Date : 06/06/2010
Weather : Saturday - Sunshine and showers / Sunday - Sunshine
Temperature : Saturday - 24 degrees C / Sunday - 25 degrees C
Crowd : Saturday - 5000 / Sunday - 7000

Toni Bou extends lead while Fujinami is frustrated at Japanese Grand Prix

Repsol Montesa HRC riders Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami had contrasting Grand Prix results at round three of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, held at Honda’s sprawling Twin Ring Circuit in Motegi, Japan. Bou on his Cota 4RT triumphed on day one, but lost out to an unstoppable Adam Raga - Gas Gas twenty-four hours later to end the weekend with one victory and one second place result. This extended the Spaniard’s championship lead over Raga to eight points. Fujinami had less luck however, and failed to make the podium in Japan for the first time since 2006. Despite his best efforts aboard his factory four stroke machine Fujigas finished his weekend with two fourth places.

Heavy rain on day one added to the severity of the natural and man-made obstacles, with the rocks remaining slick and muddy throughout the two-day competition. Having uncharacteristically dropped off the podium on day two at the previous round in Portugal, Bou was back in formidable form in Motegi, cruising to a superb and seemingly comfortable victory on Saturday. The reigning champion finished day one thirteen marks clear of his nearest rival, Jeroni Fajardo - Beta, while a full twenty-five marks distinguished him from third-placed Raga. It was a different story on day two however, as Raga had an excellent first lap, dropping just twelve marks to Toni’s twenty-one. Despite a strong second lap, Bou could do little to prevent Raga from taking his first outdoor victory this year.

Having failed to make the podium on day one, the impact of Fujinami’s second disappointment was felt around the stadium, as the home crowd slowly came to terms with their hero’s fourth place position as he lost out to Fajardo by just one mark after a tense second lap. No one was more frustrated than Fujinami himself, who expressed his regret after two solid yet unfruitful days on home soil. Having won in Portugal, the Japanese star had hoped to repeat his triumph in his own backyard, but the pressure of performing on home soil proved too much as he was edged out by the Spanish trio of Bou, Raga and Fajardo on both days.


Montesa HRC rider quotes:

Toni Bou -  1st / 2nd:
“I am very happy because I did what I came to Japan to do, and that was to extend my lead in the championship. It is only by two points, but it is important to be consistent, particularly at the two-day events, of which there is only one more to go. Saturday went well, it was a fantastic day and I had a good feeling with my bike. It is great to win in Japan, especially for Honda. On Sunday it was a little more difficult after the rain on day one, but Adam Raga rode a very good first lap and he was difficult to beat. I tried very hard, but I had problems in section eight and eleven during the second lap, which allowed Adam to get away. Overall I am happy, though, as I secured two good results.”

Takahisa Fujinami – 4th / 4th:
“Of course I am a little disappointed with two fourth positions, especially as I was very close to third on both days. It is worse in Japan because this is my home and the fans are fantastic. I think I felt the pressure a little this weekend, though. It is always good to come here but it does sometimes feel like a heavy weight is on my shoulders and sadly, this weekend I did not do as well as I had hoped, particularly after winning in Portugal. I hope now for a better result and a podium in Scotland.”


Results - Saturday
1. Toni Bou (SPA-Montesa), 31
2. Jeroni Fajardo (SPA-Beta), 44
3. Adam Raga  (SPA-Gas Gas), 56 (12x0, 6x1)
4. Takahisa Fujinami (JPN-Montesa), 56 (12x0, 4x1)
5. Kenichi Kuroyama (JPN-Yamaha), 72
6. James Dabill (GBR-Gas Gas), 74
7. Albert Cabestany (SPA-Sherco), 81
8. Tomoyuki Ogawa (JPN-Honda), 98
9. Michael Brown (GBR-Sherco), 100
10. Tsuyoshi Ogawa (JPN-Beta), 107
11. Akira Shibata (JPN-Honda), 126 (3x0)
12. Alexz Wigg (GBR-Beta), 126 (2x0)
13. Fumitaka Nozaki (JPN-Yamaha), 126 (1x0)
14. Isao Shibuya (JPN-Honda), 128
15. Lorias Gubian (FRA-Gas Gas), 131

Results - Sunday
1. Adam Raga  (SPA-Gas Gas), 31
2. Toni Bou (SPA-Montesa), 35
3. Jeroni Fajardo (SPA-Beta), 46
4. Takahisa Fujinami (JPN-Montesa), 47
5. Albert Cabestany (SPA-Sherco), 49
6. James Dabill (GBR-Gas Gas), 58
7. Kenichi Kuroyama (JPN-Yamaha), 60
8. Loris Gubian (FRA-Gas Gas), 74
9. Tomoyuki Ogawa (JPN-Honda), 78
10. Michael Brown (GBR-Sherco), 85
11. Tsuyoshi Ogawa (JPN-Beta), 106
12. Alexz Wigg (GBR-Beta), 115
13. Isao Shibuya (JPN-Honda), 120 (4x0, 1x1)
14. Fumitaka Nozaki (JPN-Yamaha), 120 (4x0, 0x1)
15. Akira Shibata (JPN-Honda), 125


World Championship positions after 3 rounds:
1. Bou, 90
2. Raga, 82
3. Fujinami, 72
4. Fajardo, 66
5. Cabestany, 65
6. Dabill, 50
7. Gubian, 32
8. Lampkin, 30
9. Brown, 27
10. Kuroyama, 20
11. Maurino,  19
12. Wigg,19
13. Grattarola, 17
14. Ogawa T, 15
15. Oliveras, 15

Next event: Round 4 at Fort William (Great Britain) on 26-27 June