Today Toni Bou – Repsol Honda became the first ever rider to win eight FIM Trial World Championships as he took the victory once again, this time on the final day of the 2014 series at the Spanish Grand Prix held at Arnedo. Bou knew that only an absolute disaster would prevent him sealing the title today, but like the true champion he has become over the last eight seasons Toni created history in style as he claimed his seventh win of the current campaign. Bou now stands alone with the twenty eight year old now having won eight FIM Trial World Championships to overtake Jordi Tarres and Dougie Lampkin who both won the series seven times each during their respective careers. Bou eventually ended the series fifteen points ahead of his nearest rival.
Adam Raga – Gas Gas was runner up on the day to cement his second place in the series, and as has been the case for most of the year, he was the only rider to seriously challenge the newly crowned champion on the day. Jeroni Fajardo – Beta completed the eighth all Spanish podium of the 2014 championship, but this was not enough to overhaul Albert Cabestany – Sherco in the final standings as the Beta rider placed fourth for the year overall. Cabestany rounded out his 2014 campaign in fourth position today to claim third in the final rankings, this being the first time that the Sherco teamster has been in the top three since 2006.
Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Honda saw his assault on a possible top three finish in the series fade away during the latter GPs as the veteran campaigner began to feel the effect of his long standing knee injury. The Japanese rider finished in fifth spot both overall and today and will undergo surgery to his knee in the next couple of days. James Dabill – Beta made some amends for his poor showing yesterday as he claimed sixth spot in the Trial to end his year ranked sixth overall. Jorge Casales – Gas Gas, Pol Tarres – Sherco, Matteo Grattarola – Gas Gas and Alexandre Ferrer – Sherco were split by only eight marks as they respectively completed the top ten for the last time in 2014.
To avoid the time issues of yesterday, today section five was removed to reduce the course length and the overall time limit was extended for the same reason. This, along with a few minor modifications made for a better Trial.
Newly crowned winner of the FIM Trial World Cup Jaime Busto – Beta closed out his campaign with his seventh win of the year, coming home eight marks ahead of Miquel Gelabert – Sherco who was a surprise runner up after his previous career best fifth place yesterday. Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta completed the podium for the second day in a row whilst Franz Kadlec – Beta finished fourth today to reinforce his second spot in the series overall.
For the second day in a row it was Switzerland’s Noe Pretalli – JTG 2014 who topped the FIM 125 Trial Cup class as he added his second victory in the series to the maiden win he took yesterday. Like twenty four hours earlier again his margin of victory was decisive as he was again followed home by France’s Romain Corna – Beta. Italy’s Andrea Riva – Beta finished off his season with his best ever result as he completed the podium on day two. With the 2014 FIM 125 Trial Cup already won by Gael Chatagno – Sherco earlier in the year, Teo Colairo – Gas Gas and Pretalli secured second and third positions in the final general standings.
Not surprisingly Montesa once again sealed the manufactures championship thanks to Bou’s and Fujinami’s exploits.
With all classes in the 2014 FIM Trial World Championship now concluded, many of the riders will now head to Andorra for next weekend’s season closing FIM Trial des Nations.