael Chatagno – Sherco in the FIM 125 Trial Cup division, as he heads to the first of two home GP’s for the young French rider. Four wins from four starts has already put Chatagno twelve points clear of his nearest rival after just two events. There is no doubt that Gael will want to extend his undefeated run in front of his French fans this weekend in Corsica. His French compatriot Teo Colairo – Gas Gas currently heads the challengers and will also be going all out to record his first win of the season on home soil in order to halt Chatagno’s uninterrupted charge thus far. Switzerland’s Noe Pretalli – JTG is the third rider in the current general standings thanks to his quartet of third places in the four counting days to date.
A total of forty-eight riders across the three classes will travel to the third round of the 2014 FIM Trial World Championship in Corsica this weekend, as the island hosts its first ever event of this type and status.