TeamGB Goal is Gold at Trial des Nations in Spain
The ACU’s TeamGB squad heads into this weekend’s FIM Trial des Nations competition with one clear objective: to fight for gold medals across all three categories.
A year on from an impressive 2025 showing in Italy, when the Challenge Cup team secured second place on its debut (pictured below), the Women’s team took third and the Men produced GB’s best result in years with a strong second place, Team Manager Sam Connor believes his talented squad can go one better at Arteixo in Northern Spain.
Representing Great Britain in the Men’s class are Harry Hemingway (Beta), George Hemingway (Beta), and Harry Turner (Sherco). The Women’s team consists of Alice Minta (Beta), Kaytlyn Adshead (Vertigo) and Emma Bristow (Sherco). Trial2 Women title challenger Matilda Arbon (Sherco) and 2026 FIM Trial3 World Champion Harison Skelton (Scorpa) will ride in the Challenge Cup.
Connor, who is supported by former TdN winner Donna Fox in his role as Team Manager, has placed an increased emphasis on performance since taking charge and makes no secret of his ambition to see TeamGB challenging for the top step of the podium.
“We’re not going to make up the numbers,” he said. “This is a performance piece and my ambition is to be winning all three categories. I absolutely think it’s possible.”
Confidence is high following a strong end to the TrialGP season last weekend at Pobladura de las Reguera for many of the British riders, while the majority of the squad has remained in Spain this week to train together.
Belief and teamwork
That time on the practice sections could prove invaluable in an event where individual brilliance alone is not enough. In the Men’s and Women’s competitions, the best two performances from the three riders count on each section, placing a premium on consistency, tactics and teamwork.
“It is really a team event,” Connor added. “Between the three riders, you’ve got to be consistent, and it’s that consistency that can win this.
“The biggest thing for me is injecting that belief into the squad. We’ve got enough depth of talent in the UK and I don’t think we should settle for anything less.”
Connor also believes TeamGB has the right blend of youthful energy, winning mentality and experience, both among the riders and within the support crew, to deliver when the pressure rises.
“We’ve got a good vibe in the team,” he said. “It’s a massively talented bunch of riders and we’re all on the same page when it comes to expectations and the strength of the performance we need to – and can – deliver.”
Experience counts
That belief is shared by reigning TrialGB Women’s Champion Alice Minta, who heads into the Trial des Nations in excellent form having just secured third place in the FIM TrialGP Women’s World Championship.
“This last weekend was really good,” she explained. “I finished third in the championship, but I’ve also come close to a couple of wins, which is really positive. I’m definitely feeling in good form.”
Minta is looking forward to joining forces with TdN team-mates Kaytlyn Adshead and multiple world champion Emma Bristow, whose experience and winning pedigree could be a major asset.
“Although Emma has had a year off from international competition, her riding is still amazing and she’s still one of the best riders in the world,” Minta said. “Not only that, her experience within the team is so important. She’s a role model to all of us, so to have her on our side is a big positive.”
Form and momentum
There is similar confidence within the Men’s squad, with newly-crowned TrialGB Champion Harry Hemingway joined by younger brother George and Harry Turner – all three arriving at the event on the back of strong world championship campaigns.
“We’re all on top form at the minute,” Harry said. “I had two career-best podiums at the weekend, George has just finished runner-up in the Trial2 World Championship and Harry finished fourth and has had a couple of wins this year.
“We’re all of a similar age, we get on really well and we’re practising together in the build-up to TdN. Hopefully we can repeat last year’s result, if not go one better, and really take it to Spain.”
Check on the TrialGB website for a full post-event report on Sunday night.
