【2021 End Of Season Review】Toni Bou Wins 15th Consecutive Championship, Takahisa Fujinami Wins First Trial in Five Years in His Last Season

Fujinami Wins First TrialGP in Five Years in Italy

The opening round was held from June 12 over two days, in Tolmezzo in Northeast Italy. Bou had undergone surgery a month prior due to a left leg fibula fracture, and although he made it in time for the season opener, was not 100 percent due to lack of training. On Day 1, Bou erased any doubts about his fitness as he led arch rival Adam Raga (TRRS) on Lap 1. Although he tried his best, Raga could not quite catch Bou who went on to win Day 1.

Fujinami, seventh the previous day, shone in Day 2. After completing Lap 1 in third place picking up 18 marks, the Japanese rider lost only four on Lap 2, winning the round eight points ahead of Bou. Even Fujinami was surprised, as the 41 year old became the oldest rider to win in the world championship.

Bou Continues to Set New Trial World Championship Records

Round 2 was held at the Charade circuit in France. Wet and slippery conditions tormented riders, but Bou adapted well. Although he picked up three five-points on the first lap, Bou upped his game on Lap 2 adding only one more point to win his 120th world championship trial by a comfortable 20 point margin. Fujinami crashed on Lap 1, but rode hard the following lap to finish fourth.

Round 3 in Andorra was contested over two days. On Day 1, Bou battled hard with Raga to finish on the same points. Bou was faster, giving him his third victory of the season by a single point. Day 2 was hard for Bou, but he still managed to finish on the podium in third place. Raga won the day and closed in on Bou’s championship lead, but the gap was still eight points.

After the tough time in Andorra, the team went into Round 4, Cahors in France, with a new setup. Bou picked up only three points over the two laps to take the win, praising the team for their hard work after Andorra to prepare the perfect bike, and giving the team credit for his win. Fujinami had a harder time, finishing Lap 1 last, but on the second was able to pull back, eventually finishing in fifth position with the same score as the fourth-placed rider, but only thirty seconds behind.

In Round 5 held over two days in Spain, Toni Bou dominated Day 1. Jaime Busto (Vertigo) posed a serious threat, but Bou won, taking his lead in the standings over Raga to 19 points.

Toni Bou Wins 15th Consecutive Championship Title

On September 15, just before Round 6, Portugal, the trials world learned that Fujinami would end his 26 year trials career in Portugal. Three days later, Fujinami rode his hardest in each and every section to finish seventh. His final standing was one better than the previous season, finishing 2021 and his career in sixth place overall.

With yet another championship in his sights, Bou rode to another convincing victory despite having only to finish the race to win 2021. With seven victories out of nine races, Bou once again dominated the season to secure his 15th consecutive world championship title.

Race Reports

• Rd.01 Italy One-two for Repsol Honda Trial Team in Italy. Fujinami, victorious, aged 41

• Rd.02 France Toni Bou achieves a 120th Trial World Championship win after a superb race in France

• Rd.03 Andorra World championship leader Toni Bou finishes a tough Andorra TrialGP in third

• Rd.04 France Toni Bou increases world championship lead after the French GP

• Rd.05 Spain Toni Bou’s Spanish TrialGP double leaves him just one point shy of a 15th title

• Rd.06 Portugal Toni Bou wins a 29th Trial World Championship title in Portugal