Cycle News Staff | July 25, 2023
Repsol Honda’s Toni Bou (Montesa) was the clear winner high up in the Alps after sweeping both legs of the FIM TrialGP Championship in Italy, July 22-23. The win pulls him even further from his nearest rival Jamie Busto (GasGas) with just one round to go.
Toni Bou is poised to win his 17th title after sweeping the Trials GP of Italy.
Busta’s weekend got off to a miserable start after spotting Bou 20 marks heading into the second of the two laps. The GasGas rider, Busto, however, rebounded nicely in lap two but couldn’t catch either Bou or runner-up on the day, Beta rider Matteo Grattarola.
Adam Raga (TRRS) and Bou’s teammate Gabriel Marcelli completed the top five.
“From the first lap I felt very comfortable, although on the second I made a few too many mistakes,” said Bou.
It was not a good weekend for Bou’s championship rival Jaime Busto.
Bou was up to his usual tricks on Sunday. He made few errors and quickly gapped himself from the rest of the field and had an eight-mark lead after the first loop. Busto again struggled early on.
Bou’s teammate Marcelli out-rode the defending champ on the second loop, dropping just three marks to Bou’s seven. But it wasn’t enough to overtake Bou for the day’s overall win, but it did give the Repsol Honda team a 1-2 finish.
This time, Busto couldn’t mount a comeback in the second lap but instead endured several fives en route to sixth place on the day, severely hurting his chances of dethroning Bou for this year’s championship.
“Day two was tough,” Busto said. “I felt good with my riding but with some fives at the start of the first lap I needed another good second lap. But the second lap was not good. More fives and a really bad day.”
Bou’s nine-mark total for the day ensured the Spaniard the win over Marcelli with 18 marks.
Raga placed third, ahead of Vertigo rider Miquel Gelabert and Grattarola.
Bou is all but ensured a record-breaking 17th title. He leads Busto by 29 points going into the final round after the championship’s summer break. Marcelli is 39 points behind Busto in third.
The final round takes place in France, September 1-3. CN
2023 TrialGP of Italy Results
SATURDAY
- Toni Bou (Mon) 20
- Matteo Grattarola (Bet) 30
- Jaime Busto (GG) 36
- Adam Raga (TRRS) 37
- Gabriel Marcelli (Mon) 49
SUNDAY
- Tony Bou (Mon) 9
- Gabriel Marcelli (Mon) 19
- Adam Raga (TRRS) 23
- Miquel Gelabert (Ver) 31
- Matteo Grattarola (Bet) 31
