BOU IS THE DECISIVE WINNER AT OPENING GRAND PRIX

Toni Bou- Repsol Montesa confirmed to his rivals why he started the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship as the clear favourite to retain his tite, with a resounding victory at the opening Spanish Grand Prix. Bou finished some twenty-three marks ahead of Adam Raga - Gas Gas, with Jeroni Fajardo - Beta eventually taking third spot, as only the top five riders kept their scores in double figures.

The ultra compact course that followed a path around a small rock lined peninsula close to the town of Baiona proved to be a tough opening task even for the top riders as they adjusted to the reduced time limit of just one minute per section. Conditions in the sections were slippery, with the dark soil dragging onto the rocks much due to the heavy rain that fell in the days immediately prior to the competition.

Riding at the front of the World Pro class, as a result of the new starting order where the best riders in each category now head their rivals, Bou showed that this was no disadvantage at all by completing the first lap on just fifteen marks. This put him fifteen marks clear of his team mate Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa who held second place at this point, but who later slipped down the order to fourth spot come the finish.

With Bou's victory never in doubt, the real fight was for the remaining podium places. Raga staged one of his customary late come backs to produce the best second lap score of the Trial and in doing so claimed a well deserved runners up spot just three marks ahead of Fajardo. Fujinami and Albert Cabestany - Sherco both suffered heavy losses on their closing lap to finish fourth and fifth respectively, and the last of the riders to record a score under one hundred marks.

Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco stole a late victory in the SPEA FIMJunior Trial Cup with a strong last lap to defeat home rider Alfredo Gomez - Montesa by a single mark. In fact just two marks split the top three riders in this closely fought division, with Jack Challoner - Beta taking third spot just a single mark behind Gomez.

With an opening lap score of just ten marks, Gomez looked odds on favourite to claim an important home win, but Ferrer kept the pressure on the early leader finishing the lap just two marks adrift of his championship rival. Back to back fives in sections eleven and twelve on the second lap would ultimately cost Alfredo the win.

Spanish rider Pol Tarres - Gas Gas took the opening win of the 2010 SPEA FIM Youth Trial World Cup, winning by eight marks from Jack Sheppard - Beta who had triumphed over Tarres in the Euro event just twenty- four hours earlier. Pol was dominant in his home round, with two consistent laps that were the best two scores of the Trial.

Behind him it was a tight affair with just four marks separating the next four places. Sheppard was clear in second place, with Carles Traviesa - Gas Gas eventually taking the last podium place after coming off best in a three way tie with Jorge Casales - Gas Gas and Giacomo Saleri - Beta who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Despite the Europe wide travel chasos, the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World championship moves swiftly on with the second round taking place a short distance away in northern Portugal next weekend.This event is one of just three two-day events in the 2010 calendar.

2010 SPEA FIM TRIAL
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 1
Baiona – Spain
18 April - 1 Day Event

Results:

World
1: Bou 48
2: Raga 71
3: Fajardo 74
4: Fujinami 76
5: Cabestany 89

Junior
1: Ferrer 29
2: Gomez 30
3: Challoner 31
4: Moret 38
5: Dagnicourt 46

Youth 125cc
1: Tarres 21
2: Sheppard 29
3: Traviesa 33
4: Casalas 33
5: Saleri 33

2010 FIM Riders Championship
Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 20
2: Raga 17
3: Fajardo15
4: Fujinami 13
5: Cabestany: 11

Junior
1: Ferrer 20
2: Gomez 17
3: Challoner 15
4: Moret 13
5: Dagnicourt 11

Youth 125cc
1: Tarres 20
2: Sheppard 17
3: Traviesa 15
4: Casalas: 13
5: Saleri: 11

2010 FIM Manufacturers Championship
Current Standings:
1: Montesa 33
2: Gas Gas 27
3: Beta 24
4: Sherco 1919

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