SAN MARINO GP RETURNS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1998

This weekend sees the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship make a welcomed return to the small principality of San Marino, with the series not having visited this country since way back in 1998. The circuit Baldasserona is best known as a motocross facility, but will play host to the sixth Trial Grand Prix of the year this Sunday, with the riders having made the relatively short trip across Europe following the French round last Sunday.

On current form it is difficult to see who can challenge Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa, and prevent him taking his sixth win of the season or his fourth successive Outdoor crown. Although Adam Raga - Gas Gas had kept his arch rival on his toes during the early part of the year, his recent poor showings have seen his own championship hopes fade significantly.

In some contrast, it is Bou's Japanese team mate Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa who has now emerged as the only real threat to Toni's supremacy. His victories in Portugal and Great Britain, plus his general consistency have seen him move up into second place in the general standings. Fujinami will know that he will have little chance of closing the twenty point deficit on his team mate, but this will not stop the veteran campaigner going all out in the remaining three rounds, starting with San Marino this coming Sunday.

The next three places in the championship are occupied by three Spanish rider, with Adam Raga - Gas Gas heading both Albert Cabestany - Sherco and Jeroni Fajardo - Beta at this point in the season. This trio will all need to be regular podium players over the coming events if they are to improve or even maintain their respective rankings.

Back in 1998 Dougie Lampkin - Beta, who was then the current FIM Trial World Champion, won both days of the San Marino Grand Prix. The thirty four year old will be hoping it is a happy return for him as he once again looks for a top five placing to gain further ground on his British counterpart James Dabill - Gas Gas who did not enjoy the best of days in France.

Whilst Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco will be looking to repeat the win he recorded at his home GP in the Junior class, championship leader Alfredo Gomez - Montesa will be more focused on extending his advantage over Jack Challoner - Beta who endured a torrid time at the French round.

In the Youth category, Pol Tarres - Gas Gas who currently heads the points race will be hoping to return to winning ways after having had to play second fiddle to Jack Sheppard - Beta on the last two occasions. Just seven points separates this young duo, as each looks to record their first ever FIM World title come the end of the campaign.

Baldasserona can be found one hundred and thirty kilometres south east of Bologna, and close to Rimini on the east coast of Italy. For Bou, Gomez and Tarres this will be their maiden San Marino GP, so all three Spanish riders will be hoping it will be a happy and successful first visit.

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2010 SPEA FIM TRIAL
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 1
Baiona – Spain
18 April - 1 Day Event

Round 2
Pacos De Ferreira – Portugal
24-25 April - 2 Day Event

Round 3
Motegi –Japan
05-06 June - 2 Day Event

Round 4
Fort William – Great Britain
26-27 June - 2 Day Event

Round 5
St Michel De Maurienne – France
11 July - 1 Day Event

> Round 6
Baldasserrona – San Marino
18 July - 1 Day Event

Round 7
Foppolo – Italy
25 July - 1 Day Event

Round 8
Kramolin - Czech Republic
05 September – 1 Day Event

2010 SPEA FIM WOMEN'S TRIAL
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 1
St Michel De Maurienne – France
10 July - 1 Day Event

Round 2
Kramolin – Czech Republic
04 September - 1 Day Event

Round 3
Myslenice – Poland
10 September - 1 Day Event

2010 FIM TRIAL DES NATIONS

Myslenice – Poland
11 September - Women's
12 September - Men's

2010 FIM Riders Championship
Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 145
2: Fujinami 124
3: Raga 118
4: Cabestany 105
5: Fajardo 100

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