Kicking off his participation in the 2023 FIM X-Trial World Championship with a well-deserved third place result, Jaime Busto came out swinging inside the Palau Sant Jordi stadium tonight. The best rider at the end of the night’s opening lap of sections, Busto backed that up with another super-impressive ride during lap two. Continuing to ride well but not quite able to deliver the goods in the all-important final, Jaime nevertheless put his GASGAS on the podium, making a solid start to his championship hunt. Also competing against the best trial riders on the planet was rising star Sondre Haga. The Norwegian, in just his second appearance for the team, gained valuable top-flight indoor experience in Spain and would ultimately place eighth overall.
Jaime Busto: “It’s been a great night tonight. Things started incredibly well for me – getting the lowest score on the opening lap was a great way to start the event. Then I was able to back that up with a good ride on the second lap as well, where I only made one mistake. The nerves got into my head in the final and I wasn’t able to deliver my best, which put me in third place. I know I was capable of a better result but I’m really happy to leave the first round with a podium result and with a great feeling on the bike. Let’s see what round two delivers.”
Staged at Barcelona’s celebrated Palau Sant Jordi, the series opener gave Busto the opportunity to demonstrate his sublime skills, and he didn’t disappoint!
New regulations introduced for 2023 by the series promoter meant none of the nine-strong field was eliminated after the opening round of five sections. But Busto’s progress in the competition was never in doubt as his single-mark loss saw him ease into the second phase of qualification as the rider to beat, two points ahead of Adam Raga and four in front of Toni Bou.
With the second round run to an imposing time limit, Busto didn’t get off to the best of starts when he incurred a maximum on the huge blocks and pillars of section one. Bouncing back, he stayed clean over the remaining four hazards to book his place in the final.
Three fives in the three-man showdown proved costly for the 25-year-old as his total score of 17 placed him third, 10 behind winner and defending champion Bou and four off the pace of second-placed Gabriel Marcelli.
Busto’s teammate Sondre Haga went into the Barcelona event knowing he faced a very steep learning curve. The 23-year-old displayed impressive courage in only his second competitive appearance for the team.
His first round score of nine ensured he remained in touch with the leaders but a maximum at the start of round two put him on the back foot, ultimately meaning that the 2022 FIM Trial2 World Champion was unable to progress further. However, Sondre’s potential was clear for all to see and just like Jaime Busto, looks ahead to X-Trial round two.
Sondre Haga: “I rode very well tonight. We had a big step in the first section which was quite difficult for me and it cost me a five. I made some small mistakes during the lap – some dabs and some touching with the skid plate – but I felt incredible on the bike and with the team. There’s only one way forward – to train and push harder in the next race!”
The next stop on the FIM X-Trial World Championship tour is X-Trial Wiener Neustadt inside Austria’s Arena Nova on March 11.
Results – 2023 X-Trial World Championship, Round 1
1. Toni Bou (Montesa) 7 pts (final)
2. Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) 13 (final)
3. Jaime Busto (GASGAS) 17 (final)
8. Sondre Haga (GASGAS) 17
X-Trial Championship Standings (after round 1)
1. Toni Bou (Montesa) 21 pts
2. Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) 15
3. Jaime Busto (GASGAS) 13
8. Sondre Haga (GASGAS) 2