2006 Indoor World Trial Championship Round 4
Milan, Italy - 29/1/2006 - Attendance: 3,500
First Podium in 2006 for Fujinami
Fujinami stood on the podium for the first time in 2006 season at
the fourth round of IWTC. A week before in Granada, Fuji commented
that he needed a decent result to boost his motivation. He carried
out his words at the very next round in Milan, Italy.
The sections in Milan were very tricky, forcing the riders either
cleans or complete failures. It looked to be another tough round considering
the way the team Montesa fought in the season so far. Furthermore,
most of the sections in Milan were again brought from Spain, so there
was no good news for the riders who were to chase Spanish leaders.
It was Bou who picked the first starting order ahead of Maurino. Fuji
was the fourth starting rider among the permanent riders following
Fajardo, Cabestany and Raga.
Trickyindeed, and even Bou and Fajardo, two of three previous winners
of the season, couldn't avoid adding multiple five points penalties.
Cabestany and Raga on the other hand showed their strength andfinished
the observed sections with six points and two points, respectively.
Raga in particular had one point at the section four with one point
time penalty, showing almost perfect ride.
Fujicompleted his observed sections with fourteen points including
two fives. Ironically, having two fives saved Fuji in Milan, where
in the past three rounds, those two fives costed his final lap appearance.
Lampkin meanwhile started last, and he rode with fifteen points including
three fives. So both Montesa riders managed to move up their positions
in the qualification lap.
Thelast spot for the final lap was decided between two Montesa riders.
Lampkin won the Double-Lane against Fuji, so they finished the lap
in a tie. However, Fuji finished his seven observed sections six seconds
quicker than the team-mate, and Fuji secured the third spot for the
final lap.
As expected, Fuji spent a tough time at his first final lap of the
season. Lampkin and Cirera carefully watched Fuji riding. They noticed
that Fuji successfully climbing up the step, having almost equal performance
to the other two. But the shape of the under-guard plate on Montesa
was too smooth, so Fuji had problem hooking the bike on to the surface,
often slipping off from the sections. The opponents had much jaggy
plates - too jaggy for Montesa's standard, but certainly hooking better
than Montesa's. Having one of their riders competing at the higher
level unveiled a problem, which wasn't noticed before. Montesa will
have some modifications before going to their home round in Barcelona.
Thepoint gap became bigger as the battle progressed, and when it
reached at the half way, there was nothing Fuji could do. Having nothing
left to lose, Fuji tried to ride in a style to entertain Milan fans.
He lived up to the expectations, winning the DL against Cabestany and
almost beat Raga later too. Fuji was in a good pace riding against
Raga, and he made a sharp jack-knife turn in attempt to extend his
lead. However, he did a bit too much to drop the rear wheel from the
box to fall off. Fuji rode final three sections flamboyantly having
one five and two cleans. Milan fans mush have enjoyed Fuji's ride as
much as the rider did.
There is still long and tough way to go, but 2006 season truly started
for Fuji with the first podium of the season.
Quote from Fujigas:
Indoor Trial World Championship 2006
Granada |
Final Lap |
1. |
Adam Raga |
Gas Gas |
5 |
2. |
Albert Cabestany |
Sherco |
14 |
3. |
Takahisa Fujinami |
Repsol Montesa HRC |
26 |
Qualificarion Lap |
1. |
Adam Raga |
Gas Gas |
2 |
2. |
Albert Cabestany |
Sherco |
7 |
3. |
Takahisa Fujinami |
Repsol Montesa HRC |
15 |
4. |
Dougie Lampkin |
Repsol Montesa HRC |
15 |
5. |
Toni Bou |
Beta |
21 |
6. |
Jeroni Fajardo |
Gas Gas |
21 |
7. |
Daniele Maurino |
Gas Gas |
34 |
Point Standings |
1. |
Adam Raga |
36 |
2. |
Albert Cabestany |
29 |
3. |
Toni Bou |
25 |
4. |
Jeroni Fajardo |
22 |
5. |
Takahisa Fujinami |
18 |
6. |
Dougie Lampkin |
14 |
7. |
Daniele maurino |
4 |
8. |
James Dabill |
3 |
9. |
Jerome Bethune |
2 |
10. |
Tadeusz Blazusiak |
1 |
11. |
Shaun Morris |
1 |
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