Toni Bou (Repsol Montesa-HRC) has extended his legend by adding his fifteenth consecutive X-Trial World Champion title and he has done so in a scenario where he had never achieved it before, the X-Trial of Barcelona that closed the 2021 season with 6,100 spectators in the stands of the Palau Sant Jordi.
The World Champion added his fourteenth victory in Barcelona, beating his teammate Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) in the final after having started the race with a five in the initial zone, being the best in the second round and beating Marcelli in the final with a penalty of 11 points less than him.
MARCELLI ACHIEVES HIS BEST RESULT IN AN X-TRIAL
For his part, Marcelli achieved the best result of his sporting career, unseating in the second round the man who took third place in the opening race of the season in Andorra la Vella, the Vertigo rider Jaime Busto. The Basque rider competed for third place alongside Adam Raga (TRRS) who, in the end, took the win. Raga, who has become the rider who has competed the most times in Barcelona with 20 races disputed, has qualified third in the first round and has been overtaken by Bou and a difference of 5 points in the second.
RAGA AND BUSTO BATTLE IT OUT FOR THE PODIUM
With these results, Bou, Raga and Busto have occupied the final podium of the 2021 X-Trial World Championship.
Miquel Gelabert (Gas Gas) and Matteo Grattarola (Beta) were eliminated in the second round. The Italian, who was fourth in Andorra la Vella, qualified third in his group, as did Gelabert, who was two points behind Raga in the other.
DRIVERS ELIMINATED IN FIRST ROUND
Jaime Casales (Gas Gas), Toby Martyn (TRRS) and Jeroni Fajardo (Sherco) were eliminated in the first round of the competition.
"Toni Bou has won his 30th world title, 15 outdoors and 15 indoors, all of them consecutive."
DECLARATIONS
toni bou (P1)"It was fantastic to be able to achieve victory and the title in Barcelona, the cathedral of X-Trial. I started a bit stiff in the first section, but I recovered quickly to be the best in the second round and win the final. To win here, in front of the home crowd, my family and friends, is exceptional and, in addition, it is the first time that I have been proclaimed World Champion in Barcelona. I'm very happy for this fifteenth world title and for having won both rounds."
GABRIEL MARCELLI (P2)"I'm happy with this result, which is exceptional. I felt at ease throughout the race and I tried to concentrate as much as possible at all times. Last season I wasn't at my best and this is the best way to make amends. I achieved the best result of my sporting career and to do it in Barcelona has been exciting"
ADAM RAGA (P3)"My goal was to win the race to win the title but it wasn't possible. After finishing third in the first round, I played the second round in the same group as Toni and I couldn't make it to the final. It was a demanding trial in the first two sections and a bit easier in the rest. Today's ninth World Championship runner-up finish is an important enough achievement for me because I continue to stay at the highest level as the oldest rider in the Championship."
xtrial classification BARCELONA
GP BARCELONA - xtrial
- TONI BOU (MONTESA)
- GABRIEL MARCELLI (MONTESA)
- ADAM RAGA (TRRS)
- JAIME BUSTO (VERTIGO)
- MATTEO GRATTAROLA (BETA)
- MIQUEL GELABERT (GASGAS)
- JERONI FAJARDO (SHERCO)
- TOBY MARTYN (TRRS)
- JORGE CASALES (GASGAS)
