Bou Claims 30th World Championship
A
nother day, another World
Championship for Toni Bou.
The remarkable Catalan rider cap-
tured his 15th consecutive X-Trial
World Championship by claim-
ing his 14th victory of the season
at the X-Trial of Barcelona at the
Palau Sant Jordi. The title marks
the 30th World Championship for
the trials legend. It wasn't walk in
the park for Bou, however, who
started his day with a five in round
one. But the Repsol HRC rider
went on to top round two, beating
Montesa rider Gabriel Marcelli by
11 marks in the grand final.
"It was fantatic to take the vic-
tory and the title in Barcelona, the
Cathedral of the X-Trial," said Bou.
"I started a bit stiffley in the first
round, but I recovered quickly to
come out on top in the second
round and win the final. Winning
here, in front of my home crowd,
my family and friends, is excep-
tional, and moreover, it is the first
time that I have been crowned
World Champion in Barcelona. I
am very happy with my 15th world
title and to have won both events."
For Marcelli, it marked his
career-best finish, besting third-
place finisher Jaime Busto in
round two, and besting Adam
Raga in the overall.
"I am very happy with such an
exceptional result," said Marcelli.
"Last season I was not at my best
level and this is the best way to
make amends. I have achieved
the best result of my career and
doing so in Barcelona ais espe-
cially exciting."
Adam Raga (TRRS) had to
settle for third on the day and
second in the championship. "My
goal was to win the trial and take
the title, but it was not to be," said
Raga. "Finishing runner-up in
the World Championship for the
ninth time is an important enough
achievement for me because it
means I am still at the highest leel
despite being the oldest rider in
the championship."
CN
IN
THE
WIND
P48
Repsol HRC's Toni
Bou clinched his 15th
consecutive X-Trial World
Championship with a win at
the "Cathedral of X-Trial."
