Trials Action

FITWC St Mahón - Race Report

Sunday the 19th of February 2006 by Trials Action

Adam Raga (Gas Gas) has won the Grand Prix Illes Balears held tonight in Mahon infront of 5,000 spectators who gathered in the Pabellon Menorca grandstands. The Spanish rider took his third consecutive victory, and has strengthened his leadership of the current overall standings.

Raga was the best man in a final competing against Albert Cabestany (Sherco), and Dougie Lampkin, who has lost his chance of the win after his performance in the first four sections where he committed five failures. Raga and Cabestany arrived tied on marks at section five, but Sherco’s Cabestany commited a maximum, which left the way clear for Raga’s victory.

This is fifth win of the season for Adam Raga, whereas Cabestany has reached the podium for the sixth time, and Lampkin has added a second podium to his tenure. This is only the third occasion this season where the rostrum has not been dominated by all Spanish riders.

Lampkin had been the best in the first lap, being one of the two riders who did not take a “five” in section one. The British rider only committed one failure in the difficult section two, which nobody could surpass during the qualifying heat. At the end of the first lap, Cabestany was tied on points with Toni Bou (Beta), but his better time for completing the course awarded him his ticket to the final.

A. Raga: “I am very glad with this third consecutive victory which assures my chances to re-take the World Crown. I did not begin the season as good as I had previously expected, but things have changed and now the difference over my rivals is wider. However, there are still four races left, and I know that my competitors will fight hard”.

A. Cabestany: “I am not completely happy as I know that I committed some mistakes, thus loosing the victory. The bike worked perfectly so I must admit I should have showed better riding in order to take the win. The difference with Raga is important, but I’ll keep pushing until the end”.

D. Lampkin: “I am very glad to be back on the podium as I had a grim opening to the season but step by step we have improved our level. Now my self-confidence is obviously higher compared to the beginning of the year. I wish I had done it better in the final, but it was not possible. Having been the best in the qualifying lap is also a positive sign to stick at”.

CLASSIFICATION AFTER FIRST LAP:
1. D. Lampkin 8 points
2. A. Raga 10 points
3. A. Cabestany 11 points
4. T. Bou 11 points
5. J. Fajardo 16 points
6. T. Fujinami 18 points

FINAL CLASSIFICATION:
1. A. Raga 16 points
2. A. Cabestany 19 points
3. D. Lampkin 30 points

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION :
01. Adam Raga 72
02. Albert Cabestany 55
03. Toni Bou 50
04. Jeroni Fajardo 44
05. Dougie Lampkin 35
06. Takahisa Fujinami 32
07. James Dabill 5
08. Daniele Maurino 4
09. Shaun Morris 4
10. Tadeusz Blazusiak 3

Ninth round of the season will be held in Lisboa next Saturday the 25th of February, scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.