Reigning Women’s World champion Laia Sanz (Repsol Montesa HRC) made a very welcome return to the 2009 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship last weekend with the twenty-three year old having been absent from the series since the opening round in Ireland back in early April. Sanz suffered a nasty accident in Newcastle that left her with an injured right leg but this is not the only reason she has not participated in the following rounds.  “I was out of action for about two weeks after Ireland; the problem was with the muscle at the top of my right leg. I just had to rest and after that it has been OK and has not caused me any further problems.” Laia explained. “After Ireland I talked with the team and we decided maybe it was best for me to miss some of the men’s competitions so I could concentrate more on the Women’s European and World championships.” This mutual decision would seem to have been a wise one with Sanz taking the victory against her female rivals at the first round of the European series in Poland back in mid May. “This was a good result for me and one that I was very happy with. Even when I win sometimes I am not always happy with my riding but in Poland I was very pleased. The sections were made difficult by the rain just prior to the trial, but my level was very high considering the conditions.” Laia commented. La Rabassa in Andorra will not only host round six of the 2009 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship but the day before it will also host the opening event for the 2009 FIM Women’s Trial World Championship too. Sanz spoke about this forthcoming event. “This is a good moment for me to return to the men’s championship as Andorra will be a very important weekend for me. It is always like my home race as many of my friends and family will make the short trip from Spain to support me. I am really focussed to win on Saturday to make a good start to the defence of my title, and I will also be hoping for a good result on Sunday too.” “If I am honest I have really missed not being at all the men’s competitions this year as for the last five or six seasons it has been a big part of my life. At the weekends it has felt strange knowing that my team and friends are at the trial and I am at home, so I have been following them on the internet and the TV.” Laia ended.

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