Trial European Championship: Grattarola, Vold Gunvaldsen Jarand and Soulier rule in Pietramurata
Matteo Grattarola
Matteo Grattarola (Sembenini Nils Redmoto Montesa), Matias Vold Gunvaldsen Jarand (TRRS) and Andrea Soulier (Beta) inaugurated the 28th edition of the FIM Europe Trials Championship winning the first round, held in Pietramurata, North-East of Italy.
In the main class, former champion Grattarola, despite of his age, kept behind the long list of hardened aspirants, all younger than him. Smooth difference at the end: just one point less than Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa), 14 against 15 that means these two’s had an unbelievable riding on the 15 sections to be repeat twice.
In third, but leader at the turning point, Ariol Gelabert (Scorpa), who fought with the mentioned two’s until three sections from the end. Failing section 13, he finished a bit distant scoring 21 points, but the situation was on a razor’s edge for the whole competition. Now more than ever the level of this championship is high. In five points out of podium, there are Francesc Moret (Montesa), then Gianluca Tournour (SPEA Gas Gas), Jack Peace (Sherco) and Toby Martyn (Beta).
Matias Vold Gunvaldsen Jarand
Winner of the Junior class Vold Gunvaldsen started soon very well and gained a smooth lead on Marco Mempor (Beta) at the end of first lap: 16 him, 17 Mempor. In the second lap, he was able to still improve his score (15) while his rival made a couple of fives and ended with 22 marks. In third a rider from Venezuela, David Avendano Arocha (Vertigo) whose score was 41, tied with Gil Vila (Gas Gas) but with more cleans.
Andrea Soulier
Soulier topped the Over 40 class – rich of blazoned champions – for a while (1 point ) on Andrea Buschi (TRRS). Three riders ended the first lap with 6 points: besides Soulier and Buschi, Marco Andreoli (Vertigo), while John Van Veelen (Gas Gas) was chasing with 3 marks more. Only Soulier was able to repeat his performance. Buschi put one foot more, while Andreoli and Van Veeelen broke down, overtaken by a regular Markus Kipp (TRRS) who grasped the podium.
Philipp Emonts
Philipp Emonts (Beta) won the International 2 class recovering from Simon Sordyl (Gas Gas) , leader at the turning point. Third Luca Poncia (Beta).
The only one rider in the International 1 class was nice guy seventy year old Carlo Fabbri (Montesa), who rode just the loop for fun.
Second round will be in a week in Monza circuit.
