2007 Indoor World Trial Championship Round 7

Menorca Stadium, Menorca Spain - 24/2/2007 - Attendance:

Team Montesa Cerebrates Bou's First World Title

Fujinami wasn't in a form to fight for the podium in Menorca. The injured foot didn't make a big recovery, as it is the part of his body that had been abused in the past battles. Fuji finish at the distance fourth place, and the result gave him a sure ticket for fourth in the standing with one round left to go.

Fuji started the qualification lap with two consecutive fives. The sections in Menorca were relatively easy, so those were crucial mistakes for him. He knew it was going to be any good, because he saw Fajardo, the regular wild card rider, finishing his observed sections with ten points earlier. Fuji fought back to mark cleans at the section three and four, though an unfortunate trouble struck him at the section five. He cleared the toughest part of the section with a huge step, and was about to go down to finish. When he hooked the engine's under guard at the edge of the obstacle preparing to go down, the engine stalled. The rule states the maximum penalty points for stopping the engine when the part is touching the obstacle, thus further five points penalty for the Fuji. He marked two more cleans to finished the observed sections with 15 points.

The battle became very competitive among the riders starting after Fuji. Bou showed a perfect ride with seven cleans despite being under huge pressure for taking the title at the round, and both Cabestany and Raga finished with a single point. It looked sure that Fuji's fifth place was fixed - five points gap against Fajardo with Double-Lane left to go, but there was an announcement that Fajardo has retired before the DL. The wild card rider showed an extreme action at the end of the section seven to surprise everybody, though he broke the wrist in a process.

The rival's retirement saved Fuji, and also changed his role at the DL. Originally Fuji was to ride against the team-mate Lampkin, but the order was re-arranged, and it was Raga; the strongest opponent to Bou for the title battle, who would ride with Fuji. Speaking of the personal result, Fuji didn't need to win the DL, but Fuji had a chance to give a little help to his team-mate by beating Raga, which might change the outcome of the championship battle. Because the starting order for the Final Lap is decided according to the results in the qualification lap, beating Raga at the DL might make him starting earlier than Bou. Fuji might be able to disturb Raga's concentration by beating him as well. Fuji rode the DL to live up to the expectation of the whole Montesa team, to finish ahead of the Spaniard. Fuji's competition was over, and he finished fourth with 15 points.

At the following Final Lap, Bou missed the victory to finish second behind Cabestany. But it was all the Montesa rider needed, and he clinched the 2007 ITWC title. It was very happy moment for the team Montesa after the event, especially the young Spaniard, who joined the team this year. Bou showed his maximum thanks to all the people at the team, because he knew his success could not be possible without two years of dedication and all the hard work by the senior riders and the whole team for the development work with the bike.

Although slowly, Fuji's injury is getting better everyday. He had two days of practicing time on the bike - with his foot being taped, before the Menorca round. He is now concentrating on nursing his physical condition without pushing too much for the next round in ITWC and the championship to follow.

Quote from Fujigas:

I had a series of five point errors, and was very frustrated today. But at the end I finished at the usual fourth place. I am very happy for Bou for taking the title. Toni repeatedly said thank you to all the people at the team Montesa. I think we are the great team this year, and it is a privilege to be a part of it. I am very much looking forward to the competitions for the rest of the season with them.

pix: --

Click for the Official Results PDF

In order to use a PDF file, Adobe Reader (no charge) is required.
Please click the banner.

RESULTS TOP | PAGE TOP