Bincaz fired up for Paris X-Trial
By John Dickinson on 14th Mar 18
THE 2018 FIM X-Trial World Championship resumes this Saturday in Paris, France, six weeks after the last round of the series in Barcelona, as the event scheduled to take place in Seville was cancelled.
It is hoped that both series leader Toni Bou (Repsol Honda) and second placed Adam Raga (TRS) will be fit to ride in Paris, Bou recovering from a back injury sustained in a none championship Indoor event and Raga from an arm operation immediately undertaken after Barcelona to put right a worsening complaint.
The nine riders scheduled to fight for victory in Paris include wild cards Miquel Gelabert (Sherco), Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas), Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda) and Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco) who will join permanent series riders Bou, Raga, Benoit Bincaz (Scorpa), Jaime Busto (Gas Gas) and lone Brit James Dabill (Beta).
Gelabert has proved to be one of the revelations of the series and sits fourth in the championship standings having finished second in Strasbourg. Fajardo, directly behind Gelabert in the standings, finished third last time out at Barcelona.
Bincaz has been a revelation having only made his debut in the series this year, but currently sits third in the championship with one podium finish already to his name and three fourth-position returns.
Paris is special for the young Frenchman: I cant wait for this round, which is very important for me with the support of the crowd. I want to be at my best in front of them. I will have the support of thousands of spectators and I dont want to disappoint them, so I wont rule out finishing even higher than third.
Bincaz is aware of this rounds importance for the Championship, I am third, ten points ahead of my nearest rival, and I think that should allow me to ride without too much pressure and hopefully replicate my riding from Toulouse last month.
For Dabill, a third place in Toulouse promised much and The Dibsta could do with reigniting that form on the International stage. After five rounds Bou remains unbeaten with a maximum 100 points and will do everything to keep that run going.
But if he isnt fit to ride and Raga won in Paris Toni would still hold an eleven point series lead. It is certainly heading to be an interesting X-Trial with the uncertainty surrounding the two leading contenders - if they ride, are they fully fit - and with youngsters Bincaz and Gelabert riding the crest of a wave of confidence anything can happen.
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