The 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship got underway with a superb opening Grand Prix in Gefrees, Germany that was won by reigning SPEA FIM Trial World Champion Toni Bou ‰ÛÒ Repsol Montesa.
Although Bou was the victor once again, his route to the top of the podium was far from easy in what proved to be a difficult Trial after rain on Saturday night drastically changed conditions out on the course.
In front of several thousand German fans Sherco's Albert Cabestany fought hard all day long after an initial electrical problem had cost him an hour of valuable time at the start of the competition to finish as runner up on the day. Repsol Montesa's Takahisa Fujinami completed the podium and came close to snatching second place as he rode himself back into contention thanks to a stunning second lap that was the best of the Trial.
"It was tough riding first today, as there were
no lines to see in the sections," Bou said.
"I did not start
well and then made a big crash in section three,
luckily the bike was not damaged and I only hurt
my finger a little. From section four I began to
ride well and on the second lap I rode even
better. I am happy to win today, as the first
victory of the season is always an important one."
Adam Raga - Gas Gas and Jeroni Fajardo - Ossa gained fourth and fifth places respectively as both produced far better closing laps as conditions out on the course became drier when the light rain that had been present in the morning finally disappeared. The Spanish duo were the last two riders on anything like winning pace as James Dabill - Beta finished some twenty-seven marks behind Fajardo and down in sixth spot.
The high scoring theme continued with Matteo Grattarola - Gas Gas, Michael Brown - Gas Gas and Dougie Lampkin - Gas Gas being the final three riders with totals under one hundred marks as the rain made the sections ultra slippery on the opening lap. Lampkin, who sustained an ankle injury at the Scottish Six Days Trial just a week ago was forced to take several fives in order to not damage his ankle further.
A total of sixty-three riders across the three classes confirmed the healthy state of the series which will continue at pace as the second round of the championship takes place over two days in France next weekend.
Main Photo: Toni Bou
Final Results
1. Toni Bou - 32
2. Albert Cabestany - 42
3. Takahisa Fujinami - 43
4. Adam Raga - 50
5. Jeroni Fajardo - 58
6. James Dabill - 85
7. Matteo Grattarola - 93
8. Michael Brown - 96
9. Dougie Lampkin - 97
10. Loris Gubian - 101
11. Jack Challoner - 109
12. Carsten Stranghoner - 116
13. Alexz Wigg - 120
14. Francesco Iolitta - 129
Championship Standings After Round One
1. Toni Bou - 20
2. Albert Cabestany - 17
3. Takahisa Fujinami - 15
4. Adam Raga - 13
5. Jeroni Fajardo - 11
6. James Dabill - 10
7. Matteo Grattarola - 9
8. Michael Brown - 8
9. Dougie Lampkin - 7
10. Loris Gubian - 6
11. Jack Challoner - 5
12. Carsten Stranghoner - 4
13. Alexz Wigg - 3
14. Francesco Iolitta - 2
