Raga Moves Into The Lead
World Trials Champs
Gas Gas' Adam
Raga has moved to the top of the 2014 FIM Trial World Championship after
securing his third win in succession, this time at the European GP in Corsica.
The
two day event turned into a one day event when Unfortunately all the riders
exceeded the time allowance for the course and in the end no results were
declared for day one of the event.
A good
strong crowd of island residents came out in the sunshine to watch the riders
in action on the Sunday. Sixteen riders were entered in the World Pro class to
contest the action over three laps of twelve sections with the majority of them
based around the headland of orange rock overlooking the coastal port of the
picturesque area of Corsica.
Like
on the second day of the previous round in Japan, Adam
Raga once again overturned an opening lap deficit to
take a decisive and important victory in the title race.
Back
at full fitness after the injury he sustained to his rib prior to round two, it
looked like it was business as usual for Toni Bou – Repsol Honda as he carved
out an early lead at the end of lap one.
However,
mistakes in sections six and eight on the second lap by Bou put Raga in front,
a position that he would not surrender as he produced two incredible closing
laps to win by an impressive thirteen marks. Despite his errors Bou rode to a
comfortable second place, as was the case for Albert Cabestany – Sherco who was
an easy third on what was his two hundred and fiftieth GP start.
"I
am never happy to finish second as my goal at every competition is to
win," Bou (pictured left) lamented.
"Since
the last round of the championship I have not been able to train as much as I
would have liked as I had to rest to give my three cracked ribs the chance to
recover.
"Before
the next round in one weeks? time I will resume my regular training schedule
and go to Italy with one thing on my mind and that is to win and move back to
the head of the championship standings," the Spaniard concluded.
Jorge Casales – Gas Gas continued his rich
run of form as he improved on his best ever seventh place in Japan to finish in
a stunning fourth place as he adapted well to the almost Spanish like
conditions. Although somewhat off the pace of the leading trio, Casales held
off a spirited challenge from Matteo
Grattarola – Gas Gas, who
equalled his highest ever placing as this duo did damage amongst the more
established riders.
After three laps of twelve sections around the costal course, Casales has now
moved up to sixth overall in the championship. Italian rider Matteo Grattarola took his first championship points
after being absent from the opening two fly-away events.
Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol
Honda suffered his equal worst result of the campaign to date as he could only
manage sixth place on the day, as the veteran rider found the many large steps
and steep rock faces not to his liking.
"When we went to the training area at this event I did not feel
comfortable with the terrain. The rocks we were riding on gave a very high
level of grip to the machine which did not suit my riding style," Fujinami
explained.
"On my first lap I had too many five mark penalties to challenge for the
win but I came back very strong on my second lap. Mostly though I am happy to
retain my third place position in the championship standings,"
Britain’s James Dabill – Beta never recovered from a poor
opening lap and had to settle for seventh this time out.Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco was the best of the French
riders at what was almost a home GP for him, and was just one of the riders who
benefitted from Jeroni
Fajardo’s – Beta misfortune.
The Spanish challenger injured his left wrist in training in the morning and
had to embark on a damage limitation process that saw him finish in a lowly
ninth place, eight marks ahead of Pol
Tarres who completed today’s
top ten.
Raga will take a slender two point lead in the general standings with him to
Italy next Sunday.
Main Photo: Adam Raga on
his way to victory in Corsica
Results: IIe Rouse (Corsica) ? 25.05.2014
No results where recording during Day 1
Day 2
1: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 14;
2: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 27;
3: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 39;
4: Jorge Casales (Gas Gas-ESP) 65;
5: Matteo Grattarola (Gas Gas-ITA 67;
6: Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda-JPN) 70;
7: James Dabill (Beta-GBR) 71;
8: Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco-FRA) 77;
9: Jeroni Fajardo (Beta-ESP) 102;
10: Pol Tarres (Sherco-ESP) 110.
World Championship
1: Adam Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 90;
2: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 88;
3: Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda-JPN) 68;
4: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 66;
5: Jeroni Fajardo (Beta-ESP) 59;
6: Jorge Casales (Gas Gas-ESP) 47;
7: James mDabill (Beta-GBR) 47;
8: Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco-FRA) 38;
