Adam RagaThis Sunday will see the 2014 FIM Trial World Championship reach its halfway point as Alagna Valsesia, Italy hosts round four of this year’s series. Heading into the first single day event of the current campaign thus far Adam Raga – Gas Gas holds a slim but important lead over reigning champion Toni Bou – Repsol Honda, who has now been without a win since the opening Grand Prix in Australia. In fact Bou who has been so dominant so far has only recorded one victory in the six counting days so far this season, whilst in contrast Raga’s latest top spot in Corsica last weekend was his third on the bounce.
Last year Raga was in a similar position during the early part of the season, however then lost ground to Toni during the critical mid-term period, before then putting pressure on the eventual champion Bou during the latter part of 2013. If Adam is to mount a serious title challenge this time around he will be fully aware just how important it will be for him to extend his winning form this Sunday in the Italian hills in order to further stretch his advantage in the series standings before the championship breaks for over a month ahead of facing three out of the four closing rounds in an intense three week period.
Although Bou will arrive in Alagna Valsesia with his confidence slightly dented, he will be buoyed by the fact that he has not been beaten at the Italian GP in the last four years, although any comfort this may give him may be partially eroded by the fact that it was Raga who last defeated him in Italy back in 2009. This leading duo will also need to be aware that if they become too pre-occupied with each other, there are other riders who will be ready to pounce in an attempt to make up for lost ground with no one in the chasing pack having not shone on a consistent basis so far this year.
Despite having gone 3-4-6 during his last outings Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Honda remains third in the general standings much thanks to his opening day win at the first GP in Australia. The veteran campaigner struggled with the steep steps in Corsica and will need to produce an improved performance in Italy to prevent himself falling down the order. Albert Cabestany – Sherco sits just two points behind his 
Gael ChatagnoJapanese rival and will look to make it three podium finishes this Sunday after being on the box both on the second day in Japan and in Corsica. Jeroni Fajardo – Beta lost ground to the top four riders as he sustained a nasty wrist injury during a training accident on the French island and could only finish ninth on the day. It was an equally disappointing occasion for Fajardo’s teammate James Dabill – Beta who came home in seventh and he was one of a few of the more established stars who was out shone by the Gas Gas pairing of Jorge Casales and Matteo Grattarola who took fourth and fifth place respectively.
Jaime Busto – Beta has become the rider to beat in the FIM Trial World Cup having recorded a run of four back-to-back wins during the last four counting days. Busto must be the favourite heading to the Italian GP, but will have to once again fight off a number of very able opponents. Franz Kadlec – Beta and Steven Coquelin – Gas Gas are the obvious threats to Busto, as they currently hold second and third spots in the series respectively, but the young Spanish rider will also have to be aware of Matteo Poli – Ossa who will be looking to make the best of his home advantage and also Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta who has been a worthy runner-up the last two times out.
Gael Chatagno – Sherco will take some stopping in the FIM 125 Trial Cup and is unbeaten thus far this year. There would appear no reason why Chatagno will not maintain his 100% record in Italy, however Teo Colairo – Gas Gas and Switzerland’s Noe Pretalli – JTG will be eager to taste the winner’s champagne sooner rather than later and may just cause a mid-season surprise this coming Sunday.