The Tarraco Arena hosts the final round of the indoor season this Saturday, with Toni Bou already crowned champion and Gabriel Marcelli battling for the runner-up position.
Repsol Honda HRC face the final round of the 2016 X-Trial World Championship this Saturday, as the series hits Tarragona for the first time. Toni Bou and Gabriel Marcelli arrive at the Tarraco Arena highly motivated after a great season for the pair.
Bou comes into the finale having already secured his 39th World Championship title at the previous round, held in Chalon-sur-Saône, France. The Repsol Honda HRC rider has enjoyed a near-perfect season, with seven victories in the eight rounds held to date. Adding to this achievement is the recent Trial des Nations win, alongside Marcelli. In Tarragona, Bou will be looking to finish the year on a high note and put the finishing touch on another terrific campaign.
Marcelli has a clear objective after a season of significant growth. The Montesa Cota 4RT rider is on a run of his first indoor Trial des Nations title and a second place in the last round in France. In Tarragona, Marcelli will fight to secure the runner-up position in the X-Trial World Championship, which would be his best result in the series to date. He currently holds a 10-point lead over third-placed Jaime Busto in the overall standings.
Toni Bou
“Obviously, the approach to this race is different since the title isn’t at stake, but the objective remains the same: to go for the win and put on a great show for the fans. I’m very proud of the season we’ve had. After starting the campaign with shoulder problems, it was difficult to imagine these results, so the team’s work has been incredible. Finishing the year close to home is the best way to do it. Although we’re already focused on the outdoor season, we want to say goodbye to the X-Trial campaign with a great performance.”
Gabriel Marcelli
“I’m heading to Tarragona very satisfied with how the season has gone. I’ve been consistent and have achieved very solid results, although I’m just missing the victory to my name, which is the main objective this weekend so as to finish the year on a high note. I think I’ve taken an important step forward, despite a couple of tricky events, and the overall assessment of the season is very positive. The idea is to go out there and fight for the win without losing sight of sealing the runner-up position, so I’m approaching this final event with a lot of motivation.”
Takahisa Fujinami
“We arrive in Tarragona having achieved our main objectives already, but are eager to finish the season strongly. Toni has once again demonstrated a high level of performance throughout the year and wants to close it out with another victory. Gabri has taken a very solid step forward and has a great opportunity to secure the runner-up spot. It will be a special event, at a new venue. Our goal is to maintain the level of commitment and competitiveness that we have shown from the beginning.”
Location Information
Tarragona, Spain - View in Google Maps
