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After a long summer break the 2010 FIM Women's Trial World Championship will resume in the Czech Republic this coming weekend, for the second of the three round series. As expected reigning champion Laia Sanz - Repsol Montesa, who is looking to clinch her tenth FIM Women's Trial World title this year, is once again in the driving seat after having dominated the opening Grand Prix in France back in July.
History would say that Sanz is going to be hard to stop, with the twenty-four year old having established a clear advantage over her nearest rivals in more recent seasons. Eighteen year old Joanne Coles - Gas Gas is the rider who is closest to Sanz after the first round, with the teenager having finished a solid second behind the Montesa teamster in France. Even by her own admission, Coles knows that she faces an almost impossible task in overcoming Laia at such an early point in her own career.
Whilst there is no doubting Coles' talent, perhaps it will be a more experienced campaigner who puts the pressure on Sanz as the action shifts to the Czech Republic. Twenty four year old Rebekah Cook - Gas Gas is no stranger to a battle with her Spanish rival, and has twice finished as runner up to Sanz in the general standings over the last two years. Although Cook has pushed hard at times, that initial Grand Prix win still eludes her.
Whilst unable to claim her win in France, Rebekah was part of an all British lock out at St Michele De Maurienne, as three Brits packed the top four places. On this occasion it was Cook who lost out to her two compatriots, as she finished fourth behind Emma Bristow - Gas Gas. This was Bristow's best ever GP result, with fifth place having previously been her highest showing amongst the World's elite.
Germany's Rosita Leotta - Gas Gas completed the top five in France, which was perhaps less than the seasoned campaigner expected, with this being her eighth year on the tour. Leotta, who will turn twenty one years old later this year, has threatened to re-establish herself alongside the leading challengers over more recent years, but has failed to regain the form that put her third in the World back in 2004 and 2005.
Spain's seventeen year old Sandra Gomez - Gas Gas is another rider who is operating on the fringes of better things, and her sixth position at this year's opening GP marked her best result to date. Practising with her brother Alfredo Gomez - Montesa over the winter would appear to have refined her young talent into a more complete package ahead of her 2010 assault.
With two rounds in two weeks, the defining moment in the 2010 FIM Women's Trial World Championship is almost upon us, so for those that are serious about their attack on this year's series will need to make sure that they are at their peak in the coming days.
