Italian Grand Prix
Published: 25th June 2007
Author: FIM SPEA Trial World Championship 2007
After a short break, the 2007 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship resumes with both importance and pace, with the riders faced with the task of three Grand Prix over the next three-week period. Italy, this weekend coming, is the first stop on what is a critical moment for the series, as after these three rounds the main challengers for the three titles on offer must be in a strong position if they are to taste glory come late September.
The town of Erba, which sits just north of the famous city of Milan, has the
great honour of hosting the 2007 Italian GP. Italy is always a popular
destination on the tour, with few places offering such a passionate welcome,
fantastic colour and delicious food.
Whilst Toni Bou – Repsol
Montesa HRC will arrive in Erba with a clear championship lead, he should not
assume that he will take the victory in Italy without a fight from his Japanese
team mate. Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa HRC has made the Italian GP
his own in more recent years, with five successive wins since 2002, and will be
looking to repeat his victory again this time around.
Adam Raga –
Gas Gas holds the unique title of being the only rider to defeat Bou outdoors
this season, his win on the second day of the Japanese Grand Prix bringing to an
end Bou’s 100% run. Raga must search for another victory in Italy if he is to
mount a serious assault on the title, further ground lost to Toni at this stage
of the campaign could reduce him to being vice champion earlier than he would
hope.
Dougie Lampkin - Repsol Montesa HRC, Albert Cabestany –
Sherco, Jeroni Fajardo – Beta complete the current top six, and all will be
looking for better form this time out if they are to improve their own positions
in the overall standings.
Michael Brown – Beta is beginning to
dominate the Junior championship table and will increase his advantage over both
Nicolas Gontard – Gas Gas and Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas if he can
manage to clinch his sixth win of the year.
Alfredo Gomez – Gas
Gas remains undefeated in the Youth category, and to date looks to continue to
do so on route to what will be an impressive first World title for the young
Spanish rider. Ross Danby – Gas Gas and Alexis Cervantes – Sherco
have got work to do if they are to prevent a Gomez whitewash.
The Italian
event will also host a European round on the day prior to the World trial. From
Italy, the championship will then visit Poland and then the Czech Republic over
the next two weeks.
Past winners –
GP Italy
1994 - Diego Bosis
1995 - Jordi
Tarres
1996 - Marc Colomer
1997 - Dougie Lampkin
1999 - Dougie
Lampkin
2000 - Albert Cabestany
2001 - Dougie Lampkin
2002 - Takahisa
Fujinami
2003 - Takahisa Fujinami
2004 - Takahisa Fujinami
2005 -
Takahisa Fujinami
2006 - Takahisa Fujinami
2007 Riders Championship
Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 117
2: Raga 103
3:
Fujinami 88
Junior
1: Brown 115
2: Gontard 92
3: Wigg
90
125cc
1: Gomez 120
2: Danby 98
3: Cervantes
90
2007 Manufacturers Championship
Current Standings:
1:
Montesa 209
2: Gas Gas 117
3: Sherco 97
4: Beta 89
5: Scorpa
50
This round: 1st July Erba, Italy
Next round: 8th
July Myslenice, Poland