Toni Bou Takes Ninth X-Trial Title
Jean Turner | March 16, 2015
Repsol Honda’s trials sensation Toni Bou captured his ninth consecutive FIM X-Trial World Championship with one round still remaining. The Spaniard rode to a convincing win in Wiener Neustadt, Austria ahead of Beta’s Jeroni Gajardo and Gas Gas rider Adam Raga. It was Raga’s third-place finish that locked up Bou’s title at the penultimate round of the indoor trials championship.
While no one cleaned the first of six obstacles, Bou proved to be the only rider able to clear the second obstacle in the Arena Nova – a feat that garnered him with the overall win. From there he piloted his Montesa Cota 4RT to a smooth and dominant win.
“I’m really very pleased,” Bou said. “The way that Adam [Raga] has been going lately, I didn’t expect to win the title here. It was a very tricky and technical race and Jeroni was really sharp today. I felt really comfortable in all the sections, and the crowd got really into it, too, which is really good for the sport.
“It’s difficult to reflect on what this title means; nine is a lot, and I never thought I would be able to win so many. The bike has run like a dream all year and the team has always been supportive and I’d like to dedicate this victory to them, to my minder Joan Cordón, to my family and friends and everyone who follows me.”
Jean Turner | Contributor
A former staffer at Cycle News, Turner continues to contribute to the website and magazine as a columnist and someone we can count on to whip up a few thousand words on an off-road race when needed.
