Next weekend the eighth and final round of the Outdoor World Championship will be held in the town of Isola 2000 (France), replacing the Myslenice event, which finally could not be held due to the damage caused to the terrain by torrential rains. It will be, therefore, in France, where the new World Champion lifts the most important trophy of the entire year.
It’s been more than four months since the frenetic title race began, a period in which they have crossed seven different countries and left a comfortable lead in favour of the reigning champion, Toni Bou. The thirteen points lead seems to be enough to crown the 24-year-old rider, a native of Piera. However, although the trajectory of the championship marks this scenario as the natural one, we must not forget Adam Raga, who has achieved two victories this season and will wait for the slightest mistake from his greatest rival to snatch the throne from him.
Gas Gas states: “To be able to win again and finish so close to first place on Saturday is the best thing to be able to fight again for the victory in the two days of racing that we have left to do in France. I’m looking forward to this last grand prix of the year and showing our level once again.” Raga looks strong, there is no doubt, and he is already preparing for the assault on the 2012 title, but in the meantime he will try to stumble upon the most immediate, 2011.
For this scenario to take place, Raga would have to win both races, scoring the corresponding 40 points and Bou would have to be off the podium on both days. There can also be setbacks, and that’s Raga’s main asset. In addition, Bou has Fujinami as his squire, who can always lend him a hand and sink in the standings to Bou’s advantage, as the Japanese has absolutely nothing at stake.
The fight for fourth place will also be exciting. Fajardo has not been able to take advantage of the fact that Cabestany was not in Japan and has only left the Japanese country with an advantage of 3 points, which is insufficient if we take into account that the Sherco rider is much stronger than the Ossa driver.
Another eye should be on what they do Dabill, Brown and Gubian. They are playing for sixth place, which Dabill is very hungry for after a mediocre season as the first official Beta driver. They are only separated by 5 points; we’ll see if Gubian’s pride at home or Dabill’s technical quality can do more. It’s going to be a very interesting fight.
In Junior we will see a nice race and the very possible crown of Alfredo Gómez, who has an advantage of 19 points and is the main favorite. However, neither Moret nor Tarrés, who follow him in the standings, give up the battle, so the excitement is more than served.
See chronicle of the G.P. of Japan
We’ll keep you posted at Trialworld!
Text: David Quer
