The TrialGP World Championship has come to an end with the closing of the Italian GP, held in Pietramurata. Toni Bou, who had already been proclaimed World Champion in the previous round, added another victory. In Trial2, victory and title for Matteo Grattarolla, while in Trial125 the title went to Billy Green and the victory to Martín Riobo.
The 2018 TrialGP World Championship ended without any major surprises, with Toni Bou dominating despite injuries, although with a much higher level of competition than in other seasons. In the first half, their big threat was Jeroni Fajardo, who was dropping his performance slightly as a result of an injury and went from fighting for the title to consolidating the runner-up position. Raga, on the other hand, had the opposite. He started the season irregular due to a physical problem and it has not been until the halfway point of the championship where he has fought for victory in each race, finally allowing him to overtake Busto in the standings and get closer to Fajardo in the general classification. Finally, third place for him.
For Jaime Busto, who has one win under his belt, it was a bittersweet ending. He has been consistent all season, but he has lacked an extra to be fighting for the runner-up spot. Finally, fourth position for him.
At the Italian GP Bou made the difference in zone four, which he was the only one to overcome, and from there he managed his advantage very well against a very good Raga in very good form. Fajardo completed the podium.
In Trial2, Matteo Grattarolla’s resounding victory allowed him to add his first world title in the category. Toby Martin, third in the race, is the runner-up in the world championship, tied on points with the Italian. The championship podium was completed by Gabriel Marcelli, who in turn was second in the Italian GP.
In Trial125 great victory for Martin Riobo, new runner-up in the world championship of the category. Championship winner Billy Green was third in Italy. Pablo Suárez completed the positions of honour of the season in a race where he was fifth.
DECLARATIONS
Toni Bou
I’m very happy with today’s race, as we didn’t start in the best way, but we fought until the end and we got through it by doing a very good second lap with only two penalties and recovering the feeling on the bike. I’m very happy to be able to finish the season with a win. Now it’s time to enjoy this triumph and the World Title because soon we are thinking about the Trial of Nations that we will compete in next week.
Finally, I want to thank the team doctor, Joaquim Terricabras and all his medical team who have helped me recover from my injuries during the season.
Adam Raga
I’m satisfied with the season. It didn’t start very well for me, with physical problems that prevented me from being in full condition. Since the middle of the season we have fought for the victory in every race, we have been close to the runner-up position and the feeling is very good. It’s the line we need and in 2019 we hope to keep improving.
Jeroni Fajardo
I’m super happy with the result. This has been a long and competitive championship. At the beginning we started very strong and the results were very good in Camprodón, in Japan, in Andorra, in Portugal… even in France where he was already injured. That injury ended up taking its toll on me, because I was not able to train on the bike for many days and the level of riding suffered a bit. But I’m very happy, because we were able to get the good feelings back. Today was not a perfect race but it did help us to get on the podium and maintain a two-point advantage over the third-placed rider to be World Runners-up. I can only say that I am very happy and that I want to thank the team for the great work and effort made to achieve this runner-up position
Jaime Busto
The truth is that today has not been one of my best days. We didn’t start the race too well in the first sections, but then we improved. But Adam [Raga] rode very finely, he did very well, and we couldn’t make up the gap. The season has gone quite well, although perhaps we expected a little more, but we are going to keep working and next year we will try to give even more in the World Championship
