The 2017 X-Trial World Championship kicked off at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona at a historic moment, as it coincided with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of this race and the organization had prepared a great tribute to the riders who have marked an era.
The route, a priori less selective than expected, once again worried the drivers in the qualifying round. Few zones and impossible to fail to qualify. Once in flour, the riders found a pass in the “Braktec” zone that brought them to the forefront, as the front end slipped and all the riders, except Dabill and Fajardo, left the maximum score here.
Kadlec was making his debut in an X-Trial and had a meritorious performance. He did not miss a strong blow in the Gas Gas area, from which he recovered and heroically finished the tour. Fujinami didn’t have his night. He also made a good hit in the “La Vanguardia” area and finished in sixth position. A good performance by Jaime Busto, who only took a penalty in two areas and convinced with his driving. Fifth final position for the wild-card.
In the first round, Bou and Raga qualified, both adding only the fiasco of the first zone. Behind them, Fajardo with one more point and Cabestany with eight in total.
The final would be contested with these four riders. Except for Fajardo, the rest of the riders managed to solve the traumatic passage of zone one, so a priori there would be greater equality in the rest of the route. This would not happen, as many of the areas would be carried out in the opposite direction, making it more selective. In this round Toni Bou had no rival, completing the course with only points and putting on a show in the area of the waterfall, making it just one wheel.
Good performances from Raga, Fajardo and Cabestany. Fajardo, on the other hand, provided the first podium for Vertigo in an X-Trial.
The next race of the X-Trial World Championship will take place on March 11 in the Austrian town of Wr. Neustadt.
PILOT STATEMENTS
Adam Raga
I’m satisfied with my riding. The points don’t reflect it so much, but I’m happy with the dynamics of the work. I also value very positively my performances in Sheffield and Toulouse, where I was very close to achieving victory. The bike is fantastic and we showed that it’s at the level we need to win. We keep working hard to be higher in the next races.
Toni Bou
I’m very happy for many reasons: to start the World Cup winning, to do it in Barcelona, for the 40th anniversary… There are many reasons. The night was unbelievable and I started with a mistake in the first zone of qualifying. But I was able to recover and the final was fantastic. People have been able to enjoy themselves a lot, there has been a great show and you can tell that they were vibrating. It couldn’t be better.
Takahisa Fujinami
It was a shame to fail in zone 1, because in the other areas I felt quite good, with more confidence than in previous seasons. Even though I haven’t trained as much for indoor this year, I felt very confident on the bike. It was a shame not to be able to get into the final, but it’s only the first race, there are still many to go and I’m very motivated. During the pre-season I haven’t been able to work much on my physique, because of the chest injury, but I still feel better than in other years. Participating in Barcelona is always special, because it is like my ‘home’ and all my family, friends and sponsors have come.
Jaime Busto
I’m really happy with how it went today, although it was a shame to be the first one to go through the sections, because it always makes it more difficult. In the first one, I made a mistake that almost all of us have made, but I think I could have avoided it. Afterwards I felt very comfortable and I was very satisfied with the result. On the bike I felt very good and I hope that the other indoors will be the same, because I think I have managed to improve compared to last year and I am very motivated.
James Dabill
It has been a difficult event for me. And the truth is, I felt a lot better than I did today. I started a bit nervous in the first section. And in the second one, I had a fall and broke the handlebars. I had to change bikes and it was difficult to find a good rhythm again with a different bike, even though they are the same. It has not been possible to perform at 100%. And shortly after, I made a couple more mistakes that didn’t allow me to get into the final
X-TRIAL BARCELONA CLASSIFICATION
QUALIFYING ROUND
1) Toni BOU – 5 points
2) Adam RAGA (TRS Motorcycles) – 5 points
3) Jeroni FAJARDO – 6 points
4) Albert CABESTANY – 8 points
5) Jaime BUSTO (wild-card) – 10 points
6) Takahisa FUJINAMI – 12 points
7) James DABILL – 17 points
8) Franz Xaver KADLEC – 20 points
FINAL ROUND
1) Toni BOU – 5 points
2) Adam RAGA (TRS Motorcycles) – 21 points
3) Jeroni FAJARDO – 24 points
4) Albert CABESTANY – 24 points
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