Bou Crowned World Trials Champ at Italian GP

Toni Bou has dominated the trials scene like no other rider in history; the legendary rider clinched another World title at the Italian GP on September 3.

Scott Rousseau
Ton Bou dominated both legs of the FIM Trial World Championship series finale in Italy, Septemver 3-4, picking up his 10th career World outdoor title in the process. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM HRC.
Ton Bou dominated both legs of the FIM Trial World Championship series finale in Italy, Septemver 3-4, picking up his 10th career World outdoor title in the process. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM HRC.

Repsol Honda’s Toni Bou of Spain landed an astonishing 20th career World Championship on the first of two days at the final round of the FIM Trial World Championship in Chiampo, Italy, September 3-4, winning the first leg on Saturday then putting a punctuation mark on the season with another win on Sunday.

Bou needed to finish no worse than seventh on Saturday to land his 10th career outdoor world title, but instead of playing it safe, he took it to his competition in typical Bou style. Bou picked up a mere five points by the end of the first of three loops, 15 fewer points than his closest competitor. Bou then went on to collect another eight through the next two loops to win the event by a 43-point margin over countryman Adam Raga and secure another championship.

Toni Bou, 2016 FIM Trial World Champion. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM HRC.
Toni Bou, 2016 FIM Trial World Champion. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM HRC.
“Today is a special day,” Bou said. “When you win a championship it is something great. It has been a very special season, with some back problems at the beginning of the year. I was able to keep gradually improving until it was almost my best season. Finally this race has been a perfect one, and I’ve clinched the title. I wish to thank all of those who have helped me to achieve it; the entire team, my family and friends. This is a really special moment, and I couldn’t dream of anything better.”

Sunday marked another dominant run by Bou as he collected his 89th career FIM Trial World Championship win, finishing 14 points ahead of Raga.

“It was a very complicated day because I wasn’t concentrating so much,” Bou said. “Near the start I made a mistake that was very hard to overcome. We were getting back into the rhythm, but I scored another fault, but then I improved on the second and third laps. I’m very pleased to add another victory—we have finished off a great season, and I want to thank all the team for the work that they have done.”

Bou’s legend grew again in 2016, where he set the record for the most wins—12 out of 14 trials—despite starting the season with a serious shoulder injury. Nevertheless, his talent and concentration carried him to wins at GP rounds in Germany, Andorra, Belgium, Great Britain and Italy, as well as single-wins in the two-day events in Catalonia, Japan and France.

2016 FIM Trial World Championship Series Final Points Standings
1. Toni Bou (SPA)-Mon/289
2. Adam Raga (SPA)-TRS/252
3. Takahisa Fujinami (JPN)-Mon/190
4. Albert Cabestany (SPA)-She/181
5. Jeroni Fajardo (SPA)-Ver/173
6. Jaime Busto (SPA)-Mon/168
7. James Dabill (GBR)-Ver/145
8. Jorge Casales (SPA)-Bet/94
9. Matteo Grattarola (ITA)-Gas/85
10. Miquel Gelabert (SPA)-She/74

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