Fresh from his latest win in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa was obviously delighted with his third win in a row at the recent event held in Marseille, France. "I am very happy with my riding at the moment," said Bou. "For me, I would say I am riding better now than at any other time in my career. I am feeling good and I have a good rhythm. I also have a very good bike and a team that works hard to make sure I have everything I need to compete at the highest level, and this is also very important." "The hazards in Marseille were hard, there were some big steps and the sections were long. But I enjoyed this. It is good that the venue is small too, as the atmosphere is always good and you can hear the crowd cheering. This always encourages a rider and for me it is no different." "There is now a break in the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, but I will not take a holiday. It is an opportunity for me to keep working hard and pushing myself to do even better. I want to come back strong in Madrid and maintain my perfect record in the series. Of course it will not be easy when Adam (Raga) and others are riding well, but I am at a good level this year and I aim to stay at this level."

An exquisite Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa proved once again why he is head and shoulders above his rivals as he completed his two-night dominance at round three of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship in Marseille, France. The unrelenting Catalan outclassed his challengers for the second night in a row, cruising to a comfortable victory five marks clear of runner-up Adam Raga - Gas Gas. Albert Cabestany - Sherco completed the all-Spanish podium at the Palais des Sports arena, seven marks adrift of his slightly younger arch-rival and compatriot. Bou laid bare his intent twenty-four hours earlier as he emerged from seven difficult sections during qualification having amassed just four marks. Despite picking up a further two courtesy of a time penalty no others came close to his score, the tough course punishing the World's best Trial riders for the smallest of mistakes. Bou was the sole rider not to five section three, and the only rider not to pick up maximum marks in at least one section. Raga, meanwhile, was riding well. He was the best of the rest on Friday night, but Cabestany was close behind, setting the scene for a tense showdown between the two Spaniards in Saturday's final. The gruelling hazards took their toll on some of the less experienced protagonists, with Michael Brown - Gas Gas fiving every section in qualification and Alfredo Gomez – Montesa fairing little better. Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco performed a touch better, but was punished heavily for time, while Pol Tarres - Jotagas showed glimpses of promises on his JTG debut. All four failed to progress to Saturday's semi-final. Loris Gubian - Gas Gas roused his home crowd with an inspired performance on Friday. However, the Frenchman's luck ran out in the semifinal as he was relegated alongside Jeroni Fajardo - Beta. The latter was extremely disappointed with his below par performance. Come the final Bou made a rare mistake, losing his balance in section five and picking up maximum points. It was his sole error in what was one of his most polished rides this season. Bou's team mate, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa was less graceful over the big steps. The Japanese rider's flamboyant style and over-enthusiasm saw him crash out of a dual lane race spectacularly, his bike flying over the crowd barriers to gasps from the audience. It was the most dramatic of his exploits over the two-day event, and it resulted in a fourth place finish. Cabestany was angry at himself for making a handful of uncharacteristic mistakes on Saturday night. His third place was by no means a disaster, but it does mean he leaves Marseille tied on points with Raga in the championship standings. Raga was more upbeat and satisfied with his riding. The series now takes a five-week break before commencing again in Madrid in early

Having spent his lifetime in and around Trial, from riding, minding, and most recently organising international events in his homeland of Northern Ireland, David Rodgers is well qualified to fulfil his new role as Stage Manager at all rounds of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship. Rodgers was a natural fit for the Stage Manager position, having attended a brace of events last year shadowing former Stage Manager, and now Trial Commission Director, Dave Willoughby. Rodgers' background, which saw him coordinate the Trial Grand Prix of Ireland in 2008 and 2009 as Clerk of the Course, and mange the 2005 and 2006 FIM Indoor Trial World Championship inBelfast, means there are few more suited to his current role. "I work closely with the Television Stage Manager, Toni Campins, to ensure the best image of Trial is preserved throughout the event," said Rodgers. "That involves liaising with Toni, the referee - Anders Minken - the riders and their minders. I ensure that each rider is at the correct section, in the right order, at any given time. It is my responsibility to make sure we are adhering to our strict time schedule, which is important as the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship is normally broadcast live on television."

A confident and relaxed looking Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa strolled through qualification during the first-leg of a two-night trials extravaganza at round three of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, held in Marseille, France. Bou's dominance during the qualifying stages sent a clear message to his rivals, who had no answer to the five times Indoor / X-Trial World Champion's clinical display. The Catalan skipped through seven difficult sections at the expense of just four marks, two of which he picked up for going over time. Adam Raga - Gas Gas was second with nineteen marks, the margin highlighting Bou's accomplishment. Behind Raga the field was much closer, with Albert Cabestany - Sherco, Jeroni Fajardo - Beta, Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa and Loris Gubian - Gas Gas each separated by a single mark. Gubian, on twenty-four, was in fine form in front of his home crowd and thoroughly deserved his place in the Saturday night programme. Eighteen-year-old Pol Tarres - Jotagas was seventh on his JTG debut, the talented youngster showing glimpses of real potential. One mark adrift of Tarres in eighth was Alfredo Gomez - Montesa, while Michael Brown - Gas Gas and Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco were both disappointed with their less competitive early exits, as they finished ninth and tenth respectively. The stage is now set for Bou to snatch his third victory from as many rounds unless one of his rivals wakes up on Saturday morning with some new-found form. 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship
Round 3 Marseille, France Qualification
1: Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa 4
2: Adam Raga - Gas Gas 19
3: Albert Cabestany - Sherco 21
4: Jeroni Fajardo - Beta 22
5: Takahisa Fujinami - Repsol Montesa 23
6: Loris Gubian - Gas Gas 24

Non qualifiers
7: Pol Tarres - Jotagas 32
8: Alfredo Gomez - Montesa 33
9: Michael Brown - Gas Gas 35
10: Alexandre Ferrer - Sherco 40
Semi-final and final will start at 21.00hrs local time on Saturday 28th January.

2010 FIM Youth Trial World Champion Pol Tarres will debut the brand new Jotagas JT 300 at round three of the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship, which kicks-off in the atmospheric Palais des Sports de Marseille arena this evening. The new Jotagas machine has been developed by seven time World Trial Champion Jordi Tarres - Pol's uncle - hence it bears the legendary Spanish rider's initials 'JT' in what is an overt and appreciative nod to his technical input. One of two wildcard riders at tonight's event in France, Pol will be keen to give the bike and his Spanish team a positive outing during the qualification stage of the two-leg event. "I am very happy with the performance of the bike, the team and the guys at the factory have done a great job with its development and I am really looking forward to the event," said the eighteen-year-old. "Of course I am a little nervous, as it is my first attempt. However, we are ready and I hope I can put together a good performance." "The JTG is very lightweight. Both the frame, the swing arm and the engine," continued Tarres. "The bike's evolution has been positive and testing has been going well - I am facing obstacles with surprising ease, so I cannot wait to get started."