Jack Challoner has ridden his way into the lead of the FIM SPEA Junior World Championship at round seven of the series in Fopplo, northern Italy. Challoner who showed his tremendous world‐class form right from the start cleaned the entirety of the first lap with Relentless attitude, and finally finished the trial a comfortable four marks ahead of French rider Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco) and Spanish rider Francsec Moret (Montesa) who concluded the podium for the day.

This successful ride by the Halifax teenager has put him four marks ahead of Alfredo Gomez (SPA – Montesa) in the championships. Gomez, who had led the

championships since the Portugal weekend in May, finished the trial in a disappointing fifth position with 15 marks compared to the 8 of Challoner. The trial, which saw good weather and quality sections high in the hills of northern Italy, not too far from the Top Trial Team base where Jack has spent the bulk of the year saw Toni Bou crowned 2010 World Champion in the premier class on the same day.

The sections had been changed slightly from the previous day’s European championships where Jack felt robbed after a harsh decision by the proud Italian

observers and subsequently finished 5th, still on the low score of 8 joint with team‐mate Alexz Wigg (Beta) and Alfredo Gomez. Jack; who was left knowing

that the previous days decision lost him the win was keen to take full advantage of having ridden the sections before and only dropped marks in three sections on

the second lap; notably a five on section one.

Speaking after the trial, a delighted Jack commented; “Today has been a very good day for me and the whole Top Trial Team. I have spent a lot of time in Italy

with the team and we have developed a very good working relationship – they are so friendly and treated ne like part of their family and to win here today is

really great for both parties!”

“I didn’t have the best start to the season; but I really feel like I am top of the game now. I am fortunate that I am now in a position where I have won five

rounds, which is more than any of my competitors. With this year dependent on the best nine of eleven rounds I will have to maintain this form in Czeck Republic

in September and cannot underestimate Gomez, he has a lot of experience and will be eager to take the final 20 points”

“All of the riders have a bit of time off before the next round. I will be going back to the UK and ride in many other events such as the Supertrial at start of August

– I also plan to do a bit of PR work as well as riding and practising as much as possible”

Image credit: g2fmedia.com

WC RD 7 Italy

(World Pro) 1: Toni Bou (Montesa-ESP) 12; 2: Adam  Raga (Gas Gas-ESP) 18; 3: Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa-JPN) 26; 4: Jeroni Fajardo (Beta-ESP) 43; 5: James Dabill (Gas Gas-GBR) 43; 6: Dougie Lampkin (Beta-GBR) 44; 7: Albert Cabestany (Sherco-ESP) 49; 8: Matteo Grattarola (Sherco-ITA) 53; 9: Loris Gubian (Gas Gas-FRA) 59; 10; Daniele Maurino (Beta-ITA) 80; 11: Alexz Wigg (Beta-GBR) 85; 13: Michael Brown (Sherco-GBR) 96.

(Junior) 1: Jack Challoner (Beta-GBR) 8; 2: Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco-FRA) 12; 3: Francesc Moret (Montesa-ESP) 13; 4: Jonathan Richardson (Sherco-GBR) 14; 5: Alfredo Gomez (Montesa-ESP) 15; 25: Harry Harvey (Gas Gas-GBR) 115.

(Youth) 1: Pol Tarres (Gas Gas-ESP) 0; 2: Jack Sheppard (Beta-GBR) 5; 3: Carlos Traviesa (Gas Gas-ESP) 8; 4: Giacomo Saleri (Beta-ITA) 9; 5: Ismael Catalin (Gas Gas-ITA) 14.