The two Galfer riders are tied for the lead in TrialGP 2023 after three Grand Prix, while Emma Bristow stood out in the women’s category.
After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the TrialGP of Japan returned in 2023 with another two great duels between the Galfer riders in both the Elite men’s—Toni Bou (Montesa-Honda) and Jaime Busto (Gas Gas)—and women’s—Emma Bristow (Sherco) and Berta Abellán (Scorpa)—categories.
The first day started with slippery conditions caused by rain the previous day. Despite the complicated terrain, Toni Bou brought all his skills to take the victory with a 10-point lead over Jaime Busto. Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa-Honda) was fourth and Matteo Grattarola (Vertigo) fifth.
Day 2 was much drier, with easier conditions and much tighter scores. In these conditions, Bou and Busto finished tied on points, although Jaime took the win thanks to a higher number of clean sections completed. Gabriel Marcelli finished fourth again, while Jorge Casales (Scorpa) was fifth.
Toni Bou and Jaime Busto thus remain tied for 111 points at the top of the overall 2023 TrialGP standings.
In the women’s category, British rider Emma Bristow (Sherco) dealt a blow to her competitors by winning on both days. On the first day Emma beat Berta Abellán by 11 points, while on the second day she won by just 2 points.
Bristow now leads the Women’s Trial World Championship by 4 points while also extending her undefeated streak in Japan.
All Galfer riders used the fixed “Disc Wave®” W (front) and WLLG (rear) discs, with either semi-metallic G1805 or sintered G1395 brake pads, depending on the conditions.
The next TrialGP event will be held in San Marino from 9 to 11 June.
