The Repsol Montesa Honda riders Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami finished first and second respectively in the eighth trial in the World Championship, held this Sunday. This one-two occurred one day after Laia Sanz dominated, in the same place, the first trial in the Women’s World Championship, a competition in which she aims to take what would be her tenth title. Toni Bou has consolidated his leadership of the World Championship and with just three trials to go, he has a 21 point advantage over the rider in second place, which was taken today by Takahisa Fujinami. Similarly, Montesa has taken a leap forward to add a new manufacturers’ title to the twelve it currently holds.
Toni Bou finished the first lap through the 15 sections in first place, which were made more difficult by the heavy shower that fell yesterday afternoon. In the second lap, the multi-world champion finished it off with the best score of the day. Takahisa Fujinami also worked very hard in this second lap, who despite a fall, managed to climb a position and finish second.
In the Junior category, Laia Sanz finished eleventh (96 points, two more than the rider in eighth), after climbing six positions in the second lap.
The ninth and last but two trial in the World Championship will be the San Marino Grand Prix, which will be held next Sunday, 18 July, in Baldasserona.
Toni Bou
“My first lap was difficult, with little ‘feeling’. I know that the score might not show it but to be honest, it could have been much better. It was vital to take advantage of the fact that I was not the first out in the sections and in this respect; I must congratulate Fujinami who, despite this disadvantage, did a great job. My advantage in the general has increased but I don’t want to think about anything else except the next trial and concentrate on not dropping out of the podium positions. Looking beyond that would not be the best thing to do at the moment”.
Takahisa Fujinami
“It was a very tough trial but the result rewards the effort. In the first lap, I did the first half of the sections quite well before making a few small mistakes. In the second, the terrain was drier and had more grip but it was also very hot and just as tough. I fell in section 12 and hurt my right ankle. I suffered until the end but was able to keep second place. It’s a fantastic result, both for me and the team”.
