The Repsol Honda Team rider achieved yesterday a victory in the first round that was held in Budapest, where Fujinami could not qualify for the semi-final round.
Bou led with confidence during the first round –taking only one penalty point– and his semi-final round, where only the best of each group was qualified.
In the Final round, he started losing some terrain, but he was able to recover and secure the first place in the inaugural round of the 2019 X-Trial FIM World Championship.
His team mate in the Repsol Honda Team, Takahisa Fujinami, was not able to repeat the position he achieved in semi-final last year in this same track.
The second round of the Championship will take place on February 3rd at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona.
TONI BOU – 1st
“I’m very happy to start with a win. It was amazing to be able to achieve this victory after my rib injury, from which I’m not completely recovered yet. We need to keep working to improve, because I think I’m not where I should be yet. This year I didn’t train much and I’m not at my usual level. There is still time and I want to recover as soon as possible. In 2018 we won, but we suffered a lot with the injuries, that is why I want to thank Joaquim Terricabras and his medical team for all their help, especially with the recovery from my rib injury.”
TAKAHISA FUJINAMI – 8th
“I honestly believe that today I had chances to pass, but I made two important mistakes and I was out. We are several riders with a similar level and seeing how this one has gone, I think if I train a bit more the next two weeks, I can get a better result in Barcelona.”
