Spanish riders started very well on their home soil: Martin Riobo (Gas Gas, photo1) and Berta Abellan (Vertigo, photo2) topped Youth and Women classes in Castelloli, Spain, during the first round of the 2018 European Trial Championship. The event was held in the road racing circuit, which 10 years ago had hosted the FIM World Championship.
There were 14 sections to repeat twice for the 78 riders at the start. Figures are very good for trial, which can continue to grow up only having a lot of young riders. Two classes for women and two for young riders consent them to approach this discipline easily, choosing the level they feel more adequate.
In the Women top class, the favorite German Theresa Bauml (Montesa) – Europen Champion in 2015 and 2016 – was beaten by Berta Abellan, one of the most skilled Spanish newcomers. She gained points in the first lap (7 to 9) and 4 more in the second part (5 to 9). Theresa Bauml kept firmly the runner up position thanks to her good first lap. Third position for Italian Sara Trentini (Montesa), who scored 16 marks in the first lap and 8 in the second.
In the Youth top category, Riobo snatched the victory, cleaning the whole second lap, but at the turning point he was in second place behind Italian Andrea Gabutti (TRS) for one single point: Gabutti scored 5, Riobo 6.
Gabutti made a big mistake at the last indoor-style section, which made him slid in third position, behind Swedish Linus Almthen (Gas Gas) who recovered from the temporary fourth place, thanks to a brilliant “1” in all the second lap.
Spanish Alba Lara (Gas Gas) won the Women International class beating French Lenna Volpe (Sherco) for only two points. In third position Mariona Tasias (Gas Gas), from Spain, too.
No way for any riders but Spanish Pau Martinez (Gas Gas) in the Youth International. He staked a claim on his victory scoring one single point in the whole first lap. Still the best in the second part with 4 marks, he won scoring 5 in total. His nearest rival, who finished in second position, English Harry Hemingway (Beta) scored 21 marks. Third position for Czech David Fabian (Beta) with 26 points.
