The World Champion triumphs in Ponte di Legno, whith the same podium finishers of the other three rounds of the Championship
Toni Bou (Repsol Honda Trial Team) delivered a masterful performance in the fourth round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship, dominating from the first to the last section and leaving his rivals no chance of challenging for the win in X-Trial's return to Italy.
Bou was the best in Q1, fastest in Superpole, and impressive in the final ith just 12 penalty points, 16 fewer than second-place finisher Gabriel Marcelli, who qualified in Q2. He also had 18 less penalties points than Jaime Busto (GasGas), who finished third after a tiebreaker with Harry Hemingway (Beta), with both riders ending the final with 30 points.
The World Champion practically sealed the victory in the first three sections of the Final, having reached that point with a 9-point lead over his rivals. Meanwhile, Marcelli was the best in the fourth section, with a 3 points penalty, which allowed him to reclaim second place for third time so far in this season. The top four in this event was the same as in the season opener in Andorra la Vella. Once again, third place was decided by a tie-breaker between Busto and Hemingway.
Jack Peace (Sherco), Francesco Titli (TRRS), Matteo Grattarola (Beta), and Benoit Bincaz (Electric Motion) filled the remaining four spots in the standings of this particularly demanding event, which will return to the same venue tomorrow for the fifth round of the season.
Bou is leading the Championship standings with 75 points, Marcelli has 57, Busto 56, and Hemingway 26.
Toni Bou (1st): “It was a very difficult race because the sections didn't have much grip, but I was very focused from the start and was the best in all phases of the competition. Winning Q1 and Superpole motivated me a lot and made me go out with a lot of determination in the final. My shoulder didn't give me any problems, but tomorrow will surely be more difficult for me from a physical point of view.”
Gabriel Marcelli (2nd): “Today was certainly complicated and demanding. I didn't ride well in either Q1 or Superpole, but I qualified for the final, and the situation improved. I'm happy because the final result is the most important thing, and the points are very important for the Championship.”
Jaime Busto (3rd): “I started well in Q1 and had a good performance, but the final was a disaster. I have no choice but to hope tomorrow will be better, and to add a bit of joke, let me say that I'll be better form a physically point of view because I didn't complete a single section in today's final!.”
The fifth round of the season will be held tomorrow at the same place, also starting at 8:00 PM local time. Follow it on FIM-MOTO.TV.
Photo Gallery
