Takahisa Fujinami achieved a victory in front of his fans and Toni Bou, third, kept the lead in the World Championship.
Takahisa Fujinami won the second day of the Japanese Grand Prix of Trial, held on Sunday in Motegi, where his team mate, Toni Bou, finished third. The Japanese rider of the Repsol Montesa Honda was the most consistent during the three laps around a 12-zone circuit, which allowed him to take victory in front of his public.
Toni Bou received many points during the first lap –18– and offered an excellent performance in the second and third pass, where he only took one point in each lap. This great recovery allowed the several times champion to reach the third step of the podium –1 point away from the second placed and 4 behind Fujinami– and keep leading the overall classification, with 2 points more than his team mate.
The next round of the FIM Trial World Championship will take place next month, May 25th and 26th, in the United States.
Toni Bou,
“During my first lap I didn’t feel comfortable and to recover so many points was nearly impossible. After that, the second and third lap went well, and I was able to finish on the podium, which I thought would be very difficult. I like winning, but if I can’t do it, I’m happy that victory was for my team mate. It is important for him and for the team, as it is important for me to leave Japan in the lead of the Championship”.
Takahisa Fujinami,
“After yesterday’s disappointment, victory was the best thing that could happen. It was very important for me to be able to celebrate a victory in my country, which is also Honda’s, in front of my family and my fans. I felt much better on the bike, I did less mistakes than yesterday and kept a more consistent performance. I also think that the new ‘non-stop’ regulation suits my riding style. They were two very positive days for the team. Yesterday Toni won and today I won, both with the new engine, which works very well”.
