Trials Action

WTC 2006 // UK, Hawkstone Park - Event Preview

Monday the 24th of July 2006 by jitsie

Regarded by many as the birth place of the sport, trials will once again return to its homeland with the Grand Prix Great Britain taking place this coming weekend. The World famous Hawkstone Park MX circuit will host round eight of the current championship, as the series moves into its final chapter with only Andorra and Belgium remaining after the brief visit to the British mainland.

Adam Raga – Gas Gas will arrive in England with a healthy lead in the overall standings, and if he can maintain or extend his advantage it may be difficult for anyone to stop him taking his second successive outdoor title. However Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa HRC may have other ideas, and having won the last two rounds, the Japanese rider is very much the form man.

Fujinami will be joined by his British team mate Dougie Lampkin – Repsol Montesa HRC in taking the fight to Raga, with him looking to repeat the victory that he achieved in front of his home fans twelve months ago. The occasion will have added importance for Lampkin as he looks to secure his 100th Grand Prix win, a feat he would dearly love to achieve on home soil.

Albert Cabestany – Sherco and Antonio Bou – Beta will also be hoping to play their part on the day, as they continue to be locked in their own personal battle for fourth place in the championship. Currently Cabestany heads Bou by a single point, with both having claimed victories earlier in the season.

Things are equally tight in the Junior championship with only seven points separating the first three riders in this class. Daniel Oliveras – Gas Gas is the current leader after having won at the last round in Poland, however he only holds a two point advantage over compatriot Daniel Gibert – Montesa. Third place rider Michael Brown – Beta will be looking for a win at his home GP to close the gap on his rivals.

Loris Gubian – Sherco appears to hold a healthy lead over both Matteo Grattarola – Sherco and Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas in the Youth category, but with only ten out of the twelve rounds counting towards the final championship, the real points totals are much closer. Having won in Poland, Wigg will be hoping to repeat his win with the support of his British fans.

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