Repsol Montesa HRC came from behind on his Cota 4RT to snatch a dramatic win at the Italian Grand Prix and in doing so claimed his sixth successive FIM Trial World Championship with one round still remaining.
It was a truly triumphant day for the Repsol Montesa HRC squad as Bou's team-mate Takahisa Fujinami took the runners-up spot to add to the celebrations as he also mounted a second lap come back. Early trial leader Albert Cabestany on his Sherco finished in third spot as his assault collapsed during the closing stages.
Whilst the small and unassuming town of Santo Stefano d'Aveto has previously hosted the Italian national trial series, this is the first time that the venue had welcomed the FIM Trial World Championship. Situated seventy-five kilometres north east of the city of Genoa, this historic dwelling is part of the Aveto Natural Regional Park, which includes the ruins of the thirteenth century Malaspina Castle amongst its landmarks that provided a stunning backdrop for the compact paddock.
Having taken victory last time out in Andorra, Cabestany once again looked set to return to the top step of the podium as he carved out what looked like an unstoppable lead during the first lap. His total of just six marks for his opening tour of the fifteen rocky zones scattered around the hills overlooking the town, comprised of two three mark rides in sections four and eleven.
His tally was unique in the fact that he was the only rider to complete lap one without taking a maximum in any hazard, and that he was the only competitor to hold a single figure score at this point.
In contrast Bou and others were struggling to get to terms with the technical sections, a third of which were man-made. Bou needed attention to his injured left thigh after he collected his third five of the day in the seventh hazard and looked to be completely off form.
Thankfully so were many of his rivals, as incredibly Bou ranked second at the halfway stage, three marks ahead of Fujinami and James Dabill, though some twelve marks behind Cabestany. Adam Raga was also enduring a bad day at the office and was languishing down in fifth position on twenty-six marks following the initial fifteen sections.
