Today saw the small French island of Corsica host its first ever Trial GP. The competition marked the opening day of the third round of the 2014 FIM Trial World Championship, with another day of action on the isle planned for tomorrow.
No riders were classified in the World Pro class, and thus no championship points were awarded in the leading category today. This unfortunate situation occurred when a decision was taken by the majority of World Pro riders early on the second lap of three, not to complete the course within the allotted time and in a manner that would eventually lead to their wholescale disqualification and therefore the null result.
Following tonight’s FIM jury meeting, modifications to several of the sections will be made overnight and tomorrow’s overall time allowance will be extended to ensure that the second day of competition can take place in its totality. In the other two classes today, it was business as usual with both the FIM World Cup and 125 Cup categories declaring a full set of results, which saw a full compliment of championship points being awarded.
Spain’s Jaime Busto – Beta was a convincing winner in the FIM World Cup division with his margin of victory being a clear twenty five marks as he showed his liking for the dry and grippy Spanish-like conditions. Last year’s FIM 125 Cup winner Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta recorded his best result of the championship to date as he secured the runners up spot by a single mark. The French rider remains fifth in the series, but has now closed within two points of a top four position overall heading into tomorrow’s Trial.
In similar fashion Oriol Noguera – Honda achieved his highest place finish in the 2014 campaign to date as he grabbed the last podium place. His third spot today, his previous best result being fifth on the opening day in Australia keeps him in seventh place in the general rankings, but now within touching distance of sixth ranked rider Kenny Thomas – Beta who finished just outside the top five today.
Germany’s Franz Kadlec – Beta, who currently holds second position in the championship table lost ground to his main title rival Busto today, when he could only manage fourth place to match his equal worst placing which was on the first day of the Japanese Grand Prix. Kadlec now trails his Spanish counterpart by eight points after starting the day just a single a point away from a share of the series lead. Matteo Poli – Ossa kept his place in the top four of the general standings as he recorded his second top five finish of the season to date.
It looks like France’s Gael Chatagno – Sherco is the clear favourite to be the winner of FIM 125 Trial Cup come the end of the year as he notched up his fifth straight 
win of the championship to date and once again in a devastating manner. Today his winning margin was a massive twenty-eight marks after the three laps of twelve sections that were conducted in searing heat. Switzerland’s Noe Pretalli – JTG finally managed to finish ahead of his close French rival Teo Colairo – Gas Gas to take his first runners up spot in 2014. Despite today’s turnaround Colairo remains a clear second in the series, fourteen in front of Pretalli, but still some seventeen points behind the dominant and unbeaten Chatagno.
Despite the unfortunate events of today, Corsica proved to be a fantastic new addition to the FIM Trial World Championship, with excellent organisation and facilities, incredible terrain and amazing hospitality, which all bodes well for tomorrow’s event.
| World Championship Results
Competition declared void. No results. |
World Cup Results
1. Jaime Busto - 9 2. Quentin Carles de Caudemberg - 35 3. Oriol Noguera - 36 4. Franz Kadlec - 39 5. Matteo Poli - 51 6. Kenny Thomas - 60 7. Steven Coquelin- 61 (17 cleans) 8. Giacomo Saleri - 61 (14 cleans) 9. Hakon Pedersen - 62 10. Miquel Gelabert - 64 |
125CC Championship Results
1. Gael Chatagno - 6 2. Noe Pretalli - 34 3. Teo Colairo - 45 4. Anthony Charlier - 63 5. Timmy Hippel - 103 6. Maxime Varin - 111 |
Photo Coverage
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