Takahisa Fujinami Takes First World Win Since 2014

Thirty-six year old Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Honda rolled back the years as he recorded a popular and emphatic win on the second day of the French Grand Prix at Lourdes that brought round five of the 2016 FIM Trial World Championship to a close. Japan’s 2004 and only ever FIM Trial World Champion, Fujinami totally outclassed his rivals on a much drier day two as he came home fifteen marks clear of runner-up Adam Raga – TRS. A single mark last lap was the crowning glory for Takahisa as he claimed his first win since Australia in 2014. Series leader and Saturday’s winner Toni Bou – Repsol Honda struggled all day and had to defeat his team-mate Jaime Busto – Repsol Honda in a most cleans tie break to steal the final podium spot.

Yet again Busto just missed on a debut rostrum placing as he ended the day in fourth spot for the seventh time this season. After his poor showing yesterday, Albert Cabestany – Sherco was pleased to take fifth place just two marks away from a top three finish. Following a poor opening lap showing, Jeroni Fajardo – Vertigo recovered well over the closing two laps to seal sixth position. For the second day in a row James Dabill – Vertigo came off worst in a tie break situation as this time he lost out to Loris Gubian – Beta who eventually occupied seventh spot. With Dabill demoted to eighth, Jorge Casales – Beta and Matteo Grattarola – Gas Gas were the last two riders to finish inside the top ten today. Bou now leads Raga by twenty points in the series standings ahead of the next round in Belgium.

Absolutely ecstatic, Fujinami stated. “Impossible and incredible, as I was never thinking about the victory after such a great result yesterday. After I made a five in section nine on the first lap I was surprised to be so close to the lead. It was the same on the second lap after I made the mistake in section four. But then on the final lap when Adam (Raga) made some mistakes in the early sections I knew I had a real chance and just stayed fully focused. It feels amazing. I want to thank all my team for helping me make such a great weekend and this great victory by so many marks to show it was not a lucky win.”

Jack Price – Gas Gas notched up his fifth victory of the campaign in the Trial2 class as he returned to the top step of the rostrum after having had to settle for second place yesterday. As is often the case in this class, the higher order was again a closely contested affair with Price eventually coming home just five marks in front of Iwan Roberts – Beta who remains his nearest challenger in the overall standings. Price delivered three consistent lap scores to better his ever present rivals. Saturday’s victor Gael Chatagno – Sherco needed an outstanding last lap to claim his spot in the top three. Dan Peace – Gas Gas and Arnau Farre – Gas Gas secured the final two placings in Sunday’s top five respectively. Price’s latest triumph sees him now stretch his gap at the head of the championship to a healthy thirty-six points.

Jack Peace – Gas Gas made it back-to-back wins in the Trial125 class as he topped the podium for the second day running to take his tally to seven victories in the opening five rounds of the series. In contrast to twenty-four-hours earlier Peace had to hold his nerve as he was put under severe pressure throughout day two by his main title rival Max Faude – Beta who ended Sunday just five marks behind his British nemesis. Whilst he fell short of taking the victory, Faude enjoyed a comfortable margin over third placed Eric Miquel – Sherco who sealed his fourth rostrum placing in a row. Peace leaves the French GP with a twenty-two-point cushion over his Germany challenger after having dominated the early part of the season in the Trial125 class.

All classes rode three laps of twelve sections, with three new hazards being introduced today after the course was shortened following the events of Saturday.

After three events in the last four weeks, the 2016 FIM Trial World Championship will now pause ahead of round six, which will take place at Comblain au Pont, Belgium over a single day on Sunday 10^th July.

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