Raga does it again, while Lampkin falters.
Barcelona, Spain. February 1st 2004.
Adam Raga extended his lead at the head of the 2004 World Indoor Championship table to 10 points after winning in Barcelona. His main rival in the Championship, Dougie Lampkin turned in what must be one of the worst performances of his Indoor career finishing the Qualification Lap in a poor 5th position - with a staggering 19 penalties more than the young Gas Gas rider.
No one could touch Raga on his home turf. With the 13,000 strong crowd on his side Raga was simply on fire! At the end of the night another rider from Northern Spain, Marc Freixa, wrapped up second spot. To put Raga's ride into perspective, take a look at the scores. In the heats his score was virtually half of his nearest rival. In the final it was almost a mere one third of Freixa's and Fujinami's scores. This was not just a win, it was a staggering display of total dominance.
There is no doubt that the outcome of this round was crucial to Lampkin's hopes of regaining the Indoor crown. Dougie now has a mountain to climb if he wants to contest the title. As Raga has had nothing but first's and second's, while Dougie has failed to qualify twice this year, the writing is already on the wall.
The 2004 World Indoor Series now takes a week off, returning on February the 14th in Pesaro, Italy for the seventh round.
