Chatagno – New kid on the block

Seventeen year old French rider Gael Chatagno – Sherco is very much the new kid on the block, and has already made himself the favourite to become the winner of the 2014 FIM 125 Trial Cup after just two rounds. Gael followed up his two convincing wins at the opening round in Australia with two more empathic victories at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi last weekend. The youngster from the Southern French city of Marseille now heads the general standings ready for when the series moves back to Europe next month.
 
Somewhat of an unknown quantity prior to this season, Chatagno made a couple of appearances during the 2013 series when he netted third place on his first time out at World level at last year’s Italian GP. With the two fly away events now over with, Chatagno may face increased opposition when he resumes his campaign at the next round in Corsica, when other European riders then join this year’s series. However with four wins from four counting days to date and with his confidence boosted, the other young protagonists will have their work cut out if they are to topple the potential French champion during the later rounds.