The fight for the 2014 FIM Trial World Championship hangs in the balance with just seven points separating arch rivals Toni Bou – Repsol Honda and Adam Raga – Gas Gas as the two Spanish riders head to their home Grand Prix this coming weekend, which will mark the final round of this year’s series. Currently Bou has recorded five victories this season compared to the four wins achieved by Raga, but it was the Gas Gas teamster who stole the all important victory last time out at the French GP to reduce the gap on the defending champion and to take the title fight down to the wire.
Whilst Raga may have the momentum, Bou remains the favourite to lift his straight eighth outdoor title in a row and if he does so he will become the outright record holder and will supersede the current record of seven FIM Trial World Championships he currently shares with Jordi Tarres and Dougie Lampkin. Raga must win both days in Arnedo, Spain to give himself any chance of snatching the crown away from Bou, whilst Toni can afford to finish runner-up on the two days of competition and still take the title by a single point even if Adam does do the double.
Behind the leading duo there remains a three way scrap for third spot in the general standings with just ten points splitting third to fifth place currently. Albert Cabestany – Sherco holds the advantage as he approaches his home GP, although will have to post two strong performances if he is to keep compatriot Jeroni Fajardo – Beta at bay. Fajardo is very much in form having been on the podium on the last two occasions to close within seven points of the Sherco rider. Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Honda will be hoping that the summer break will bring a change in his fortunes as he looks to chase down his two Spanish rivals and improve on the fifth place ranking he achieved in 2013.
James Dabill – Beta who currently occupies sixth position in the standings has close company in the form of the fast emerging talent that is Jorge Casales – Gas Gas. The Spanish youngster needs to pull back an eight point deficit on the far more experienced British rider if he is to jump one place up the final order and round out in style what has been an incredible debut season in the top class for the teenager, who many are predicting to be the next champion in waiting. Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco looks safe in eighth spot with a comfortable gap over Pol Tarres – Sherco, whilst Matteo Grattarola – Gas Gas appears to be the most likely candidate to complete the top ten rankings come Sunday afternoon.
Sixteen-year-old Jaime Busto – Beta will have the weight of a nation on his young shoulders as he looks to emulate Bou and clinch the 2014 FIM Trial World Cup on home soil. Currently Busto enjoys a fourteen point lead over the equally gifted Franz Kadlec – Beta from Germany, 
with the two exciting prospects having been locked in a season long battle that may have one final twist to be played out. Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta should close out his first year in this division in third place in the final standings if he can use the nine-point gap he currently has over his French compatriot Steven Coquelin – Gas Gas to his advantage.
Little remains up for grabs in the 125 Trial Cup. Gael Chatagno – Sherco is already the winner of this category and is now riding up a class. Whilst France’s Teo Colairo – Gas Gas would appear destined to be runner-up in the series ahead of his Swiss challenger Noe Pretalli – JTG. However the recent arrival of Britain’s Thomas Minta – Sherco to this class could deliver a different ending as he bids for his first win after four runners-up positions on the bounce. Much action and anticipation is guaranteed in all threes classes this coming weekend at the Spanish Trial GP.