Toni Bou (Repsol Montesa HRC), Adam Raga (Gas Gas), Jeroni Fajardo (Beta) and Albert Cabestany (Sherco) of Team Spain dominated the 2009 Trial des Nations with an impressive 25 marks over runner-up Great Britain on a tough and challenging course located in Darfo Boario Terme, Italy. It is the sixth-consecutive and tenth total Trials des Nations win for Spain who simply overwhelmed the competition once the terrain was subjected to heavy rains the night before the final.
According to U.S. team manager Kip Webb, Team USA "pretty much gave a go at each section with some very good rides. We still have a way to go to catch the top teams, but our guys didn't back down from the challenge. We finished in fifth position, which is an all-time high for an American TdN effort."
"This is the prefect end to the season for me, but more importantly it has been an incredible performance by the whole team,” said Spainsh captain Toni Bou. “The rain made it difficult for us, but we remained very strong throughout."
The Italian Team managed to make the final spot on the podium, 44 less than fourth place France.
"None of us have ridden at our best today individually, but as a team we have worked well,” said Matteo Grattarola of Italy. “To be on the podium, here in Italy is a great feeling and is a good reward for everyone's hard work this year."
Team USA posted their best ever TdN World Championship Group result with a fifth place finish. The team, consisting of Patrick Smage, Cody Webb, Will Ibsen and Keith Wineland battled steep, rocky terrain that became even more difficult once it was wet.
The ladies of Team Britain claimed their third career victory on the Women’s title ahead of Spain and Germany. The riders, Cook (Sherco), Joanne Coles (Gas Gas) and Emma Bristow (Gas Gas) pulled Great Britain into a tie with Spain at three wins a piece in the nine year history of the event.
"Obviously we are disappointed as we thought we could win,” explained Spainish Team rider Laia Sanz,” but in the end I think we have been unlucky. The trial was just about two sectons, so maybe this is not the best way to decide the winner. Despite this I think we can be happy how we have ridden and how we have worked together as a team. Maybe next year we can win again." Iris Kramer acted as spokesperson for Germany. "We always knew it was going to be difficult to beat Spain and Britain, especially today as both teams rode really well. Our day was decided in section twelve on both laps. On the first lap, we put ourselves out of contention here, and on the second lap we dropped further away from the two leading teams than we had hoped."
Men’s Results - 2009 FIM Trial Des Nations World Championship Group
1: Spain 25
2: Great Britain 90
3: Italy 159
4: France 203
5: USA 330
2009 FIM Women's Trial Des Nations
1: Great Britain 9
2: Spain 10
3: Germany 21
4: France 53
5: Norway 66
6: Italy 115
7: Australia 123
8: USA 196
9: Portugal 241
Results -International Trophy Group
1: Germany 48
2: Czech Republic 48
3: Norway 66
4: Finland 69
5: Sweden 77
6: Australia 94
7: Ireland 110
8: Belgium 113
9: Switzerland 145
10: Poland 162
11: Portugal 252
12: Austria 277
13: Canada 318
14: Luxembourg 333
15: Latvia 399
FIM Trial Des Nations Previous winners World Championship Group
1997 – Great Britain
1998 – Spain
1999 – Spain
2000 – Spain
2001 – Spain
2002 – Great Britain
2003 – Great Britain
2004 – Spain
2005 – Spain
2006 – Spain
2007 – Spain
2008 – Spain
2009 – Spain
Previous winners Women’s TdN
2000 – Spain
2001 – Norway
2002 – Spain
2003 – Germany
2004 – France
2005 – Germany
2006 – Great Britain
2007 – Great Britain
2008 – Spain
2009 – Great Britain
For more information on Team USA and the 2009 Trial des Nations, visit
USATdN.org.
