ONE HANDED

That’s exactly how I feel at times as my shoulder injury continues to impair my 2016 outdoor world championship season in the new TrialGP class. What it has done is endorse what a superb team I have around me!

Before we move on to the outdoor trials I must say how elated I am to have won my tenth consecutive X-Trial world title at the final round in France in late March. It was early in April, when I ruptured a ligament in my right shoulder whilst training, that I realised I would be struggling to be 100% fit for the start of the outdoor WTC. I have restricted movement and strength in my right arm and shoulder which makes it so difficult to control the Repsol Honda in certain situations.

I arrived at the opening two-day round at Cal/Rosal in Spain not knowing whether I would be competing or not. If I am honest I struggled on day one, but on day two I took a very important win — much to my surprise!

It was then on to Japan for the next two-day round, and once again I was struggling with my form on day one before I blew the opposition out of the water on day two. It’s a very strange situation as I have rested between the rounds, but once I have competed for one day I actually feel better for the second one. I am competing with the shoulder heavily strapped. The Repsol Honda team have been so supportive with the injury as they all want to see me take a record breaking tenth outdoor title.

On another note, I must congratulate my Japanese team-mate Takahisa Fujinami on his 300th World round start on day two on Japan — what a guy. When I moved the Repsol Honda team in 2007 he spent so much time showing me how to get the best out of the four-stroke Cota 4RT engine. Many people forget that ‘Fujigas’ moved to Europe as a young boy in 1996 and made an immediate impact in the WTC — I am proud to call you my friend, and long may the success continue.

Until Next Time – Ride On! – Toni