28/01/12 - Marseille: Bou makes it three wins in a row

An exquisite Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa proved once again why he is head and shoulders above his rivals as he completed his two-night dominance at round three of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Marseille, France. The unrelenting Catalan outclassed his challengers for the second night in a row, cruising to a comfortable victory five marks clear of runner-up Adam Raga - Gas Gas. Albert Cabestany - Sherco completed the all-Spanish podium at the Palais des Sports arena, seven marks adrift of his slightly younger arch-rival and compatriot.

Loris Gubian - Gas Gas, who roused his home crowd with an inspired performance on Friday, luck ran out in the semifinal as he was relegated alongside Jeroni Fajardo - Beta. The latter was extremely disappointed with his below par performance. Come the final Bou made a rare mistake, losing his balance in section five and picking up maximum points. It was his sole error in what was one of his most polished rides this season.

Bou’s team mate, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa was less graceful over the big steps. The Japanese rider’s flamboyant style and over-enthusiasm saw him crash out of a dual lane race spectacularly, his bike flying over the crowd barriers to gasps from the audience. It was the most dramatic of his exploits over the two-day event, and it resulted in a fourth place finish.

Cabestany was angry at himself for making a handful of uncharacteristic mistakes. His third place was by no means a disaster, but it does mean he leaves Marseille tied on points with Raga in the championship standings. Raga was more upbeat and satisfied with his riding. The series now takes a five-week break before commencing again in Madrid in early March, where Bou will attempt to keep his one-hundred per cent record intact and make it four wins from four rounds. Right now, few would bet against him if his swagger in Marseille was anything to go by.

news and photos by Jake Miller (FIM Press)
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Bou centra la terza vittoria consecutiva

Tutto come si poteva prevedere. Un'eccezione: Bou ha fatto un cinque, perdendo l'equilibrio alla zone cinque. La sua vittoria e' stata meno netta. Ancora cinque i punti di distacco inflitti al secondo classificato, Adam Raga. Albert Cabestany ha completato il podio, con Fujinami al quarto posto.
Ora sosta di 5 settimane ed appuntamento a Madrid che precedera' la prova italiana di Milano.