Toni Bou becomes the first leader of the 2019 TrialGP World Championship after achieving a notable victory in a trial made complicated by the delicate state of the competition terrain. Team-mate Takahisa Fujinami earned a well-deserved sixth position after displaying good form.
The opening of the FIM TrialGP World Championship was marked by rain which appeared intermittently throughout the weekend at the OffRoad Park in Pietramurata (Italy). The sections were muddy and required impeccable precision by riders to be able to salvage anything out of each section.
After qualifying yesterday, Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami were forced to practically open the track with virtually no reference points ahead. Today’s trial, featuring fifteen sections over two laps, proved to be a tough affair. On lap one Toni Bou picked up several penalty points for two serious, yet surprising errors. The champion did, nevertheless, hold onto the leadership through the opening lap. On lap two, the Repsol Honda Team rider dug deep to break away from the pack at the head of the leader board. Bou finished the day atop the podium, sporting a 28-point advantage over the nearest second placed rival.
Repsol Honda Team companion Takahisa Fujinami got off to a fine start in the outdoor season finishing in sixth position in spite of having been in the tussle for the top positions. However, errors in the latter stages of the trial left the Japanese rider without options of a rostrum place.
The next round of the TrialGP World Championship will be held at the Motegi circuit in Japan, with a double-day event. The qualifying round takes place on June 7th with the main events on 8th and 9th June.
Toni Bou
I am very happy with my riding today. It is true that on the first lap I made two serious mistakes by pushing against two arrows. On the second I had a great ride picking up just four points in a very complicated trial where the terrain was very slippery. I wish to thank the whole team because they have worked very hard all winter to get us here in such strong shape.
Takahisa Fujinami
The first lap of this trial in Italy went pretty badly but on the second one I was able to pull back a little bit and until section ten was in fourth position. In the final sections I made mistakes that made me drop to the sixth position. I am very happy with the bike. This season I have also worked a lot physically, so I feel good. Now, to fight for the next race in Japan.
Private: Miquel Cirera
Today the terrain was really difficult, it was very slippery and it was very easy to make mistakes. Toni made many mistakes on the first round but for the second the spectacular Toni of always was back. He produced one of the best laps ever made in a world championship event. Meanwhile Takahisa Fujinami worked hard, on several occasion reaching his rivals at the top, but a sixth overall position at the start is not bad at all. It has been a fine start to the world championship, but we will continue working towards the next event in Japan.
TrialGP of Italy 2018 results
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | L1 | L2 | L3 | T3 | Champ | Team | Constructor | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bou Toni | 1 | SPA | 25 | 4 | 4 | 20 | Repsol Honda Team | Montesa | 33 | |
| 2 | Raga Adam | 67 | SPA | 45 | 19 | 2 | 17 | TRRS Factory Team | TRRS | 66 | |
| 3 | Bincaz Benoit | 73 | FRA | 46 | 34 | 5 | 15 | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 86 | |
| 4 | Busto Jaime | 69 | SPA | 40 | 45 | 3 | 13 | Vertigo Factory Team | Vertigo | 88 | |
| 5 | Fujinami Takahisa | 6 | JPN | 52 | 39 | 5 | 11 | Repsol Honda Team | Montesa | 96 | |
| 6 | Gelabert Miquel | 9 | SPA | 47 | 55 | 3 | 10 | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 105 | |
| 7 | Kadlec Franz | 66 | GER | 60 | 47 | 4 | 9 | TRRS Factory Team | TRRS | 111 | |
| 8 | Dabill James | 22 | GBR | 57 | 42 | 13 | 8 | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 112 | |
| 9 | Noguera Oriol | 13 | SPA | 57 | 55 | 2 | 7 | Team Jotagas | JTG | 114 | |
| 10 | Price Jack | 34 | GBR | 60 | 57 | 0 | 6 | Gas Gas | Gas Gas | 117 | |
| 11 | Farre Arnau | 19 | SPA | 63 | 62 | 1 | 5 | Team Jotagas | JTG | 126 | |
| 12 | Casales Jorge | 33 | SPA | 72 | 50 | 6 | 4 | Vertigo Factory Team | Vertigo | 128 | |
| 13 | Peace Dan | 38 | GBR | 66 | 62 | 1 | 3 | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 129 | |
| 14 | Riva Andrea | 96 | ITA | 75 | 66 | 1 | 2 | TRRS Factory Team | TRRS | 142 |
Location Information
| Race format | 15 sections x 2 laps |
Pietramurata, Trento, Italia - View in Google Maps
Records
| Podium 2018 | Toni Bou - Adam Raga - Jeroni Fajardo |
| Podium 2017 | Toni Bou - Adam Raga - Jaime Busto |
