Repsol Honda Team one-two sees him triumph ahead of teammate Gabriel Marcelli, repeating the result from last season.
A magical night at the Madrid Arena for the sixth round of the X-Trial World Championship saw Toni Bou achieve victory and be crowned World Champion once again. His 17th indoor title -the 34th overall- was clinched thanks to a win ahead of Repsol Honda Trial Team teammate, Gabriel Marcelli, in second place in a repeat of last season’s result in Madrid.
The afternoon started in an unbeatable way for the two Repsol Honda Team riders. Bou won the first two rounds, making it to the final alongside Marcelli, who was third, and mathematically securing the title – as he only needed to finish fifth to do so. In the final, Marcelli led the race until the last zone, in which a fiasco relegated him to second position.
Bou, had a fiasco at Zone 2, but recovered on Zone 4 with a clean as Marcelli was unable to complete it. Maintaining composure, he took the fifth win from six races this season.
The season finale will be held next week in France.
Toni Bou:
“I’m super happy about tonight. In Madrid, at the home of Repsol, it was important for us to win the title. Furthermore, I won all three rounds and we had a very exciting final, where Gabri made things very difficult for me. Leaving here with a one-two finish is incredible and winning the 34th title is even more so.
Winning a title with a victory is the best thing, although the important thing is always to get the title. We started the final very well in Zone 1, but we made a mistake in Zone 2 and it made life very difficult. The area where the difference was made was Zone 4, because it was very difficult to overcome that obstacle, but I am very happy to have achieved it and to have tied with Gabri. Winning on the last zone was amazing.”
Gabriel Marcelli:
“Today my riding was very good and I managed to stay with Toni throughout the final, even going ahead in some cases. In the end we finished with another second position, which is a super positive result and I am very happy about it, as we were just two points behind Toni. Everything was decided on the last section, so it was very exciting both for us and for the fans who came out in Madrid to see us. Taking another podium is very positive and it allows me to stay third in the championship, so I am very happy with how the season is going.”
