Sanz has title within reach

This weekend sees the 2011 FIM Women's Trial World Championship land in the town of Tanvald, Czech Republic for the second round of the three leg series. As perhaps expected, Spaniard Laia Sanz – Repsol Montesa finds herself at the top of the general standings and in a position to claim her eleventh FIM World title.

After recording an emphatic win at the opening round of the series only one week ago, Sanz already has one hand firmly placed on the prestigious title. With riders allowed to drop their worst result from the three rounds, a second victory from the well-respected and greatly experienced campaigner this weekend would see her lift her fourth consecutive Women's championship.

Although Laia remains the clear favourite to win the title fight, she must first defeat her closest rivals in the general standings. Positioned second and third respectively, British riders Emma Bristow – Ossa and Rebekah Cook – Sherco will look to strengthen their own championship hopes as the series continues this coming Sunday. With only five points separating the top three ladies and two rounds remaining there is still much to play for.

Whilst twenty-five year old Sanz may have cruised to a reasonably easy win in Germany last weekend, she is all too aware of how the tables can turn, having previously missed out on the championship to Iris Kramer – Gas Gas in 2007. Despite this, Laia remains the most successful female Trial rider of all time, claiming the FIM Women's World Championship an incredible ten times since its inception in 2000. Even with her high levels of success the reigning World champion remains cautious of her rivals, aware of their continuing threat to the title.

A young lady who is quickly becoming one of Laia's fiercest challengers is twenty-year old Emma Bristow. After claiming a hard fought second place at the first leg of the championship, she will arrive in Tanvald riding on a wave of confidence. Yet to reach the top step of the rostrum, Bristow will be aware that she is in a position to pause Laia's bid for the title should she be able to claim her first GP victory.

Meanwhile Rebekah will look to improve on her result from the opening round of the series when she claimed a frustrating third place. Currently positioned third in the general standings, the twenty-five year old from the Isle of Wight has finished second in the championship at her last three attempts and will be aware that she must produce a good performance in the Czech Republic if she is going to go one better this time around.

As always the Women's series remains highly competitive with several riders finishing within a few marks of each other at the first round in Germany. Amongst the thirty riders that will compete this weekend, Spain's Sandra Gomez – Gas Gas is perhaps one of the rostrum favourites. Currently fourth in the championship only two points behind Cook, Gomez will be determined to record a top three finish on this occasion.

Equally as eager to make her impression on the championship is Britain's Donna Fox – Beta who is positioned fifth in the general standings. At twenty-six year's of age Fox is one of the most experienced campaigners on the World circuit having competed since 2002. Making her return to the series after a two-year absence, Donna will arrive in the Czech Republic searching for a little more consistency than she showed at round one, after falling from fourth to fifth place on her closing lap. So all in all Tanvald looks set to produce another interesting female encounter.