Ahead of tomorrow’s second round of the 2017 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Wiener Neustadt, it seems the perfect moment to remember the last event that the country hosted prior to the series returning in 2015.
From 1997 through to 2003 the capital city of Vienna was home to the series, with no less than seven successive events over this seven year period. Britain’s Dougie Lampkin was the dominant force during this era with three wins to his name, however it was a certain Adam Raga who was the victor in 2003. Reigning champion Toni Bou – Repsol Honda can draw level with Lampkin for most wins if he tops tomorrow night’s event, but maybe Raga might just have other ideas.
Fourteen years ago Raga fought off his compatriot Albert Cabestany to take the win by a single mark, to this day the rivalry between these two countrymen remains as fierce as ever. Lampkin rounded out the podium places on that night in 2003, with Takahisa Fujinami taking fifth spot who will continue for another high placed finish in just twenty-four hours time.
2003 Marked Raga’s only win in Austria – the question is – can he claim his second triumph in this country tomorrow evening?
FIM Communications