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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/671116
IN THE WIND P28 RAGA, BOU SPLIT WORLD TRIALS IN JAPAN T RS's Adam Raga and Repsol Honda's Toni Bou shared the spotlight in round two of the FIM World Championship Trials Series at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, April 23-24. In the first of two days, Raga became the third different rider to score a win in the young 2016 championship. Raga was on point right from the get-go and never looked back, showing no merci en route to a 16-point victory over Bou. Not only was it Raga's first win of the year it was TRS' first ever in the series. "This is a historic moment for TRS, as a team we have been working hard for this mo- ment and today it has all come together and we have achieved this great result," said Raga. "It has been a tough, but good trial today. My riding was good and I only made a few mistakes, which must be expected when the level of the sections is so high. It's a great goal to reach, but now we need to prepare again and try to repeat the vic- tory tomorrow." Bou was happy with his sec- ond place, considering he's rid- ing with an injury to his shoulder. Bou's teammate Takahis Fujinami also got on the podium in third. It certainly pleased the home crowd and was his first podium since the French GP last year. Fujinami took great delight in keeping his much younger teammate Jaime Busto off the box by just a single mark after a day-long battle between the four- stroke powered duo. Fifth went to Sherco's Albert Cabestany. Bou rebounded with the win on day two and did it much like Raga had the day before, by leading from start to finish. Rain overnight forced officials to tame down some of the sections a bit, but as things dried out over the course of the day, the sections became easier. Raga had to settle for sec- ond, 12 marks behind Bou, while Fujinami again completed the podium. It was a special day for Fujinami, as he reached a career milestone with his 300th GP start. Cabestany upped his finish by one on day two, while Jeroni Fajardo (Vertigo) rounded out the top five. "I didn't expect to be able to fight for the win after yesterday, but for some reason that I can- not explain at the moment my shoulder is better on the second day of competition," said Bou. "Generally, I am very tired as I have not been able to train for over two weeks, so my physi- cal condition is not at its best. My situation was helped today because of the easier sections, as when they are more difficult I am not able to ride at a higher level at the moment. To win here in Japan is great for me, but also great for the whole Repsol Honda team." CN (Left to right) Adam Raga, Toni Bou and Takahis Fujinami celebrate on the day-two podium. PHOTO COURTESY HONDA