The World Champion prevailed in a tough X-Trial Réunion, with Raga second and Busto third
The resident of Andorra Toni Bou (Repsol Honda) started the defence of his FIM X-Trial World Championship in the best possible way with victory at the Stade Jean Ivoula de Sant-Denis on Réunion Island.
More than 3,500 spectators enjoyed a spectacular and very demanding course that put all eight riders to the test with some Sections which nobody was able to overcome with a zero score.
Having already topped the first and second Rounds of the contest, Bou met current World number 2 Adam Raga (TRRS) in the Final, which was decided when Raga picked up five-point scores on three of the six Sections leaving Bou with an unassailable lead.
Third place on the podium was contested between Vertigo’s two new signings, Jaime Busto and Miquel Gelabert.
Busto took the place picking up two marks on the single Section play-off, while Gelabert scored five after just exceeding the one minute time limit.
Jorge Casales took fifth overall on his debut for Gas Gas ahead of young Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) whose debut as a permanent rider saw him in third place after Round One but he then scored a maximum 25 marks in his second Round heat.
Both French riders present were eliminated in Round One. Kieran Touly (Scorpa) scored a maximum on his X-Trial debut while Benoit Bincaz (Beta) struggled with an ankle injury and fell on his first two Sections, missing the cut by a single mark.
The second round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship will be held on November 23 at the Glaz Arena in Rennes, France.
