Raga waits to become King in Belgium
By G2F on 17th Sep 06
The waiting is nearly over, as this weekend coming will decide who will be the 2006 FIM Trial World champion. After an epic campaign that has seen the series visit both America and Asia, as well as crisscrossing Europe, the final Grand Prix of the year will take place at the famous motor racing circuit at Spa- Francorchamps, Belgium.
Following a short absence the championship returned to this northern European country last season to make its debut at this historic venue.
A winner here twelve months ago, Adam Raga – Gas Gas is the clear favourite to lift this year's title. Only an absolute disaster will prevent the Spanish rider from taking his second successive outdoor crown to add to his tally of four indoor championships. Sitting ten points behind Raga, Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa HRC knows that only a miracle will allow him to repeat the success he enjoyed back in 2004 when he earned his first and only World title.
Behind this leading duo, the battle is far more close and fierce with Albert Cabestany – Sherco holding a single point advantage over Dougie Lampkin – Repsol Montesa HRC, thanks to his victory at the last Grand Prix in Andorra earlier this month. On current form Cabestany is perhaps favourite to take third place in the series, but Lampkin will not give in easily, as he still searches for his 100th World round win.
Belgium will also see the Junior Championship decided, with the seasons long three-way battle continuing between Daniel Gibert – Montesa, Daniel Oliveras – Gas Gas and Michael Brown – Beta. Gibert leads his Spanish counterpart Oliveras going into the final showdown, but anything could happen, including Brown having an outside chance of the title, once all the riders drop their two worst results come Sunday evening.
It is a similar story in the Youth championship with the final victor still very much undecided. French rider Loris Gubian – Sherco currently heads the standings, but has both Matteo Grattarola – Sherco and Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas in close contention. Wigg is perhaps the strongest challenger to Gubian, with the British rider having missed the Japanese Grand Prix due to school exams, he has no rounds to drop and has only been off the rostrum once this season. Belgium waits to crown the three new World champions.......
Past winners – GP Belgium
1988 – Eddy Lejune
1987 – Gabino Renales
1988 – Jordi Tarres
1990 – Diego Bosis
1993 – Jordi Tarres
1994 – Tommi Ahvala
1995 – Jordi Tarres
1996 – Jordi Tarres
1997 – Dougie Lampkin
1999 – Dougie Lampkin
2000 – Dougie Lampkin
2001 – Takahisa Fujinami
2005 – Adam Raga
2006 Riders Championship Current Standings:
World
1: Raga 181
2: Fujinami 171
3: Cabestany 160
Junior
1: Gibert 194
2: Oliveras 191
3: Brown 187
125cc
1: Gubian 171
2: Grattarola 162
3: Wigg 158
2006 Manufacturers Championship Current Standings:
1: Montesa 331
2: Gas Gas 200
3: Beta 240
4: Sherco 176
5: Scorpa 119
6: Honda 28
7: Yamaha 6
This round (Final round)
24th September - Spa Francorchamps, Belgium
Next event:
1st October Trial des Nations Breal Sous Monfort, France
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