BOU BACK ON TOP ON DAY 2 OF USA GP

Published: 28th April 2008

Author: FIM SPEA Trial World Championship 2008

Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa HRC returned to the top of the podium today in the second day of competition at the USA grand prix, the fourth scoring day of competition in the FIM 2008 SPEA Trial World Championship. Winner of day one in the USA grand prix, Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa HRC finished in second position with Adam Raga – Gas Gas taking third.

Despite the course being virtually unaltered from day one, heavy rain overnight and into this morning made the sections considerably more difficult. Sections which were previously relatively straightforward became very slippery and treacherous. This was reflected as early as the second section of the day where all the championship class riders with the exception of Fujinami and Bou elected to take five marks instead of attempting the section.

Clearly confident after yesterday, Fujinami was the rider to beat on the opening lap with his riding style delighting the assembled spectators. After the first ten sections he had a lead of six marks over Bou and ten over Raga, however two fives in sections thirteen and fourteen, both of which he cleaned in the second lap, narrowed his lead at the end of the first half of the competition to just a single mark over Bou. It was to be Bou who was to prevail though dropping just ten marks on the second lap to Fujinami’s sixteen.

Bou still heads the championship standings with a seven point margin over Fujinami who has climbed above Raga after this weekend. Raga is just two points adrift of Fujinami with much still to play for.

In the Junior championship, it was to be back to back wins for Loris Gubian – Sherco. The young Frenchman repeated his victory of yesterday and has now closed the gap on championship leader, Alexz Wigg – Montesa to just four points. Wigg had to settle for second position today with Sam Halsam – Gas Gas finishing third.

The Youth championship continues to be very interesting with Jack Challoner – Beta returning to the top of the podium to repeat his win in Bangor three weeks ago. Young Spaniard, Adrian Pastoriza – Gas Gas turned in his best performance of the season and his first podium place by taking second place. Yesterday’s winner and home rider, Patrick Smage – Sherco failed to find his winning form and had to settle for third place. Challoner now leads the series by seven points over Smage with Francesc Moret – Gas Gas still in third place despite finishing off the podium today.

The 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship now takes a break until late May, when it will return with the first of two days of competition at the Motegi in Japan.

Day 2 Results: (2 Day event)

World

1: Bou 33

2: Fujinami 38

3: Raga 54

Junior

1: Gubian 56

2: Wigg 59

3: Haslam 67

Youth 125cc

1: Challoner 19

2: Pastoriza 24

3: Smage 26

2008 FIM Riders Championship Current Standings:

World

1: Bou 74

2: Fujinami 67

3: Raga 65

Junior

1: Wigg 68

2: Gubian 64

3: Haslam 55

Youth 125cc

1: Challoner 74

2: Smage 67

3: Moret 55

2008 FIM Manufacturers Championship Current Standings:

1: Montesa 141

2: Gas Gas 105

3: Beta 84

4: Sherco 74

This round: 26/27th April Sequatchie, USA

Next round: 31st May / 1st June Motegi, Japan