Set high atop the famous Montjuic hill that proudly overlooks the beautiful Catalan city of Barcelona, the imposing Palau Sant Jordi arena will be the focus of every indoor trial and enduro fan‰Ûªs attention this weekend as it plays host to an exciting double-header.
In what promises to be an exhilarating exhibition of indoor motorcycling, the 2010 SPEA FIM Indoor Trial World Championship will join forces with the FIM Indoor Enduro World Cup.
While the addition of first class indoor enduro action will no doubt whet most trials enthusiast‰Ûªs appetites, it is the fierce battle between Albert Cabestany - Sherco and Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa that will ensure a packed arena. The pair are tied at the top of the standings with thirty-five points apiece, and both will be looking to distance themselves from their rival as the series reaches its midway point in Spain.
Indeed, with just two trials remaining after the championship‰Ûªs six week break, the outcome of round three this weekend could prove a defining moment in both Bou and Cabestany‰Ûªs season. Hence all the ingredients are in place for another tense and exciting event.
It was Bou who took the honours in Barcelona twelve months ago, en route to his third successive indoor crown. However, Cabestany showed his strength and quality last weekend in Marseille, stealing a late and dramatic win after he cleaned the final section to take victory over Bou by a single mark.
Also on the podium last week in France was Gas Gas rider Adam Raga. The Spaniard has now recovered from injury and will be looking to re-establish himself among fellow Spaniards Bou and Cabestany, and fight for a win on home soil. Another man who will be motivated to put in a solid performance on home soil is the fast-improving Jeroni Fajardo - Beta.
With Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa seemingly off colour, and Alexz Wigg - Beta, James Dabill - Gas Gas and Loris Gubian - Gas Gas still learning the ropes, Fajardo has a good opportunity to score his first podium of the season.
Barcelona is without doubt crunch time for both Bou and Cabestany. He who can withstand the pressure and clinch victory at round three will take home not only the silverware, but also a psychological advantage going into the mid-season break.
This could prove decisive, and if history tells us anything then it is the cool-headed Bou who is still this year‰Ûªs title favourite. However, the Palau Sant Jordi arena is known for its big steps, with sections that you either five or clean. So if ever there was an opportunity for Cabestany to truly make his mark on the 2010 series and dethrone the king, this is it.
Current FIM championship standings
1: Cabestany 35
2: Bou 35
3: Raga 21
4: Dabill 18
5: Fajardo 15
6: Fujinami 8
7: Wigg 6
8: Lampkin 5
9: Gubian 4
10: Brown 3
11: Ferrer 1
