Cycle News Staff | September 14, 2021
Repsol Honda Team rider Toni Bou won for the second day running in the FIM TrialGP World Championship at Pobladura de las Regueras, León, to secure a sixth win of the season. Bou increased his lead in the championship standings to 19 points.
As had been expected, Bou had a fight on his hands on day two after winning day one. Opponent Jaime Busto put the pressure on the champion, and it wasn’t until the very final sections that the event swung in favor of the Repsol Honda Team rider. With the triumph, the sixth of the season, Bou increases the gap at the head of the overall championship, now holding a 19-point lead over second-placed rider Adam Raga. Bou needs just a single point next Saturday to be crowned 2021TrialGP champion.
“We battled hard throughout the trial,” Bou said. “I made a mistake in section eight, and I knew that section 11 would be my last chance, I took a gamble and it worked out well. Winning in the final sections is an incredible feeling. I want to congratulate Jaime Busto because he was really strong, not just today but all weekend, and I think this is very good for trial. There will be a great final battle with Adam Raga. This is very nice and adds more value to the wins.
“I’m 19 points ahead in the general standings, but before the last race in Portugal, anything could happen. This week I will have to be careful and for the final race we will have to be very focused so that we don’t have any mechanical issues or anything that could prevent us from winning the world championship.” CN
Laia Sanz Tops Women’s Podium at TrialGP of Spain
With everything to play for, Laia Sanz has delivered one of her most important performances in this year’s TrialGP series. Needing to stay as close as possible to Women’s class leader Emma Bristow to ensure a chance of winning the title at next weekend’s final round in Portugal, Laia did exactly what she needed to do by winning day one and finishing as a close runner-up on day two at the TrialGP of Spain. With one day of competition remaining, Laia sits just one point behind Bristow!
Laia Sanz: “It was a really good weekend for me. The first day went perfectly as I managed to get the win – a much needed victory to keep my championship winning hopes alive. Today, day two, it was a pity because I could have won again. If I had I would have made things a lot easier for myself in Portugal next weekend, but I made some silly mistakes and finished second. The second lap was not easy for me, apart from making some mistakes I struggled a lot with my physical condition as I was feeling tired. It’s a bit disappointing because I did not fight as I wanted to. But I still have a strong chance of getting the championship and that was the goal before competing here in Spain. Everything is to play for next weekend.”
Competition at the top of the TrialGP Women’s class was super close at the penultimate round of the series in Pobladura de las Regueras, with Laia taking the win by just a single point over second placed Berta Abellan on day one. Claiming her second win of the series to date, Laia also saw defending class champion Emma Bristow finish in third position, very much putting Laia back in the championship hunt with her British rival.
Starting well on day two, Laia looked set to repeat her day one result. But, not feeling 100%, she lost a few more marks that she hoped she would, eventually placing second at the end of the day behind Bristow. Now, with the final one-day round of the series taking place in Portugal next weekend, Laia sits just one point behind Bristow.
Day 1
- Toni Bou (Mon)
- Adam Raga (TRRS)
- Jaime Busto (Ver)
- Gabriel Marcelli (Mon)
- Matteo Grattarola (Bet)
Day 2
- Toni Bou (Mon)
- Jaime Busto (Ver)
- Adam Raga (TRRS)
- Gabriel Marcelli (Mon)
- Matteo Grattarola (Bet)
TrialGP Women’s
- Laia Sanz (GASGAS) 25 marks
- Berta Abellan (Vertigo) 26
- Emma Bristow (Sherco) 30