Maximum radioactivity at Fukushima

Adam Raga has been the winner of the last race, held in Great Britain, of which you can see the report at this link. With this victory, the Gas Gas rider now has two throughout the current campaign, but they have not been enough to stop the unstoppable pace of Toni Bou, who has scored the rest of the victories and has consistency as his main ally.

The 50 points in Japan will be key to see if Raga can close the gap and get into the fight for the title, or if it helps him to consolidate a runner-up position that, after the announcement of not going to Japan by Cabestany.

From Trialworld.es we will keep you informed throughout the weekend of all the news that happens in Japan.

With less than 20 days left for Japan’s controversial GP dispute, today we woke up to this news about the Fukushima nuclear power plant, where the highest levels of radioactivity since the earthquake last March have been detected. 

The pilots are still unsure about this and many of them have stated that they will not be in Japan, like Cabestany. Bou’s ballot is difficult, as he is also not in the mood to travel to Japan and says he is worried about it, since his main rival at the head of the provisional election, Adam Raga is very clear that he will be at Motegi And he hopes to fight to get the 50 points that are distributed there and that can be decisive for the championship.

In fact, now the two riders are separated by only 15 points, so if Bou doesn’t go, Raga would practically sentence the title, so he is practically obliged to go if he does not want to see a 2011 crown that he has practically within reach.

As soon as we have news, we will let you know. For the moment we leave you with the clarifications and news that we marked at the beginning of July of Raga and Cabestany.

During the last few months, the debate between the Federation and the drivers had one main topic to be addressed: resolving the ballot of what to do with the G.P. of Japan. After this country suffered one of the most regrettable tragedies in human memory, accentuated by very serious nuclear problems that pose a certain risk to all those who are exposed to the consequent radiation.

Motegi, which is Honda’s headquarters and the site of the Trial GP,is just over 100 km from the Fukushima plant, with the recommended protection radius being at least 80 kilometres. It is therefore at too narrow a limit of the security cordon, so the decision has not been easy. Added to this is the uncertainty and lack of knowledge, as no source clarifies with certainty what the risk and the situation in the country is, nor the consequences of being exposed in the area during the 4 days that pilots spend in Japan.

In the end, the G.P. of Japan will be played.

Some pilots have already expressed themselves on their websites or have sent statements, although the vast majority, few friends of communications or the press, do not pronounce themselves on the matter. Among the demonstrators, we have two opposite extremes, which curiously caters to those who are playing for the runner-up position and to be able to scratch points from Bou. We’re talking about Albert Cabestany and Adam Raga.

Adam Raga argues that “It’s his profession as a pilot” and interprets that going to Japan is an act of “solidarity”, So he fully trusts that “Japan is a very advanced and democratic country, so there is no reason to think that there is the slightest danger in going to Motegi.”.  He also attacks “false pretexts for not going to Japan.”

Albert Cabestany insists that he has asked the FIM for several reports “Not at the infrastructure level, but at the health level”, where he assures that “I haven’t received any response.” It also points out that “andI didn’t have received any
It leads me to think that the situation is not under control, if they had not rushed to show the opposite to the eyes of the world.”, so all this has led him, as he bluntly clarifies to “DO NOT participate in the 2011 Japanese GP”.

From Trialworld we do not want to lean towards one rider or another, but it is true that, in addition to the great economic effort that the riders must make to go to Japan, there is also the uncertainty and risks that arise for the health of the riders. Cabestany is a family man, a great professional and competitive, but with enough rationality not to think about a race or a championship, but about life. Raga, despite being of a similar age, is more euphoric and has seen the very clear opportunity to have 40 more points at stake to hunt down Bou, since if both days of the G.P. in Japan are suspended, Bou would have the title almost sentenced.

After the possibility of France hosting a new GP to replace the one cancelled in Poland, we are sure that it would not be such a short championship, although it would be less international. We want to leave it up to you, the fans, to have your say in these events. For our part, we leave you with the complete texts of Raga and Cabestany. You can also find Cabestany’s on their website: www.albertcabestany.com

Text: David Quer

Adam Raga

Because I want to go to Japan.

Firstly because I am a professional trial rider. My job is to compete in different championships representing my brands, my sponsors and my fans. More trials means more publicity, more impact and helping this sport not lose popularity.

Second, because when a friend is in trouble, we must help him. Our mouths are full of solidarity and camaraderie, but then at the first sign of change we move on to everything. Japan is a very advanced and democratic country. There is no reason to think that there is the slightest danger in going to Motegi. Let’s not forget what Japan has done for many, many years for the world of motorcycles. They have contributed like no one else in the world to popularizing motorcycling.

Now is the time to be professional, responsible, and grateful. Away with the false pretexts for not going to Japan. Let us do our duty and help this great country recover from the tragedy it has suffered. Long live trial. Adam Raga.

Albert Cabestany

Hello friends.

We’ve been talking about Japan for several days (months) now. After the terrible events that took place months ago, we still do not know for sure what the situation is in Japan. Perhaps many people have already forgotten what happened there, but those of us who have to go next August for the Motegi GP, do not stop informing ourselves and looking for references to what happens there. Unfortunately, all the news that reaches me (us) is not very encouraging. Perhaps many of them are “urban legends”, or poorly contrasted, but so are those that say the opposite. I correct what I said, I have not received any news that everything is working normally there.

That’s why I want to communicate, from my website, that neither I nor my team member will travel to Motegi the week of August 20/21. I have sent several e-mails to the FIM, specifically to the CTR, asking for reports on the situation in Japan. NOT at the level of infrastructure, as they have already rushed to show that everything is in supposed order for the dispute of the GP and logistics, but at the health level. And I haven’t received any response. If I were accused of something wrong, had only criticism, and had evidence to prove my innocence, what would I do? Well, I would show them to the world to make it clear that there is no such problem or that the accusation is unfounded. The fact that I have not received any report leads me to think that the situation is not under control, if they had not rushed to show the opposite to the eyes of the world, with data, numbers and contrasted evidence. All this has led me to make the decision NOT to participate in the 2011 Japanese GP, much to my regret. I think that in a situation like this, it doesn’t matter much or nothing to have a good ranking in the World Cup. There are, or rather, I have, priorities in this life.

And speaking of solidarity… That’s what I’m saying, let’s be in solidarity. And for me, solidarity starts with the members of my team and the rest of the participants in this World Cup. I am very lucky to be at SHERCO, a brand that puts the human first in difficult times, and it has shown me once again. As many of you know, the riders have contracts with brands and sponsors which includes participation in all the outdoor world championship races, among others. And the first thing Sherco has done is to update my contract with an addendum which refers to the extraordinary situation that the Japanese country is experiencing, and for which I am exempt from attending the GP. They don’t tell me not to go, but they understand that it’s a delicate situation, and they leave it up to me to choose whether or not to participate in that race. And it’s even more to be thankful for, taking into account the good situation we’re in in the overall standings of the World Championship. Olé by SHERCO!! And for me, the only thing I can do is have the same respect for the people on my team. Friends with family and children, who are also afraid that their loved ones will move to Japan. And the same with the rest of the riders in the paddock. To this day there is no official letter or census of drivers, referring to who will attend and who will not attend the Japanese GP. But after several races where everyone has been talked, I can assure you that only one rider wants to go to Japan. So, I am in solidarity with the subtraction of my teammates, while accepting the decision of whoever wants to go… For all these reasons, I repeat and reiterate, my NOT participation in the 2011 Motegi GP.

If we want to help Japan, I don’t think the way is to play guinea pigs and make it look like nothing is happening there. Unfortunately, this is not the case. What else would I like to say, that I have received verified news that everything is fine, and this August I am going to Japan. But it is not so, my friends. I have already proposed several times to make an exhibition of all the riders participating in the world championship, and raise funds and send that money to Japan. This and any idea you can think of, I will gladly welcome it with open arms. I just want that, let’s face it
S, this is not the time to go there…

A mention from here to the RFME!! Well, today I was informed that after analyzing the pros and cons, they have decided not to send the national team to Japan. On a day like today I feel proud of our Federation, for thinking of its riders, without taking into account other motivations than putting their safety first, and ultimately, that of all of us with this act. THANK YOU!

Greetings friends!

And above all, I ENCOURAGE JAPAN, where I have good friends who are not living an easy situation.

A hug, Cabes. www.albertcabestany.com