Bou regains series lead

Toni Bou – Repsol Honda is back on top of the general standings in the 2014 FIM Trial World Championship following his victory at today’s Italian Grand Prix held at Alagna Valsesia. The reigning champion was eventually a clear winner, but during the initial stages of what proved to be a tough competition, Bou had to fight off a strong challenge from his main title rival Adam Raga – Gas Gas. Raga was unable to match Toni over the closing two laps, each again of twelve sections, but did enough to secure an important runners’ up spot as the series reached its halfway point. Albert Cabestany – Sherco stole the last podium place as he beat Jeroni Fajardo – Beta into fourth spot by a single mark to make it an all-Spanish top four. Britain’s James Dabill – Beta made a welcome return to the top five for the first time since the opening Grand Prix in Australia and in doing so moves back up to sixth in the championship rankings. Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Honda endured another day he will want to forget as he placed sixth for the third time this season. In contrast Pol Tarres – Sherco matched his best result of the campaign to date as he secured seventh position although some way behind Fujinami in terms of total marks lost, one hundred and twelve compared to ninety six for the Japanese protagonist. Both home favourite Matteo Grattarola – Gas Gas and Spain’s Jorge Casales – Gas Gas were unable to repeat the performances they produced in Corsica just a week ago, as they occupied eighth and ninth places respectively on this occasion after failing to get to grips with the slippery Italian rocks. On the other hand, Michael Brown – Gas Gas showed his liking for the almost British conditions as he rounded out the top ten to mark his highest finish in 2014 thus far. So, with four rounds completed and still four to go, Bou holds a single point lead over Raga at the head of the championship, with it looking very likely that one of these two riders will eventually be crowned champion at the end of the year. Today saw a new winner in the FIM Trial World Cup, with Italy’s Luca Cotone – Sherco taking full advantage at his home Grand Prix. Making his first outing of the 2014 campaign Cotone took control of the event from the opening lap and eventually took the win by a comfortable eleven marks from Franz Kadlec – Beta. Although having missed out on the victory it was still a good day for Kadlec as he made up ground on championship leader Jaime Busto – Beta who could only manage fourth spot this time out. France’s Kenny Thomas – Beta completed today’s podium, as he finished just two marks behind Kadlec, whilst Filippo Locca – Beta finished in fifth position to record his best result of the season to date. Busto’s advantage over Kadlec in the title race is now reduced to seventeen points with six counting days remaining. Gael Chatagno’s – Sherco unbeaten run in the FIM 125 Trial class came to an end today when he was beaten by home rider Marco Fioletti – Beta. Just three marks separated the young pairing at the end of the Trial, as Chatagno was forced to fight his way back into contention after a poor opening lap. This was Fioletti’s first outing in the series this year, with his previous best result being eighth at last year’s Spanish GP. For only the second time this season Teo Colairo – Gas Gas did not finish as runner up and had to be content with third place today. Noe Pretalli – JTG rounded out the top five in this category as he was beaten to fourth spot by Italy’s Andrea Riva – Beta. Despite losing his 100% record Chatagno still managed to increase his lead in the general standings today and now tops the table by twenty two points. The 2014 FIM Trial World Championship will return to action in Belgium on 13th July, when the series will move into the second half of season at pace, with three rounds in an intense three week period.