07/04/12, Nice -FIM X-Trial des Nations: Spain show their supremacy
There was to be no surprises at the first ever FIM X-Trial des Nations held in Nice, France with
the Spanish duo of Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa and Albert Cabestany – Sherco romping to a
convincing victory in front of a packed stadium. Whilst the host nation threatened to cause an
upset during the early part of the evening the French team consisting of Alexandre Ferrer –
Sherco and Loris Gubian – Gas Gas eventually had to settle for the final podium place. In the
end second spot went to the popular Japanese pairing of Tomoyuki Ogawa – Repsol Montesa and Takahisa
Fujinami - Repsol Montesa. Great Britain finished a disappointing fourth leaving the rookie’s of
the competition, Norway in fifth.
A new and unique format was utilised for the FIM X-Trial des Nations. The event was basically
split into two laps, with one of the two riders from each team completing one lap each. The
lap consisted of six observed sections that had to be ridden within the seven-minute time
limit, with riders being penalised an additional one mark for each time they rested on their
sump-guard. Following this a speed section, where the riders had to complete a specially
devised route against the clock and where observation marks were not a factor, replaced the
normal dual lane race. The fastest rider was rewarded with zero marks, the second fastest
with one mark and so on.
Cabestany got the action under way and rode with the added pressure of being the first rider
out on a course that was relatively easy, but would also show that it would punish any slight
mistake. Albert was typically composed and set the tone for the Trial losing only a single mark
for momentarily touching his sump-guard in the third hazard. Great Britain’s chance of
challenging for a top spot was over before it began as James Dabill – Beta crashed out on the
fifth section doing damage to himself and his machine. He was to take no further part in the
event.
Ferrer had the hopes of France resting on his young shoulders as he took to the stage and he
responded brilliantly each time the capacity crowd roared and he was to be the only rider to
go clean on the first lap. Ib Andersen - Gas Gas from Norway put up a brave performance, and
did well to remain uninjured as he suffered a string of spectacular crashes. Ogawa produced a
solid showing dropping just six marks including a five on the final waterfall section. Cabestany
maintained the Spanish momentum as he then went quickest in the speed section, a feat that
was matched by Bou when it came to his turn to show his true pace.
Fujinami cemented Japan’s podium spot with a single dab lap as he got the second half of the
Trial underway. However which podium place Japan would take was not clear as Gubian took centre stage for France. Unfortunately the crowd’s excitement was not met, as Loris failed to
meet their expectations of sealing the runners up spot when he fived the first and last
sections of his lap. It almost got even worse for the French fans as Michael Brown – Gas Gas
delivered a ride that looked like it might even rob the home nation of third position. However
as Brown failed the waterfall, the audience breathed a deep sigh of relief, as it became clear
that the bronze medal belonged to France.
Bou rounded out the evening with an incredible and public pleasing demonstration to take the
win for Spain, some seven marks clear of Japan, who finished eight marks ahead of France in
what was an exciting and entertaining first ever FIM X-Trial des Nations.
News and photos by Jake Miller (FIM Press).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIM X-Trial delle Nazioni: la Spagna dimostra la sua forza!
Nessuna sorpresa alla prima edizione del FIM X-Trial des Nations disputata a Nizza, Francia con il duetto spagnolo
Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa e Albert Cabestany – Sherco impostosi in modo convincente di fronte ad uno stadio stracolmo. La nazione ospitante, forte di Alexandre Ferrer –
Sherco e Loris Gubian – Gas Gas, si e' conquistata il podio, ma nella prima parte della gara era addirittura al secondo posto ad un punto dagli spagnoli. Al termine la piazza d'onore e' andata ai giapponesi Tomoyuki Ogawa – Repsol Montesa and Takahisa
Fujinami - Repsol Montesa. Quarti gli inglesi davanti ai norvegesi.
