Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1546039
AUGUST 9, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 12 R epsol Montesa HRC's Takahisa Fujinami won his fourth World Trials Grand Prix of the season and his third in a row, riding his Cota 4RT to victory in the British round of the World Trials Championship on July 30. The podium from England was the same as it was from the last round in Poland, with Fujinami topping Gas Gas' Adam Raga by a single point. Third place went to Sherco's Albert Cabestany, the Spaniard just a point behind Raga. Then came Dougie Lampkin in his home GP, the Brit fighting back from as low as 12th to finish fourth. The British countryside was suffering an uncharacteristic heat wave prior to the event so the riders found dry and dusty conditions at Hawkstone Park for the eighth round of the championship. However, it rained for practice and the first lap of the event, dampening the dust and the 8000 spectators. Fujinami, Raga and Cabestany were neck and neck throughout the first lap, trading scores between the three of them in section after section. One rider would clean while one would five, with the fortunes reversed just moments later. There were three sections within the wooded areas surrounding the motocross track that caused almost every rider problems, but - again - the lead trio swapped scores throughout. Fujinami ended the first lap with a score of 14 marks to Raga's 21 and Cabestany's 19. However, although both Raga and Cabestany put in better second laps than Fujinami, they were unable to close the gap sufficiently to take the position away, in one of the closest finishes in a long time. Fujinami's victory was- n't confirmed until he cleaned the final Spectator section. The result means that Fujinami closes the gap to Raga by three points and he's now 12 behind with two rounds remaining. "I am very happy with this result," Fujinami said. "The first lap I felt my riding was good but the sec- ond lap, I was getting a little tired. I also made some big mistakes on some of the sections in the second lap. So I didn't think I could win at that point, but I am so pleased I was able to take the victory. The final result was very close, but the win is crucial. Now I'm looking for victory on every race. I hope this will make Adam [Raga] nervous for the rest of the championship. I think this will put the pressure even more on him for the last two rounds." HRC's Takahisa Fujinami won his fourth World Trials round of the year and his third in a row in England. Adam Raga was second and still leads the World Championship. Fujinami Again! W ith MV Agusta the featured marque at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, July 28-30, 15-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini served as the grand marshal of the event and circulated the race- track on several different MVs. In addition to several other stars from yesterday, Agostini was joined in signing autographs at the event by AMA legend Dick Mann. (Left) Dick Mann signs autographs during the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event at Mid-Ohio. PHOTOS BY BRIAN J. NELSON PHOTOS BY MARIO CANDELONE Giacomo Agostini circulates the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on an MV Agusta. Ago, Mann Star At Mid-Ohio