Bou, Busto Battle In Japan
R
epsol Honda's Toni Bou
and GasGas' Jamie
Busto battled back and
forth at the FIM World Trial
Championship in Japan,
May 20-21. Bou, riding the
factory Montesa, topped
Saturday's day one, but
Busto came back on Sun
-
day to take the overall win.
The two Spaniards came
into the round tied at the
top of the championship
leaderboard.
Busto got out front early
on Saturday, but after the
course started to dry out
after Friday's rain, Bou
surged ahead and sealed
the win when Busto in
-
curred four time penalties.
"It is always very im-
portant to win here for
the championship and the
team, so I am super-hap
-
py," said Bou after Satur-
day's competition. "On the
first lap, I had many mistakes,
but I had a very good second lap
and it was possible to take the
win."
Adam Raga (TRRS) was third,
followed by Gabriel Marcelli
(Montesa) and Matteo Grattarola
(Vertigo).
Sunday's win went down to the
very last section after Busto, who
had led all day, almost threw it
away with maximums in the final
two hazards. Bou was handed
a lifeline, but a single mark in
section 12 left the Spaniards tied
at the top and the victory went to
Busto who completed the course
just 30 seconds faster than the
defending champion.
"The TrialGP of Japan was
just incredible for me," said
Busto. "Yesterday, I was fight
-
ing with Toni all day, but in the
end, I made some silly mistakes
which cost me the race. Today,
I started with a clear mind and I
led the whole day."
Raga was again third and
Marcelli fourth. Jorge Casales
(Scorpa) rounded out the top
five.
Bou and Busto are still locked
at the top of the championship
leaderboard with 111 each, and
Raga and Marcelli are tied for
third on 84 points.
CN
DAY 1
1. Toni Bou (Mon) 46 points
2. Jaime Busto (GG) 59
3. Adam Raga (TRRS) 66
4. Gabriel Marcelli (Mon) 78
5. Matteo Grattarola (Ver) 93
DAY 2
1. Jaime Busto (GG) 33 points
2. Toni Bou (Mon) 33
3. Adam Raga (TRRS) 47
4. Gabriel Marcelli (Mon) 49
5. Jorge Casales (Sco) 64
WIND
IN THE
P58
Jaime Busto bounced back to
win day two at the World Trial
Championship round in Japan to
keep the series locked at the top.
PHOTO: FUTURE7MEDIA
