
Can Cabestany cause an Austrian upset?
Thirty-five years of age Albert Cabestany - Sherco is one man who is
really looking forward to the third round of the 2016 FIM X-Trial
Championship at Wiener Neustadt, Austria, this coming Saturday. The Sherco
rider is a veteran of the International trials scene with only Japans
Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Honda - his senior, the difference in age being
just five months.
After two rounds, the series has been all about the Barcelona Boys,
four-times FIM Indoor Trial World Champion Adam Raga - TRS and reigning nine
times series winner Toni Bou Repsol Honda. Raga took a sensational win
in the opening event in Sheffield with Bou runner-up before the positions
were reversed at the second round at the Palau San Jordi arena in their home
city of Barcelona.
With the pressure on Bou and Raga to break the Championship deadlock in
Austria, Cabestany could be perfectly posted to cause an upset. With two
third placed rides to date Albert from Tarragona on the Costa Dorada, has
pulled off several stunning individual rides in the opening rounds, just to
remind us of his silky skills that helped him claim victory in the final
round of the 2015 series in Oviedo, Spain. Therefore his rivals are well
aware of just what he is capable of.
Albert spoke as he looked forward to Saturday. "Well, we've been
working very hard since the last event in Barcelona when I once more
finished in third place."
In the Palau San Jordi I started the final very strong, but
unfortunately I struggled in the middle of the lap with a couple of mistakes
which was not good for the result. I must try to improve on this and be
closer to the top step of the podium. For sure this will be difficult as
Toni (Bou) and Adam (Raga) are in a great condition. Also the rest of the
guys are all in good form so I must improve."
I enjoyed very much the Austrian GP at Wiener Neustadt last year. I
found it a very complete race, with different kinds of sections to what we
are used to which was good for the riders and for the championship. I am
hoping that this year they follow the same theme and that we can all enjoy
once again one of the best events of the season."
Albert Cabestany - Key Facts
FIM Indoor World Championship debut Sheffield, Great Britain 2001
Aged 20
1st Podium Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2001 Aged 20
1st Victory Koblenz, Germany 2002 Aged 21
1 x FIM Indoor World Champion 2002 Aged 21
18 x Grand Prix victories FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Championship
7 x Runner-up FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Championship 2005 / 2006 /
2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2014
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