DAY 2
BACK TO BACK WINS FOR BOU IN GREAT BRITAIN

Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa HRC made it two wins out of two days of competition at the Grand Prix of Great Britain, the third scoring round of the 2009 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. As on the first day of competition runner up spot went to Adam Raga – Gas Gas with the remaining podium position being occupied by Albert Cabestany – Sherco.

With five of the fifteen sections modified from day one, the course was changed from yesterday, but it was not the hazards that were to prove the challenge to Bou. The young Spaniard was beset with problems with his bike early in the day resulting in a spectacular crash in the fourth section when the bike lost power at a critical moment. This failure early in the lap gave Raga the advantage, but with him dropping a five on the tenth section and Bou’s bike problems having been identified as a blockage in a breather pipe and resolved, the pair were tied on eight marks apiece going into the second half of the competition.

Bou took the advantage after Raga dropped a dab in the third section, but a five from Bou in the sixth hazard, which he cleaned on the first lap, handed the lead back to Raga. However, another five from Raga, again on the tenth section assured Bou of his fourth victory in the championship to date.

Bou now leads the overall series standings on ninety seven points with Raga nine points behind on eighty eight. Cabestany remains in third position, nineteen points adrift of Raga.

The Junior Championship saw Alexz Wigg – Beta emulate Bou with back to back wins over the two days of competition. Matteo Grattarola – Sherco celebrated his best finish of the season so far by taking second place with Alfredo Gomez – Montesa completing the Junior podium line up.

Wigg now extends his lead in the Junior Championship to eleven points over second place Gomez, with Grattarola in third place.

In the Youth class, Carles Traviesa proved his win in the first day of competition was no fluke by repeating his performance of yesterday. Jonathan Richardson – Sherco was second with Ben Morphett finishing third.

Richardson still leads the Youth Championship with Traviesa seeing his double wins this weekend lift him from sixth position in the overall standings to second. Tanguy Mottin – Gas Gas is in third place, tied on the same points as Traviesa.

The Championship now takes a three week break prior to travelling around the World for the Grand Prix of Japan on 6th/7th of June.


HONDA RACING INFORMATION
Weather: Saturday – Light showers / Sunday – Sun with some cloud
Temperature: Saturday 12 degrees C / Sunday 15 degrees C
Attendance: 5,000

Bou takes back to back wins in Great Britain

Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa HRC on his factory Cota 4RT increased his advantage at the head of the 2009 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship thanks to two hard fought victories at the Grand Prix of Great Britain. Bou now has a nine-point lead over arch rival Adam Raga – Gas Gas who finished as runner up on both days. In contrast it was not the best of weekends for Toni’s team-mate Takahisa Fujinami who failed to finish on Saturday due to a heavy fall, but bounced back brilliantly on Sunday despite his injured ribs to claim a very unexpected fourth place.

The third round of the current series was hosted a disused sandstone quarry close to the border city of Carlisle. Sitting high on the hill over looking the rolling valley below, the ultra compact course comprised entirely of man made sections that proved a good test for the World’s best riders. Heavy rain was forecast throughout the weekend, but in reality this only materialised into a few light showers during Saturday’s competition.

Typically Bou and Raga traded blows as they moved through the early and relatively easy hazards, with Toni holding a single mark lead over Adam until section eight. Here the reigning champion made a really bad error that instantly cost him five marks and put Raga in the driving seat. However Bou was soon to rectify his mistake with the best ride of the trial in section ten. His clean ride up and over the steep jumble of rocks on his factory four stroke brought a roar from the crowd, as he became the only rider to reach the end cards on a hazard that was never conquered again on the day.

From here on in Bou began to stretch his advantage over Raga, to take his first day victory by a comfortable nine marks come the finish and after his early scare. Veteran campaigner Dougie Lampkin – Beta rounded out the podium in front of his younger compatriot James Dabill – Gas Gas, who took fourth. By the trial was coming to an end Fujinami was already undergoing an examination in the local hospital on his suspected broken ribs following his massive crash on section thirteen on the first lap.

Day two dawned with good news for Takahisa, as the doctors confirmed he had not broken any bones and would be allowed to compete in Sunday’s trial. Overnight changes to five sections meant the riders faced a slightly more difficult challenge for the second day. Bou began strongly again with cleans in the opening two sections, but needed a dab in the third hazard as his bike failed to rev out cleanly. His mechanics attended immediately to trace and rectify the fault and believed they had done so only to see Toni fail dramatically in the very next section as the engine misfired just at the wrong moment.

Further investigations then found a small stone had blocked one of the fuel pipes, and with this now removed Bou was faced with the task of clawing back marks on Raga who had been gifted the early lead. Again it was at section ten where Toni put his assault back on track with yet another stunning clean, to close the lap level on marks with Adam despite his problems. Toni looked back in control as he edged in front of the Gas Gas rider, but another poor error, this time in section six saw him add five marks to his tally.

Bou for the third time in the weekend had to rely on a wonder ride in section ten on his final visit to move back in front of Raga. This one epic ride was enough to give him his second victory, as he finished three marks ahead of Raga to take maximum points from his trip to Great Britain. Fujinami produced a super human effort on both laps to claim fourth spot, which had seemed an-impossibility at the start of the day.

Bou -  1st / 1st : ”Overall I have to be happy, as I have taken two victories, but that is not the whole story as it has been a difficult weekend for many reasons. The sections have not been that severe, but on both days I have made some mistakes that have nearly cost me the win each time. We had a small problem with the bike this morning, that caused me a few problems, but in the end I rode at an incredible level and think that I deserved the victory, especially today.”

Fujinami – DNF / 4th  : “After the crash yesterday, I was not sure if I was going to be able to start today. Yesterday the doctor was not happy for me to continue, and even for my own health, it was probably the best solution that I went to the hospital immediately. Today I thought I could ride just to gain a few points, but in the end I have been close to being on the podium. I have a lot of pain, but it has been worth it now that I have achieved this result.”

Laia Sanz – Repsol Montesa HRC was absent from this weekend’s event, with the female team member having opted to compete in the Women’s Trial European Championship in Poland instead. This is a title that Laia has won seven times consecutively already.

DOUGIE LAMPKIN - Day 2
Dougie Lampkin produced a fantastic closing lap on the second day of the Grand Prix of Great Britain to rescue fifth place come the finish. The veteran campaigner endured a difficult opening lap and languished down in eighth spot after the morning session. Over night changes to five of the hazards produced a tougher test on day two, and one that Dougie struggled to get to grips with as early as section two.

With his podium finish just twenty-four hours earlier still fresh in his mind, Dougie fought his way back into contention with the help of the home crowd who responded noisily to efforts on each and every occasion. However Lampkin’s assault on another top three placing was soon to come to an end as the thirty-three old notched up three more failures in the last six sections, including a spectacular crash in section thirteen where he was lucky to escape injury.

Angry with himself, Dougie really attacked the second lap, and remained feet up through the first seven hazards on his final attempt. A dab in section eight was his first loss of the lap, and only a five at the ultra difficult tenth section spoilt what otherwise was a near perfect performance. Lampkin’s closing tally of ten marks hoisted him up to a respectable fifth spot come the finish.

Dougie has now moved within a point of fourth place in the overall standings, after three out of eight rounds. Lampkin commented, “This morning was an absolute disaster, I never hit anything hard enough and each time it ended in a five. Thankfully I managed to turn things around on the second lap with some much better riding. Fifth is not too bad, but another podium place was here for the taking today. Overall it has not been a bad weekend, especially in terms of the championship. Finally I want to thank the crowd as they have been right behind me throughout the weekend.”


REPSOL MONTESA HONDA
Toni Bou obtains his fourth consecutive victory and Takahisa; Fujinami almost reaches the podium.
Laia Sanz wins the first event in the Women’s European Trial Championship.

An excellent weekend for Toni Bou (Montesa Cota 4RT) in the British Trial Grand Prix, winning again in a very intense event this Sunday. This fourth consecutive victory in the current World Championship has increased Toni Bou’s leadership in the general classification to 9 points. Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa Cota 4RT), who had to abandon yesterday, due to a chest injury because of a fall, was only one point away from a podium position and also contributed to a new victory for Montesa in the classification by manufacturers. The next two events in the world championship will take place in Motegi (Japan) on June 6th and 7th.

Toni Bou: “I’m delighted by the victory, which was a tough fight. We had problems with the bike that meant I wasn’t at ease during the first lap, but we solved them. In the second lap I made an absurd mistake that cost me five points and made me work really hard until the end. Two victories in the same weekend and their corresponding points are, no doubt, the best result possible.”

Takahisa Fujinami: “After a bad fall yesterday, I think I did as well as possible. I was competing with quite a lot of pain and in addition I opened the zones, which is always a disadvantage. Under these conditions, I think it’s satisfactory to have finished just one point away from the podium. Now I’m thinking about the next two events in my country, and I hope to be in the best shape to try and break Toni’s streak of victories.”

Laia Sanz (Montesa Cota 4RT) started with strength, winning the first event of the Women’s European Trial Championship held in Krzeszowice (Poland) with authority and beginning the struggle for what could be her eighth consecutive continental championship title in the best manner possible. Laia Sanz finished the event with 2 penalty points (one per lap), compared to the 7 of Rebekah Cook (Sherco) and 15 of Iris Krämer (Scorpa), who came in second and third respectively. The European Championship will consist in another two events, to be held in Pragelato (Italy) and Tanval (Czech Republic) on July 19th and 25th respectively.

Laia Sanz: “The trial had two really selective zones, and the rain that had fallen before the event started, increased the difficulty of the first lap. I felt good, both with the bike and my concentration, two fundamental factors. To start like this is the best thing that could have happened.”


Day 2 Results: (2 Day event)
World
1: Bou 13
2: Raga 16
3: Cabestany 26

Junior
1: Wigg 6
2: Grattarola 11
3: Gomez 13

Youth 125cc
1: Traviesa 5
2: Richardson 7
3: Morphett 8

2009 FIM Riders Championship Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 97
2: Raga 88
3: Cabestany 69

Junior
1: Wigg 97
2: Gomez 86
3: Grattarola 75

Youth 125cc
1: Richardson 92
2: Mottin 65
3: Warenghien 65

2009 FIM Manufacturers Championship Current Standings:
1: Montesa 146
2: Gas Gas 140
3: Beta 109
4: Sherco 101

DAY 1
BOU WINS THE FIRST DAY OF THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX

Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa HRC survived an early first lap scare to eventually run out a clear and comfortable winner on the first day of the British Grand Prix. Adam Raga – Gas Gas once again proved to be Bou’s nearest challenger, but his attempt to steal the victory from his compatriot faded during the second lap. The Spanish pair were in a class of their own, with third place being taken by veteran campaigner Dougie Lampkin – Beta, after Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa HRC retired due to injury.

The heavy rain that had been forecast never actually arrived, with only light showers interrupting the day. The opening series of hazards that had been packed tightly into the disused sandstone quarry offered little resistance to the front runners, with section six taking the first real marks. Albert Cabestany – Sherco suffered badly here with a hefty five that was to mark the start a bad day for the rider from Tarragona who finally finished down in fifth spot.

Bou looked in total command until a mistake cost him dearly in the eighth hazard. This five was to wreck his clean sheet and was to give Raga the lead, with Adam having only parted with a single dab to the same point. However Bou was soon to make amends for his error as he produced the ride of the trial in section ten. His amazing clean up and over the steep jumble of rocks was the only one of the day, and in fact was the only time that any rider reached the end cards of this tough hazard.

Raga failed to maintain his challenge on the second lap allowing Bou to take the win by nine marks after two unexpectedly dry laps of competition.
 
In the Junior class Alexz Wigg – Beta made the best of his home advantage and recorded a two mark win over fierce rival Alfredo Gomez – Montesa. Italian rider Matteo Grattarola – Sherco completed the Junior rostrum.

Jonathan Richardson – Sherco lost his 100% record in the Youth category and had to settle for third on the day. Spain’s Carles Traviesa – Gas Gas earned his first ever victory and was followed home by his compatriot Pere Borrellas – Gas Gas.

Tomorrow will see the second day of the Grand Prix of Great Britain.


DOUGIE LAMPKIN - Day 1
Dougie Lampkin recorded an emphatic third place on the opening day of the British Grand Prix and doing so moved up to fifth in the overall standings. Urged on every inch of the way by a noisy home crowd, Lampkin responded almost like he use to and gave his many fans much to cheer about as he fought his way on to the podium.

Whilst heavy rain had been widely predicted, this never actually materialised and the water overhead was limited to just a few light showers. Dougie looked very much at home on the often-slippery sandstone rocks and found himself in second place after the first eight sections on the opening lap. A five at the all but impossible tenth section did little to dampen his assault, but two further failures right at the end of lap left Dougie in joint third come the punchcard change.

Lampkin maintained his form during the early part of his second lap to move into a clear third place, as the thirty-three old continued to use all his experience to carve out his best result for over a year.  Again it was the latter sections that cost Dougie most dearly, but despite these losses he managed to come home seven marks clear of his younger rival James Dabill.

The ex multi World champion last visited the podium at the final round of the 2007 series in Andorra. Dougie’s best result last season was fourth spot on no less than five occasions.

“Apart from a few mistakes in the last few sections each lap, I am very happy with the way I have ridden today. Right from the word go I felt both strong and confident and that is something I was pleased to maintain right through the trial. Too many times recently I have started well and then faded. It felt good to be back on the podium, especially in front of my home fans.”


REPSOL MONTESA HONDA DAY 1
Toni Bou wins a very difficult event, which Takahisa Fujinami had to retire due to an accident

Toni Bou (Montesa Cota 4RT) has increased his advantage as leader of the World Trial Championship after winning this Saturday the first session of the British Grand Prix, the fourth scoring event. The current world champion achieved the best scores on both laps of a track that was made more difficult by intermittent rain.

Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa Cota 4RT) fell in the first lap (zone 13), receiving a strong chest injury and was immediately taken to a hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention. Fujinami was fifth in the world championship general classification and this mishap has led him to lose two positions.

Toni Bou: “Firstly I’d like to send a message of encouragement to my team-mate, I hope he gets better as soon as possible. Today’s trial event has been very demanding by any standards and Adam was always close at hand, showing his strength once again. To win in these conditions is even more satisfactory. Tomorrow will be another day, I’ll try to be at the top of the podium again and carry on adding valuable points, step by step.”

The fifth scoring World Championship event will take place tomorrow, in the same venue, and Toni Bou will again defend his leadership. At the same time, Laia Sanz (Montesa Cota 4RT) will begin a new edition of the Women’s European Trial Championship in Krzeszowice (Poland), a championship in which she has won seven consecutive titles.

Day 1 Results: (2 Day event)

World
1: Bou 13
2: Raga 22
3: Lampkin 40

Junior
1: Wigg 11
2: Gomez 13
3: Grattarola 18

Youth 125cc
1: Traviesa 2
2: Borrellas 3
3: Richardson 7

2009 FIM Riders Championship Current Standings:
World
1: Bou 77
2: Raga 71
3: Cabestany 54

Junior
1: Wigg 77
2: Gomez 71
3: Grattarola 58

Youth 125cc
1: Richardson 75
2: Mottin 60
3: Borrellas 54

2009 FIM Manufacturers Championship Current Standings:
1: Montesa 113
2: Gas Gas 113
3: Beta 89
4: Sherco 82