One-two for Repsol Honda HRC in Japan
MotegiToni Bou takes a clean sweep at Motegi, and Gabriel Marcelli claims second place
Mud and slippery sections were once again the protagonists at the third round of the 2025 TrialGP World Championship season in Japan. Despite sunny weather and high temperatures all day, the accumulated dampness of the Mobility Resort Motegi terrain gave the competitors plenty of problems. The sections were extremely tricky, and the Repsol Honda HRC riders managed to handle the situation to perfection, achieving a one-two finish at the Japanese factory’s home circuit.
Once again, series leader Toni Bou was the dominant force. The Repsol Honda rider kept his cool in a first race marked by mud and mistakes from many of his rivals, and managed to minimise risks to claim his third win of the weekend, earning 20 points overall.
In the second race, with the sections somewhat cleaner, the 37-time World Champion was even more solid, correcting the mistakes made in the first race and closing the day with two wins. With this victory, Bou strengthened his lead in the standings, extending the gap over his closest rival, Jaime Busto. He also earned an extra point in the championship by taking the Power Section victory, held at Zone 10 at the end of the day.
Gabriel Marcelli made steady improvement. The Montesa Cota 4RT rider struggled in the first race, with several fiascos taking him away from the lead. Despite this, he finished in third place, earning important points for the championship on a day of difficult conditions.
In the second race, Marcelli cruised through the various zones, staying within the podium positions and battling Jaime Busto for second place until the very end. Finally, the Repsol Honda rider managed to keep up the pressure and, with a one-point advantage, took second place. With these results, Marcelli earned second on the podium.
Bou leaves Japan with an increased lead in the series. After a third and second place finish, Marcelli remains in third place, closing the gap to Jaime Busto in the overall standings. The next round of the Trial GP World Championship will be held in Corsica (France), the weekend of May 30th-June 1st.
It's been a perfect weekend. We had a great feeling, winning every race and the Power Section. It was a very tough trial, and I struggled at times, but I also had a great time. Winning at Honda's home is always very special, and having such a complete weekend even more so. I want to thank Honda and HRC for the work they're doing to make me succeed here. Now it's time to recover and prepare well for the next race to try to continue on this path. We must maintain this high level.
It's been a perfect weekend. We had a great feeling, winning every race and the Power Section. It was a very tough trial, and I struggled at times, but I also had a great time. Winning at Honda's home is always very special, and having such a complete weekend even more so. I want to thank Honda and HRC for the work they're doing to make me succeed here. Now it's time to recover and prepare well for the next race to try to continue on this path. We must maintain this high level.
I felt more comfortable on the bike today, even though the terrain was very bad and I was slipping a lot. We took second place and third place yesterday, so we're going home happy and satisfied with the work we've done. Racing here at Motegi, at Honda's 'home,' and getting these results is doubly special. We're very happy and grateful to Honda, HRC, and the team for all their work.
I felt more comfortable on the bike today, even though the terrain was very bad and I was slipping a lot. We took second place and third place yesterday, so we're going home happy and satisfied with the work we've done. Racing here at Motegi, at Honda's 'home,' and getting these results is doubly special. We're very happy and grateful to Honda, HRC, and the team for all their work.
I'm very happy with today's results. The goal was to get a double win, and we achieved it. We knew it was going to be a difficult day because the terrain was very slippery, but we got the best possible result. Toni was unbeatable and once again demonstrated his great potential, winning every race this weekend and taking the Power Section too. Gabri improved a lot compared to yesterday and did a great job in both races -especially in the second, where he improved in every section to finish second. This result is very good, and we have to continue to fight for podium positions in the overall standings. I want to thank Honda, HRC, and the team for all their support and confidence.
I'm very happy with today's results. The goal was to get a double win, and we achieved it. We knew it was going to be a difficult day because the terrain was very slippery, but we got the best possible result. Toni was unbeatable and once again demonstrated his great potential, winning every race this weekend and taking the Power Section too. Gabri improved a lot compared to yesterday and did a great job in both races -especially in the second, where he improved in every section to finish second. This result is very good, and we have to continue to fight for podium positions in the overall standings. I want to thank Honda, HRC, and the team for all their support and confidence.
Race 1 Results
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Points | Team | Constructor | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Toni Bou | 1 | SPA | 20 | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 35 |
2 | Jaime Busto | 69 | SPA | 17 | Gas Gas Factory Team | Gas Gas | 43 |
3 | Gabriel Marcelli | 38 | SPA | 15 | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 44 |
4 | Aniol Gelabert | 28 | SPA | 13 | TRRS Factory Team | TRRS | 51 |
5 | Matteo Grattarola | 88 | ITA | 11 | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 51 |
6 | Jack Peace | 76 | GBR | 10 | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 51 |
7 | Pablo Suarez | 33 | SPA | 9 | Montesa Talent School | Montesa | 56 |
8 | Hugo Dufrese | 17 | FRA | 8 | Beta | Beta | 58 |
9 | Alex Canales | 24 | SPA | 7 | Montesa Talent School | Montesa | 58 |
Race 2 Results
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Points | Team | Constructor | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Toni Bou | 1 | SPA | 20 | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 26 |
2 | Gabriel Marcelli | 38 | SPA | 17 | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 37 |
3 | Jaime Busto | 69 | SPA | 15 | Gas Gas Factory Team | Gas Gas | 38 |
4 | Jack Peace | 76 | GBR | 13 | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 47 |
5 | Hugo Dufrese | 17 | FRA | 11 | Beta | Beta | 47 |
6 | Matteo Grattarola | 88 | ITA | 10 | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 47 |
7 | Pablo Suarez | 33 | SPA | 9 | Montesa Talent School | Montesa | 54 |
8 | Aniol Gelabert | 28 | SPA | 8 | TRRS Factory Team | TRRS | 54 |
9 | Alex Canales | 24 | SPA | 7 | Montesa Talent School | Montesa | 60 |
Championship Standings
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Toni Bou | 1 | SPA | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 241 |
2 | Jaime Busto | 69 | SPA | Gas Gas Factory Team | Gas Gas | 204 |
3 | Gabriel Marcelli | 38 | SPA | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 176 |
4 | Matteo Grattarola | 88 | ITA | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 151 |
5 | Aniol Gelabert | 28 | SPA | TRRS Factory Team | TRRS | 137 |
6 | Jack Peace | 76 | GBR | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 121 |
7 | Hugo Dufrese | 17 | FRA | Beta | Beta | 108 |
8 | Alex Canales | 24 | SPA | Montesa Talent School | Montesa | 107 |
9 | Pablo Suarez | 33 | SPA | Montesa Talent School | Montesa | 32 |
