Thursday July 2, 2009 at 9:54am
Last weekend saw the FIM World Championship move to Andorra where the event was based high in the mountains in a spectacular area familiar to many as the venue of last year’s Trials des Nations.
Saturday was round one of the 2009 Women’s World Series that took place over two laps of 14 sections, which had been made more difficult by heavy rain the prior evening, although glorious sunshine was quickly dried things out.
The 2008 Champion Laia Sanz from Spain, soon started to dominate, and even her uncharacteristic five for breaking a tape, failed to stop her taking the lead with a first lap of 11. Britain’s Becky Cook the 2008 World number two finished the lap on 17, just a few marks ahead of Joanne Coles another young UK challenger.
Laia made few mistakes on lap two – adding just three more to her score to finish on 11.
The battle for the remaining two podium places would be between the two Brits – with Becky finding better form to finish on 28 just three marks ahead of Joanne on 31.
Despite some machine problems Emma Bristow finished a creditable seventh and a much improved Hanna Styles managed 15th place.
The Sunday course consisted of two laps of 15 sections, and would incorporate the World Pro, Junior and Youth Championships.
The Youth sections rode easier than expected and Britain’s Ben Morphett posted a brilliant first lap with no marks lost. He added four marks on lap two however, and this allowed Belgium’s Maxime Warenghien to take victory leaving Ben as runner up.
UK’s Jonathan Richardson finished in third spot – and this confirmed him has 2009 World Youth Trials Champion – congratulations Jonathan.
In the Junior class – Britain’s Alexz Wigg was another who tied up a Championship – but by Alexz’s exacting standards he had a poor day after drowning the bike in a deep stream.
Ross Danby had a great ride to take fourth spot, Jack Challinor took eighth place, and Alexz eventually slotted home in seventh which was enough to seal the 2009 World Junior Championship - so yet more congratulations to Alexz.
In the Adult World Pro Class there were also surprises with Jeroni Fajardo, Beta, taking a rather unexpected victory over Adam Raga and Tony Bou.
Britain’s Dougie Lampkin lost out on fourth place to Fujinami Takahisa by just a single point – and it was even closer for UK’s James Dabill who also finished on the same marks as Dougie. However he lost out on the tie break and had to settle for sixth when fourth was so easily attainable – but James is showing it is now just a matter of time before he joins the top echelon. Britain’s Michael Brown, despite showing some super skills in places – had to be content with 10th place.
An excellent weekend for British riders – two young ladies on the podium, and two World Championships for our young men.