BOU CROWNED CHAMPION AS RAGA WINS CLOSING GRAND PRIX
Round 8 - Isola 2000 - France

Heavy rain mid way through the final round of the 2009 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship played havoc with the riders and created an interesting and unexpected finale to this year's series. Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa HRC could only manage fourth on the day, but this was still enough for him to clinch his third successive outdoor crown.

Conditions in the mountains changed quickly once the rain arrived, one moment the hazards were dry and offered a good level of grip, and then in the next minute the same places were ultra slippery and sometimes impossible. Bou's starting position right at the back of the field, put him in the worse place once the rain began to fall.

Adam Raga - Gas Gas predicted the weather prefectly and after a stunning opening lap, he then made a dash for home and had just two sections to ride when the heavens opened. In contrast his rivals had to fight with some incredibly slippery conditions in order to salvage their respective results.

Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa HRC was one mark in front of Raga at the halfway point, but struggled as the rain fell and had to settle for second place this time out. This secured third spot in the championship for the Japanese rider, as Raga consolidated his runners up position in the final standings thanks to his third victory of the year.

Jeroni Fajardo - Beta maintained his good run of form with yet another third place to hold on to the fourth position ranking he achieved last year. Albert Cabestany - Sherco can count himself unlucky to have been demoted to fifth spot on the day, after he lost out on a most cleans tie break with Bou.

Spain's Alfredo Gomez - Montesa took his third victory in a row to round off his campaign in the Junior class in some style. His final run of results, sees him claim the vice champion place in the series, after the title went to Alexz Wigg - Beta earlier in the season.

With Wigg having now moved into the World Pro category, it was Matteo Grattarola - Sherco and Jack Challoner - Beta who filled the remaining steps of the rostrum on this occasion. This was enough for Grattarola to take third in the series, ahead of Challoner, who has had a strong opening year in this class.

Maxime Warenghien - Sherco took the closing win in the Youth championship to seal the runners up spot in the series, with the best nine from eleven days deciding the final positions. French rider Tanguy Mottin - Gas Gas did his best in front of his home fans, but could only manage second on the day to take third in the overall standings.

Carles Traviesa - Gas Gas completed the podium for the trial, as just three marks separated the top three riders. 2009 Youth champion Jonathan Richardson - Sherco was absent from the final clash, having opted to move up a class for the last two rounds, after he clinched the title with events to spare.

Many of the riders will remain in Southern Europe over the coming days, ready for next weekend's FIM Women's Trial Des Nations and FIM Trial Des Nations, which will take place in Italy.

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Day 1 Results: (1 Day event)

World
1: Raga 7
2: Fujinami 18
3: Fajardo 22
4: Bou 24
5: Cabestany 24

Junior
1: Gomez 17
2: Grattarola 17
3: Challoner 20
4: Ferrer 30
5: Laniel 33

Youth 125cc
1: Warengein 19
2: Mottin 21
3: Traviesa 22
4: Cotone 28
5: Walker 29

2009 FIM Riders Championship
Final Standings:
World
1: Bou 200 - Champion
2: Raga 188
3: Fujinami 147
4: Fajardo 136
5: Cabestany 128

Junior
1: Wigg 163 - Champion
2: Gomez 161
3: Grattarola 148
4: Challoner 122
5: Ferrer 100

Youth 125cc
1: Richardson 162 - Champion
2: Warenghein 142
3: Mottin 132
4: Traviesa 129
5: Borrellas 116

2009 FIM Manufacturers Championship
Final Standings:
1: Montesa 347 - Champion
2: Gas Gas 300
3: Beta 252
4: Sherco 190
5: Yamaha 23

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FWTCPR09-RND8REV