RAGA HOPING FOR REVENGE IN MADRID

It is fair to say that Adam Raga - Gas Gas has not started this season the way he, his team, fans, or even rivals expected. So now, with only two rounds of the 2010 SPEA FIM Indoor Trial World Championship to go, the amiable Spaniard is intent on making amends for his mediocrity.

A four-time SPEA FIM Indoor Trial World champion, the normally consistent Raga is not used to dropping off the rostrum. His 2010 campaign began with a disappointing fourth place in Sheffield, and although his poor result at round three in Barcelona, a lowly seventh place after he failed to even qualify, was sandwiched by a podium visit in Marseille. It is fair to say that his season so far has been defined by uncharacteristic performances.

“I know that I have not ridden well enough,” said the likeable twenty-seven-year-old, who is more used to battling Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa for top honours than fighting for fourth or fifth place. “In Barcelona I had mechanical problems and I was not able to qualify, but at the other rounds I suppose that yes, I have not done well enough. It is disappointing.”

Mechanical problems aside, the fact that Raga failed to make the grade in Barcelona in front of his home fans must have been devastating for the cool-headed Catalan. “It was a strange feeling and yes, it was made worse because it was in Spain. At the moment when I was about to enter the final section, my rear axle just failed and I was not able to qualify. It broke in half and I could not believe it. It was more disbelief than any other feeling.”

Since then, Raga, who finished third overall in last year’s indoor series, claims that he has done nothing differently in his bid to get his season back on track. Instead, he has continued to train hard and hopes his dip in form is merely a blip: “I have not changed anything and I am doing nothing different than I used to. After Barcelona I have just been training as usual.”

Given that Raga is working closely with his new Gas Gas team-mate, James Dabill who is currently sitting ahead of Adam in the overall points standings, some may wonder whether he feels any animosity towards the fast-improving British rider. “James is a good guy and, like everybody else, he is doing his best. The good thing about trials is that you are always fighting against the section and not an individual.”

The big question that one has to ask is whether the Spaniard can turn his season around at the penultimate round in Madrid? “I hope I can return to my place on the podium, however with the new rules it is difficult to predict, so who knows?” As for his ultimate hopes in the series, Raga is unapologetically blunt with his response when asked. Where do you hope to finish? Adam simply replies “I would be happy with third place.”

2010 SPEA FIM INDOOR TRIAL
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 1
Sheffield – Great Britain
09 January - Saturday

Round 2
Marseille – France
23 January - Saturday

Round 3
Barcelona – Spain
31 January - Sunday

> Round 4
Madrid – Spain
13 March - Saturday

Round 5
Palma – Majorca
27 March - Saturday

Current FIM championship standings:
1: Bou 55
2: Cabestany 50
3: Dabill 30
4: Raga 25
5: Fajardo 21
6: Fujinami 17
7: Wigg 9
8: Gubian 4
9: Lampkin 5
10: Brown 3
11: Ferrer 1

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