The winner last time out in Austria when he claimed his debut FIM X-Trial World Championship victory for GASGAS, Jaime Busto has secured another podium finish – his third in a row this season – with a super-strong ride at round three of the series at Pamplona in Spain.
Busto led after the opening lap in Pamplona, taking control early on with a solid showing as he took the lead ahead of reigning champion Toni Bou. With a score of just two, he then picked up one additional mark during the second lap as he went on to book his place in the all-important final.
Hoping to repeat the form that saw him take victory last time out, the 25-year-old went on to ride to a third-place finish at the end of a close-fought final. Despite progressing to the final in front, a pair of maximum scores proved costly for Busto as the competition went down to the wire. In continuing his run of podium finishes, Busto remains in contention for the championship, sitting just 12 points off the lead in second with four rounds still to run.
Sondre Haga continued his climb up the FIM X-Trial World Championship ladder with a rock-solid seventh at round three. The young Norwegian prospect improved on his opening round but failed to make the cut for the three-rider final.
After sitting out the previous round in Austria, Busto’s teammate Haga was on form and despite an ankle injury his seventh on the night was a solid finish as he bids to establish himself as a major player on the world stage.
Jaime Busto: “I’m happy with how the night has gone. I made really good first and second laps with a great feeling on the bike, which is getting better and better. In the final I made a couple of mistakes that in the end put me back into third but I’m happy because one of my goals at the start of the season was to be consistently on the podium and I’m making it happen. We’ll continue working in this direction for the rest of the rounds.”
Sondre Haga: “Two weeks ago I didn’t know if I was even going to be riding here but I had no pain in my foot today, so it was great. I made some stupid mistakes on the first lap, some of which could have been avoided, but on the second lap I felt more relaxed. I was able to ride more normally and had a better feeling on the bike so I’m happy for that. Let’s go for the next one.”
The next stop on the FIM X-Trial World Championship tour is X-Trial Bordeaux on April 7.
Results – 2023 X-Trial World Championship, Round 3
1. Toni Bou (Montesa) 3 points (final)
2. Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) 12 pts (final)
3. Jaime Busto (GASGAS) 13 pts (final)
4. Adam Raga (TRRS) 12
5. Toby Martyn (Montesa) 17
6. Aniol Gelabert (Beta) 18
7. Sondre Haga (GASGAS) 26
8. Benoit Bincaz (Sherco) 30
9. Matteo Grattarola (Vertigo) 34
2023 X-Trial Championship Standings (after round 3)
1. Toni Bou (Montesa) 58 points
2. Jaime Busto (GASGAS) 46
3. Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) 40
4. Adam Raga (TRRS) 30
5. Toby Martyn (Montesa) 12
6. Aniol Gelabert (Beta) 10
9. Sondre Haga (GASGAS) 5
11. Marco Mempor (GASGAS) 1