( Vertigo ), two failures in each of the opening two Rounds depriving him of a place in the Final . And he was somewhat fortunate to squeeze home in fourth on countback thanks to his superior Round Two performance over Benoit Bincaz ( Gas Gas ). The Frenchman , on his return from injury , looked back to something close to his best . And Toby Martyn ( TRRS ) impressed with sixth , progressing to the second Round for the first time in his short X-Trial career and finishing just two marks short of Busto and Bincaz .
The first two riders out onto the Round One sections , Norway ’ s Sondre Haga ( Beta ) and home Wild Card Téo Colairo ( Beta ), were eliminated at the preliminary stage in seventh and eighth respectively .
Toni Bou ( 1st ): “ This is the best way to start the season . My performance was almost perfect and my new bike was working really well , so I have to congratulate the team for all of the hard work they have done this winter . It ’ s been great to win in front of a packed crowd after two difficult years with Covid , it is brilliant to be back here in France and that makes it a special feeling .”
VOL . 7 ISSUE 4 - APRIL 2022 // PAGE 67