IN
THE
WIND
P40
Bou Wins Portugal TrialGP
G
ouveia is a lucky charm
for Toni Bou. At the same
location last year, the champ
celebrated his 100th victory in
TrialGP world championships.
In 2019 he was once again
on the top of the podium, this
time taking the tally to 110
top-flight wins in Gouvela,
Portugal, July 14.
The fifth round of the Tri-
alGP World Championship was
marked by roasting tempera-
tures and very demanding sec-
tions located among the boul-
ders of the Parque de Nostra
Senhora Los Verdes.
The Repsol Honda Team ace,
Bou, suffered considerably in
the grueling Portuguese trial. In
spite of a first lap that saw Bou
make several mistakes and pick
up a penalty for exceeding the
lap-time limit, the champion was
nevertheless able to stage a
comeback on lap two to take his
win tally to 110 out of 210 career
world championship rounds.
This, the fifth victory of the sea-
son, increases Bou's overall lead
to 22 points over second-place
rival, Adam Raga (TRS Factory
Team), who finished second to
Bou in Portugal.
Raga finished seven points
behind Bou, and only cour
ahead of third-place finisher
Jeroni Fajardo (GasGas).
Jorge Casales (Vertigo Fac-
tory Team) and Bou's teammate
Takahisa Fujinami rounded out
the top five.
"Today was a very tough trial,"
Bou said. "It was a very positive
weekend, with the type of terrain
that we like a lot. We rode a very
good second round through the
sections, so we leave here with
a very good taste in our mouths.
We will try to be fully recovered
for France to be able to have a
good trial. We know that, if we
win, I will be champion, some-
thing really impressive, but the
important thing is to have a great
trial."
The next TrialGP world cham-
pionship outing, the sixth points-
paying round, will be held in
Auron, France, July 20-21. CN
1. Toni Bou (Hon) 25
2. Adam Raga (TRS) 32
3. Jeroni Fajardo (GG) 36
4. Gorge Casales (Ver) 39
5. Takahisa Fujinami (Hon) 40
Toni Bou had to fight
for his win at the
Portuguese TrialGP.
PHOTO: HONDAPRORACING
