The rain complicated the first day of competition in the Japanese round. Despite it, Toni Bou was able to claim his 17th win at the Twin Ring in Motegi.
Meanwhile, Takahisa Fujinami, with the support of a huge crowd of local fans, was able to take his first podium of the season.
In the second day of competition, which took place today, Toni Bou took again the highest step of the podium, and in a flawless way: he did not receive any penalty in the whole round.
As it happened yesterday, his teammate in the Repsol Honda Team, Takahisa Fujinami, completed the top 3.
After the Japanese Trial GP, Toni Bou leads the overall standings and Fujinami went up to third position.
The next round of the TrialGP World Championship will take place in the Netherlands, 19 to 23 June.
TrialGP Japan 2019 – Rider statements
Toni Bou
We prepared ourselves a lot for these first races and the results have been amazing, so I couldn’t be happier with this weekend. It’s always very important to win here, in Japan, as it is Honda’s home race, so I’m very happy, especially after no being able to win any of the races here last season. I’m also very happy that my teammate Fujinami got into the podium; he’s worked hard the whole winter and he deserves it.
Yesterday, we had a complicated race, under conditions that kept changing during the day. It rained, it stopped… so it was difficult, especially during the second lap, when it stopped raining just before the more difficult areas.
Today, in the second day, we had a perfect day. I’m very happy with my riding. Being able to have such a great trial here in Japan is very special. I want to thank the whole team for the great job they did.
Takahisa Fujinami
This year I feel very well, physically, and I already expected a podium in Italy, but it finally arrived here in Japan. I’m very happy; being able to get on the podium in front of my Japanese fans is very important for me and also for Honda. I’m really happy to have been able to get on the podium both days in Japan.
Today the trial was very complicated, because the areas were very simple, and it was easy to make a mistake. I didn’t start well in the second lap and there was a moment in which I lost motivation a bit, but with the help of the team and the fans, we fought until the end.