Challoner impresses Spanish crowd with a sensational fifth place in Barcelona
Top Trial Team frontman, Jack Challoner placed his best result of his career at the third round of the 2011 X-Trial series with a very impressive fifth place finish in front of a full house at the Palau Sant Jordi Stadium on the Barcelona hilltop, putting sixth in the 2011 X-Trial Championships at this point in the series. Challoner showed that his world class form set out in the last two months has been no exception, finishing in the semi-finals behind a all spanish podium of sensational names, Toni Bou (SPA - Montesa), Albert Cabestany (SPA - Sherco) and Adam Raga (SPA - Gas Gas).
The event, which was also coupled with the FIM Indoor Enduro championships saw the X-Trial championship qualifying round take place away from public eyes early on in the day's proceedings. Unlike most indoor trials there was little advantage to be gained by watching the riders ahead of you in the ballet - as getting close to the sections wasn't permitted due to the full scale indoor Enduro track which weaved through the arena floor. The sections, praised for being more technical than usual still compromised of the notorious big steps and under his seven minuet qualifying time limit, Jack edged an early advantage over British counterpart Michael Brown (GBR - Gas Gas).
With a large following of Yeadon and Guiseley club members making their annual trip out to the event, James Dabill (GBR - Beta) faced a tough head-to-head challenge with team-mate Challoner in a tie-breaker section to make the semi-finals. The Yorkshire duo both ride for the Yeadon and Guiseley club and for John Lampkin in the UK had to compete on a difficult white box section with the fastest timed rider making the cut. James didn't make a step early on in the section relieving Challoner from the time pressure and giving him the opportunity to clean the section.
Under the watchful eye of his Top Trial Team manager and minder, Michele Bosi and a full crowd at the ex Olympic Stadium - Jack faced a recently injured Takahisa Fujinami (JPN - Montesa) on the opening head-to-head race of the night. Challoner kept his cool and won the race by taking his time and approaching the hazard much like he would approach a section - this gave Jack a early and impressive lead over the crowd-pleasing 'Fujigas' who failed to match Jacks constant efforts at the highest level of world trials.
The event which was shown live on Eurosport, and featured guest commentator James Dabill after his early exit, saw Jack attempt every section with ultimate dedication - unfortunately that wasn't enough to get him out of the very difficult steel block section which played havoc with riders all night. Jack had a big crash and injured his leg in doing so - fortunately he was able to continue but too far off the pace to challenge the spanish riders on home soil.
Jack spoke after the trial about his best result of the year "Tonight has been fantastic, and something I have dreamed about for some time. I had a big crash mid-way through the semi finals which really made getting through the final section of this round a real struggle. I am definitely still learning at every round and competing at this level is a massive milestone for me"
"To have so many British fans out here and to beat Fujinami really was fantastic. The bike was absolutely superb and just felt amazing to ride. I will be hoping to maintain similar form as we head into the second half of the championships". Jack travels to Geneva, Switzerland for the forth round of the same championships this weekend.
