Just five weeks ago Toni Bou was undergoing surgery for a fractured fibula, which has kept him at rest, without getting on the bike, until last Saturday, just a week before the start of the World Championship. Even this has not stopped the multi-time world champion from starting the season with a victory.
Only one point separated Bou and Raga in this first race of the 2021 World Championship. Another exciting season awaits us, due to the level and intensity of the calendar
The Italian town of Tolmezzo was in charge of bringing together the best riders in the world after more than seven months waiting to return to competition. In an environment somewhat more relaxed in terms of Covid19 measures than it was the previous season, the drivers had the first opportunity to measure themselves under the non-stop regulations.
The controversial regulations were not a problem in Italy, as the controls were not too strict and there were no cases that devirtualized the final classifications.
Within the course, zones 3, 6, 8, 11 and 12 were especially demanding. This is where victory was at stake.
BOU STANDS OUT AND RAGA CLOSES THE GAP
On the first lap Bou already made a difference, being the only one able to overcome zones 6 and 8 below the fiasco. Thus, he reached the halfway point of the race with a card of 12 points, to 17 for Raga, his closest pursuer. Behind, the local rider Grattarola seemed to be the only one able to keep up with the leading duo, with 20 points to his name.
Everything was to be solved in the second pass through the zones. Bou failed in zones 8 and 12, while Raga did not score any fiasco and thus signed the best lap time of the day, cutting distances to be one point behind the Montesa rider.
GRATTAROLA, THE BIG SURPRISE OF THE DAY
The podium was completed, surprisingly, by Grattarola, reigning Trial2 World Champion and recently promoted to the category. His experience and draw in the race approach, together with the warmth of the Italian public, were key in this final result. Fourth place went to Jaime Busto and fifth to Jeroni Fajardo.
JORGE CASALES, POSITIVE FOR COVID
Of note is the disqualification of Jorge Casales for a positive PCR test on Saturday, despite the fact that on Wednesday he tested negative and was with the team at all times.
PEACE AND DANCE WIN TRIAL2 AND 125
In Trial2, Jack Peace won by the minimum against Toby Martyn, who ended up giving up at the end of the race the minimum advantage accumulated in the first pass through the zones. Third place went to Lorenzo Gandola, followed by Sondre Haga and Alex Ferrer.
In Trial 125 Jack Dance triumphed, followed by the young Harry Hemingway and David Fabian.
Tomorrow, Sunday, the second day of competition will be held in Tolmezzo (Italy).
PILOT STATEMENTS
Toni Bou (P1)"I'm super happy with today's win. I want to thank Dr. Joaquim Terricabras, Oriol Nevot, the physio, and the whole team and family for the great work we have done during this last month so that I could be here today. From the first day of this month we have worked hard to get there and in the end we have achieved it and with a victory. Physically we weren't ready to win so I'm even happier. In general I felt better during the first lap, but after the penalty in zone 3 I started to have discomfort that increased. During this last month I have hardly been able to train so in the second lap I have made some more mistakes as I am already tired of the whole body, but even so I am very happy with the work done. Tomorrow will be very tough as I will be even more tired, but I will give it my all as always."
Adam Raga (P2) "It has been a positive weekend where we have shown that we are at a good level, both in terms of riding and cycling. On Saturday we were close to achieving victory and on Sunday we had to recover, during the second half of the race, certain failures of the first lap that prevented us from being higher up. In any case, a good start to the season, which we face with a lot of desire to achieve our objectives"
TRIALgp italia standings day 1
Italian GP DAY 1 - Tolmezzo - TrialGP
- TONI BOU (MONTESA)
- ADAM RAGA (TRRS)
- MATTEO GRATTAROLA (BETA)
- JORGE BUSTO (VERTIGO)
- JERONI FAJARDO (SHERCO)
- GABRIEL MARCELLI (MONTESA)
- TAKAHISA FUJINAMI (MONTESA)
- MIQUEL GELABERT (GASGAS)
- DAN PEACE (SHERCO)
2021 WORLD TRIAL CALENDAR
2021 WORLD Trial Championship calendar
- GP ITALIA - TOLMEZZO - 12 & 13 June
- GP FRANCE - CHARADE - 3RD AND 4 JULY
- GP ANDORRA - SANT JULIÀ DE LORIA - 21 and 22 August
- FRENCH GP 2 - CAHORS - 28 & 29 August
- GP SPAIN - BAIONA - September 11 and 12
- GP GREAT BRITAIN - TONG - OCTOBER 8-10
- TRIAL OF NATIONS - GOUVEIA - PORTUGAL - September 17-19
