Fujinami wins world trials opener

Japan’s Takahisa Fujinami has withstood a withering finish by his brilliant Spanish teammate Toni Bou to win the opening round of the 2014 Trial World Championship at Mount Tarrengower in Maldon, Victoria.

Fujinami, the 2004 world champion, turned back the clock in a vintage display, leading from the outset on his HRC-Montesa to finish on eight points after three laps and 42 sections of non-stop action, well appreciated by the large crowd soaking up one of only three world motorcycle championships which will make it Down Under in 2014.

It was Fujinami’s first victory since his home event in Japan last year.

"It went really well. I’m very pleased with the season’s first win, and also with the new Repsol Honda Team, which is more official than ever,” said Fujinami.

“It was very important to get a victory in the first race. It was quite an easy trial; we saw that in the points, although I wasn’t expecting Tony to slip up.  I was ahead of the other riders, without pressure, running my race. I stayed focussed and managed to win. The sensation of winning was just like the one in Japan last year: fantastic. I’ve got to thank the whole team for the job that they’ve done.”

Bou, looking to become the first rider to win eight world titles in a row, took a while to find his feet in the season opener after making a slight trajectory error in the final section of the first lap and picking up the maximum penalty -- five points. He then rallied in lap two before finishing in a blaze of glory as the only rider to complete a circuit -- 14 zones – without a blemish on his scorecard.

“In a way I’m quite happy because I was able to come back from fifth place where I was at the end of lap one,” said Bou.

“It was an easy trial. I made a mistake and it wasn’t possible to make up for it. It happened in section 13; a rock broke and I lost balance when I accelerated. It made me a bit edgy, and I wasn’t riding comfortably, but I was able to get myself focused and pulled back a few places. I regret not winning but I’m happy for the victory of Fujinami.”

The majestic finish by Bou – the winner of both Mount Tarrengower rounds in 2012 -- saw him complete proceedings on nine points, with Fajardo (Beta) and two-time world champion Adam Raga (Gas Gas) equal on 11 points. Briton James Dabill (Beta), who was second after lap one, faded into fifth position (33 points), ahead of the fourth Spanish powerhouse, Albert Cabestany (Sherco, 34).

In the second-tier World Cup, there were six Aussies in action, with reigning national champion Kyle Middleton (Gas Gas) finishing an excellent eighth out of 16 riders. The opener was won easily by German Franz Kadlec on his Beta..

The riders will all return for round two action tomorrow, as Fujinami chases a weekend clean sweep for the first time since his world championship year of 2004.