It’s been more than a fortnight since the previous race of the TrialGP World Championship that was held in Tolmezzo, Italy, and where the winner turned out to be Takahisa Fujinami. The Japanese Repsol Honda Team Trial rider still remembers that great moment that was the 34th victory of his career.
It had been five years since his last triumph, and twenty-four! from the first time he climbed to the top of the podium. He was 17 years and 237 days old at the time. It was a record of precocity that he still holds today. But after winning Sunday’s race in Tolmezzo he also set a new record: that of the oldest rider to take a victory in the Trial World Championship at 41 years and 151 days.
Fujinami, who has 11 race wins in France and 18 podiums. The last time he was on the podium he did so after winning the Lourdes race in 2016.
ABOUT THE FRENCH TRIAL GP
The Japanese rider is confident that the route of the Charade circuit will suit his driving style and that he will be able to sign a good result in the race again.
The new regulations for this season affect the route, which will have, unlike last season, only two laps of a total of 12 sections. The maximum time allowed to complete the first lap will be two and a half hours. After a 15-minute break for refreshments, the second pass to the areas will take place in one hour and 45 minutes, with the maximum total time allowed per rider being 4h30m. Unlike the Italian GP, there will be only one day of competition in France.
QUOTES Takahisa fujinami
Takahisa Fujinami: "I'm still hungover from the win in Italy. Although I had hopes of being able to get back on the podium, I never imagined that I could win, especially at my age! Another thing will be to fight to win the World Cup, which I see as complicated even if you never say never. I always keep my hopes up and obviously I'm going to do my best to be able to do better in the next race in France."
