Fresh from recording his first ever GP victory in the Czech Republic Toni Bou – Repsol Honda will now move on to Boras, Sweden for round three of the 2015 FIM Trial World Championship this coming weekend,
looking to conquer another country where he has not yet tasted success. To be fair to Bou, he has only once competed in a Trial Grand Prix in Scandinavia, his single appearance being at Uddevalla, Sweden back in 2008 when he finished as runner-up to Adam Raga – Gas Gas.
Whilst Toni will be delighted with his 100% start to the 2015 campaign, his four wins from four starts having already allowed him to open up an eighteen point advantage at the top of the general standings. However he may have a slight concern in the back of his mind with him twice having had to come from behind in the Czech Republic last weekend to secure his latest two victories.
It is no secret that Bou feels that the no-stop format does not best suit his precise and exacting riding style and moreover does not allow him to fully exploit his potential supremacy over his rivals. This is something that his closest challengers are only too aware of and as such try to apply the pressure on the already eight times outdoor champion. After a mixed showing at the opening event in Japan, Raga was back to near his best last weekend with two important runners-up spots helping to re-establish himself at the sharp end of the title fight.
The behind the scenes but nevertheless high profile recent demise of his Gas Gas factory team has obviously been a massive distraction for the now thirty-three-year-old and current vice World champion, but one he has typically used to re-motivate himself during what is now the latter stages of his long career. Rest assured Adam will be fighting as hard as ever, if not more than ever as he looks to repeat his 2008 Swedish Trial GP victory this weekend in Boras.
Behind Bou and Raga in the current points table comes Jeroni Fajardo – Beta, who is showing a new run of form that has only been spoilt so far by his seventh place on day one in the Czech Republic. Other than that the thirty-year-old campaigner has proved himself to be a real threat with podium finishes on three out of four occasions so far this season and potentially as a GP winner alongside his leading two Spanish compatriots.
Fourth place last time out for Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Honda sees him hold fourth in the general standings as the experienced trouper continues to fight with his long-standing knee injury. The popular Japanese rider continues to have the upper hand over Albert Cabestany – Sherco who himself has made an indifferent start to the 2015 season, although his visit to the podium on the first day last weekend will have hopefully helped to restore some of his lost confidence. One rider not lacking in confidence is seventeen-year-old rookie Jaime Busto – Repsol Honda who has been sensational this year and after his fourth spot in the Czech Republic could just feature on the rostrum this weekend if he maintains his incredible form. James Dabill –Vertigo, Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco and Franz Kadlec – Beta are three more riders who may feature strongly in Sweden.
Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta will be the man to beat in the FIM World Cup division in Boras after he took control of this class following his two wins last weekend. In contrast early championship leader Benoit Bincaz – Scorpa will look to get his campaign back on track after his poor showing in the Czech Republic. Two runners-up spots for Billy Bolt – Scorpa at round two have put him in the title fight and have moved him ahead of fellow contender Miquel Gelabert – Sherco in the current points race.
Four wins in a row meant that Italy’s Marco Fioletti – Beta heads the FIM 125 Cup class with some authority. However the arrival of Germany’s Jarmo Robrahn – Beta who took two runners-up spots on his debut last weekend will perhaps give Marco some concern. A point Maxime Varin – Scorpa will also be very aware of as he looks to maintain his second spot in the series as all three classes take the battle to Sweden this coming weekend.