Ulster Motorcycle Trials Championship Leaderboard Taking Shape Following Marcus Blain Trial at Slieve Croob.
Low hanging clouds lay heavy in the hollows as the sun rose slowly over the formidable Slieve Croob. The long and winding mountain road was filled with a cavalcade of trials bikes on trailers, competitors and companions all readying themselves for the Marcus Blain Trial, Round 3 of the ADS Mechanicals Ulster Championship 25/26.
The Temple Motorcycle & Athletic Club, hosts of the event had everything in place ready for the impressive turnout of eager riders to excel over the expertly set course ahead of them.
After a long week few know how to really unwind and feel free. Those who do, head to Slieve Croob to get their head in the clouds, their feet firmly off the ground and onto the pedals. Agility and ability leave no room for error as riders seek a zero point score on each step of the challenge combining timing, equilibrium and fine tuning to make a molehill out of Dromara’s ever mighty Croob.
The SJ Trials Elite class saw Banbridge’s Josh Hanlon hold onto his lead in the Championship taking a strong 1st place on Saturday from Jay Pyper who took 2nd place after an impressive previous round. Scott Callaghan proved himself in Dromara on Saturday boosting his overall points to level up with Pyper and share 2nd place. With Stuart Hanlon only a handful of points behind them and Paul Abram making great headway after a late start to the championship it’s still anyone’s title for the taking with 6 rounds still left to compete.
Currently leading the Ulster Championship elite rider Josh Hanlon travels upstream with Grace and agility.
Jay Pyper sitting 2nd in the SJ Trials elite class of this years championship makes a splash in round 3 at Slieve Croob.
Scott Callaghan of the SJ Trials Elite Class demonstrates how rock hopping can be done with style.
The SJ Trials Expert class saw Alex Lennox and Adam Harris prove they know their way around the Dromara hills, both bringing home great results in the Marcus Blain Trial on Saturday and in doing so pushing their way up the rankings. Round 3 results at Slieve Croob pushed Neil Moore into first place overall from Robert McCrory. It’s clear Andrew McCrory and Ross Allen seem set to give them a run for their money this Championship. Alex Guthrie another rider not to be discounted this season and with this skill level throughout the class it’s likely to be close round for round.
The Inchaquire Industries Semi-expert class saw Sam McCallion hold onto his lead in this year’s ADS Mechanicals Ulster Championship, however Matt Millar was the dominant force in dromara on Saturday scooping 1st place in the Marcus Blain trial. McCallion a strong second held off Philip Hanlon, John McAndrew and Neal Perry, its obvious this is a Championship class worth watching with talent galore there has to be so much in store this season.
Ross Allen captured in a moment of sheer concentration as he skilfully negotiates his way round the Marcus Blain Trial course
Leadmines Motorcycles Clubman Class is currently reigned by Terence McKee who took 3rd on Saturday to Roger Callaghan and Stephen Kelly who both left their mark on Slieve Croob. Phillip McClurg’s score in round 3 showed he too is not to be overlooked and with Ross McCullough and Jack Sloan in the mix this Clubman Class has plenty to offer this Championship.
Trials riding is the epitome of roaming freely over bumps and jumps at a steady pace as riders skilfully tackle the terrain that rises to meet them whilst masterfully taming their steeds becoming one with the bike and trying to be the best at it.
Ben Allen wheelies his way out of the rough and into 1st place in Youth A class last Saturday at Slieve Croob.
In the Quinn Motorcycles Repair Sportsman Class at Marcus Blain Trial on Saturday there was already a shuffle of the leaderboard, heading into the fourth round of the ADS Mechanicals Ulster Championship Kyle McClean sits at the top in 1st with Simon Scott in 2nd. George Smyth now in 3rd remains marginally ahead of Robert White, Michael Adams and Gary Johnston. This only highlights the calibre of Motorcycle trials talent in Northern Ireland and the high competitive level in this year’s Championship.
When frosty rivers and mossy rocks await most would be deterred only the brave meet the challenge head on. The Youth Classes serve to remind us of that and of the future of Trials and how much we have to look forward to. In Youth A class Ben Allen is sitting firmly at the top of the class with Ollie Reid a determined second. Youth B Class Ollie Gilmour heads the group with Adam Marshall taking second on Saturday Philip Brannigan having won the previous round will be keen to get back in the rankings next round and pick up where he left off.
Scott Callaghan of the SJ Trials Elite Class demonstrates how rock hopping can be done with style.
The Temple Motorcycle club owe a great debt of gratitude to the Landowner, course setters, observers, competitors and Barry McMillen from the Ards club, the digital scorer guru. Desi Herron, John Heenan, Craig Allen, David Gault, Alan Young, Stephen Cromie, Rodney Gilmour, Mike Crothers, Russell Houston, Andrew Guthrie, Jimmy Dickey, Ken Clarke and Philip Allen.
Whose help and assistance was vital to the successful running of the Marcus Blain Trial Saturday November 8th on Slieve Croob.
With great thanks to all involved at every level the Temple Club wish all riders the very best of luck in the remaining rounds of the 25/26 ADS Mechanicals Ulster Trials Championship.
Photography by Earl Boyd.
