Trials News


Repsol Honda's Toni Bou started the defence of his FIM X-Trial World Championship in the best possible way with victory at the Stade Jean Ivoula de Sant-Denis on Réunion Island.

More than 3,500 spectators enjoyed a spectacular and very demanding course that put all eight riders to the test with some Sections which nobody was able to overcome with a zero score.

Having already topped the first and second Rounds of the contest, Bou met current World number two Adam Raga in the Final, which was decided when Raga picked up five-point scores on three of the six Sections leaving Bou with an unassailable lead.


“Undoubtedly, this is the best way to start the season: with a win," Bou said. "In the first two rounds I have already driven touching perfection and in the final I have continued along the same line. It has been a difficult and very demanding test with the piloting as evidenced by the scores. On the other hand, the public of La Reunion has had a great time with the competition and the show. Therefore, the balance is unbeatable.”

Adam Raga had to settle for second but remains positive, “I am happy with today's result. I made some mistakes in the final, but I drove very well in the first and second round. It has been a really difficult test since the areas had a very high level and we have suffered to overcome some of them. The balance of this first round of the Championship is positive.”

Third place on the podium was contested between Vertigo’s two new signings, Jaime Busto and Miquel Gelabert. Busto took the place picking up two marks on the single Section play-off, while Gelabert scored five after just exceeding the one minute time limit.

“It has been a good way to start the season since starting with a podium is always positive," Busto said. "It is true that today has not been one of my best days on the bike, but hey, we will continue fighting hard to be as close as possible to the ones in front and stronger for the next test.”

Jorge Casales took fifth overall on his debut for Gas Gas ahead of young Gabriel Marcelli whose debut as a permanent rider saw him in third place after Round One but he then scored a maximum 25 marks in his second Round heat.

“For this first round I was nervous, feeling a little uncertain, because it was my first race with GasGas," Casales explained. "But overall, I can say that I am pleased with the way I performed. I felt better and better in every section. We managed to make it to the semi-finals despite the fact that sections one and two were impossible. I was tied with Raga and Busto and only finished behind on time. I feel the X-Trial rules are a little unfair because I rode better than Gelabert, but he ended up getting to the Runner’s Up Final because he was in an easier group. However, my second round was very good, so this gives me a lot of positive motivation. Importantly, I’m very satisfied with my bike and the team. We’ll keep working and keep improving.”

Both French riders present were eliminated in Round One. Kieran Touly scored a maximum on his X-Trial debut while Beta's Benoit Bincaz struggled with an ankle injury and fell on his first two Sections, missing the cut by a single mark.

The second round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship will be held on November 23 at the Glaz Arena in Rennes, France.

Results: X-Trial Reunion Island 2020
1. Toni Bou, Montesa/Spain, (10 – Final)
2. Adam Raga, TRS/Spain, (17 – Final)
3. Jaime Busto, Vertigo/Spain, (2 – Runners-up Final)
4. Miquel Gelabert, Vertigo/Spain, (5 – Runners-up Final)
5. Jorge Casales, GasGas/Spain, (12 – Round 2)
6. Gabriel Marcelli, Montesa/Spain, (25 – Round 2)
7. Benoit Bincaz, Beta/France, (17 – Round 1)
8. Kieran Touly, Scorpa/France, (25 – Round 1)

Championship Standings: X-Trial World Championship 2020 (after round one)
1. Toni Bou, Montesa/Spain, 20 points
2. Adam Raga, TRS/Spain, 15

3. Jaime Busto, Vertigo/Spain, 12
4. Miquel Gelabery, Vertigo/Spain 9
5. Jorge Casales, GasGas/Spain, 6
6. Marcelli Gabriel, Montesa/Spain, 4