The Repsol Honda rider could clinch his 39th World Championship crown this Friday in France. Gabriel Marcelli remains second in the standings.
The X-Trial World Championship returns to France this weekend with the eighth round of the season, held in Chalon-sur-Saône. It will be Toni Bou’s first mathematical chance to secure his twentieth title in the indoor series, with two rounds remaining of the season. Gabriel Marcelli currently sits second in the standings with 93 points.
A decisive round awaits for Bou in France. The Montesa Cota 4RT rider will have his first opportunity to claim the 39th title of his career. To do so, the Repsol Honda rider will need to secure a lead of at least 40 points over his rivals once the race is over. Currently, the Piera rider has a 42-point lead over second-placed Gabriel Marcelli and a 46-point lead over third-placed Jaime Busto.
Meanwhile, Marcelli is second in the standings with 93 points, and one of his objectives for the weekend will be to consolidate that position and increase the gap over his closest pursuer, Jaime Busto, who is third with 89 points. The Montesa Cota 4RT rider will be looking for his first victory in the indoor discipline, which is one of his goals before the end of the 2026 campaign.
The action will begin at 8pm on Friday in Chalon-sur-Saône.
Toni Bou
"Whenever there's a chance to seal the title, the feeling is different, even if the approach is the same. We've done things very well and gotten this far by being very consistent. This is the first opportunity to reach our 39th title, but we have to take things one step at a time and finish the job. I'm very proud of how we've worked despite the injury I've had The decision not to have surgery on my tendon was difficult, but I feel much better. We'll try to have a normal race. The season has been very good, but the races are close and anything can happen. Even though we have a cushion, the pressure is the same, so we'll fight to get the victory."
Gabriel Marcelli
"Our preparation has been quite good, and I feel good on the bike. The last few training sessions have been great. I'm going into the race confident, self-assured, ambitious, and eager to do well. I hope I can take this victory and make a difference in the overall standings. The goal remains the same as it was at the start of the season: to achieve that long-awaited win. Furthermore, I think it would be a good way to demonstrate my level and consolidate my second place overall. I have to try to fight for my best result."
Takahisa Fujinami
“The team are approaching Chalon-sur-Saône with maximum concentration. Toni has his first mathematical opportunity to secure the title, and that reflects hid constant work done throughout the season -despite the physical difficulties with his right shoulder. We know it won't be easy, because the level is very high and any detail can make a difference, but the goal is to avoid mistakes and maintain concentration in every section. At the same time, Gabriel is in good form, and we want him to consolidate his second position in the championship. After the Barcelona round, Jaime is closer behind, and we need to maintain that points cushion. We are prepared for a decisive and important weekend for Repsol Honda HRC.”
Location Information
71100 Chalon-sur-Saône, France - View in Google Maps
