The mighty foursome of Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa HRC, Adam Raga - Gas Gas, Jeroni Fajardo - Beta and Albert Cabestany - Sherco romped to victory at the 2009 FIM Trial Des Nations held at Darfo Boario Terme, Italy.
They came home sixty-five marks ahead of Great Britain. The British team of Dougie Lampkin - Beta, James Dabill - Gas Gas, Michael Brown - Sherco and Alexz Wigg - Beta kept them true during the early part of the trial. However by the mid point Bou and co had already begun to claim the trophy, with a seventeen mark lead over their nearest rivals at this stage. Behind this leading duo, the next fight was between Italy and France.
Rain on Saturday night had already left the ground greasy in some places, but when the skies opened on the second lap the steep rocky outcrops adopted a new level of difficulty. Without exception, all five teams in the top class suffered heavier losses on their second visit to the eighteen sections scattered around the vicinity of the small spa town. Whilst Spain's win was never in doubt in the main category, it was a completely different story for the remaining fifteen nations in the support section.
Germany snatched a late and dramatic win in the International Group, beating the Czech Republic on a most cleans tie break, as both teams finished on forty eight marks a piece. The Czech
Republic looked like they would repeat the victory they achieved last year, and held an eight mark advantage over Germany at the halfway point, only for Germany to turn the tables on the last lap. The win achieved by Jan Junklewitz - Sherco, Timon Oster - Montesa, Jochen Schafer and Carsten Stranghoner - Montesa is the fourth for the German team, with them having last occupied the top spot back in 2001.
Norway enjoyed a similar battle with their Scandinavian neighbours Finland, with Norway coming out on top by just three marks to claim the final rostrum position in this category. Continuing the Scandinavian theme Sweden completed the top five, finishing eight marks behind Finland.
Collecting his third FIM World title of the year Toni Bou - Spain was obviously delighted with the result saying: "This is the prefect end to the season for me, but more importantly it has been an incredible performance by the whole team. The rain made it difficult for us, but we remained very strong throughout."
Veteran team captain for Great Britain, Dougie Lampkin gave his impression of the event, he said: "I think we knew before the start that second place was the best we could have hoped for, unless something very strange happened to the Spanish team. Overall I think it has been a good trial, but maybe a little too difficult for some nations, even before the rain arrived."
In front of a very noisy crowd Italian team member Matteo Grattarola - Sherco explained: "None of us have ridden at our best today individually, but as a team we have worked well. To be on the podium, here in Italy is a great feeling and is a good reward for everyone's hard work this year."
Germany's Carsten Stranghoner was shocked at their victory, he said: "We had no idea of the scores on the first lap, but just kept trying to do our best. Towards the end of the trial we heard some news that we were close to the Czech Republic, but we thought our chance had gone in section seventeen. Then we made one last effort in the final section, and could not believe what we saw on the scoreboard at the finish."