Toni Bou, Repsol Honda, took another step to secure his fifth consecutive Indoor title. Bou remains undefeated in the X-Trial World Championship after achieving a new victory at the Geneva Indoor Trial, held yesterday night in the Swiss City. With this triumph, his fourth consecutive win in this year's world championship, the Repsol rider has a 23 point advantage over his closest rival, Albert Cabestany. There are still 40 points attainable.
As he did in the first three rounds, Toni Bou was able to show his splendid form in areas of a high technical level. The Champion led the qualifying lap (5 points) and finished the semifinal with no penalty points. In the final, two areas away from the end, the Repsol rider mathematically secured the win, showing that he is in a league of his own.
Takahisa Fujinami, who is still recovering from a neck injury suffered three weeks ago in Marseille, was fifth in the qualifying (11
points, only two points away from the second). In the semifinal, he showed a level that would have allowed him to reach the next phase, but he finished out of the final by two points, due to penalty for exceeding the time in the last two obstacles.
Toni Bou could secure the title in the next event, which will take place next March 12th in Madrid.
Toni Bou
“After achieving a new victory last Sunday in Barcelona, it was very important to keep the concentration. It is fantastic to have won all four events, everything is going our way and our motivation is at its highest. Nevertheless, we know we cannot get too confident. 23 points is a good margin, but there are still 40 available and, as we could see, our closest rival is very strong.”
Takahisa Fujinami
“I felt much better than in Barcelona. I am recovering from the injury and I was able to offer a good show. It is a pity that the two points for exceeding the time prevented me from getting into the final. It is what can happen when you go out in second position, because there are no real references of the time needed and everything is more difficult. Despite having finished fifth, this time I don't think it's a bad result.”
Ginebra X-Trial Results
1 Toni Bou 10 points
2 Albert Cabestany 22 points
3 Jeroni Fajardo 25 points
4 Adam Rag 25 points
5 Takahisa Fujinami 8 points
World Championship Classification
1 Toni Bou 80 points
2 Albert Cabestany 57 points
3 Adam Raga 48 points
4 Jeroni Fajardo 36 points
5 Takahisa Fujinami 26 points
[Press Release and Photos Courtesy of Repsol Honda]
