The Manx National Two-Day Trial gets underway this Saturday with over 250 competitors from all parts of the UK ready to take on two great days of Trials action on Solo and Sidecar machines.
The bumper entry of competitors returning to the ‘Manx’ reconfirms its place as one of the largest events on the National Calendar with entries for 2022 event filling up in record time earlier this year.
Riders will get underway from 8am on Saturday morning from Douglas Rugby Club on a course that will take them to some of the best terrain the Island has to offer with separate routes for solo and sidecar competitors. The solos covering nearly 60 miles and 80 observed sections across the weekend with the sidecars covering around 50 miles and 78 sections.
The competitors will head in a generally north direction on Saturday with early groups including West Baldwin Bridge (08:50), Ballawyllin (09:20) and Creg-y-Cowin (09:40) for the solos with Glen Lough (08:40), West Baldwin Claddaghs (09:45) and Colden Plantation (10:45) for the sidecars. The solos continue with groups at Axnfell (11:43), lunch stop at Ballacarrooin(12:30), Lark Hill (13:20), Bims Field (14:58), with the first rider due to finish their day one at Ballacreetch at 15:18.
Meanwhile the Sidecars will be visiting most of the same venues during the rest of the day with the first outfit due to finish the day at 15:39.
Sunday sees the event head in a more southerly direction making sure the riders truly get to see all aspects of the Islands scenery and rockery. Heading towards Ballavitchell (08:48) and Kings Forest (09:19) the Solo riders will then continue west towards the Ballaspit (10:45) and Carnagrie (11:23) where there will also be a lunch stop. The afternoon will see old favourites such as South Barrule Quarry (13:05), Old Stoney Mountain Quarry (13:59) and Ballanicholas (14:39) before the final sections at Knock Froy (15:40).
The sidecars will once again be covering a similar route which will see them at Cornelly Mines (10:00), Ballaspit (10:59) and Carnagrie (11:29). Afternoon venues will include Foxdale Brickworks (13:36) and Chibbanagh Plantation (14:40) before also finishing at Knock Froy (15:03).
The solo class is split into two categories with the bulk of the entry riding the Clubman route, but a healthy 35 riders tackling the harder Expert route. Local Enduro stars Daniel and Jamie McCanney will be close to the head of the field on Saturday starting at number 5 and 17 respectively along with a group of their fellow enduro riders including one or two other famous names. Other riders to watch out for in the Expert class include Vertigo mounted pre-event favourite Alexz Wigg at number 124 and Beta rider Hugo Jervis at 123. These riders both compete in the Trial2 class at British Championship level, with Wigg having also been a Junior World Champion previously and winner of the Scottish Six Day Trial.
As always there will be a group of locals pushing hard to get a good result on home soil including previous winners Barry Kinley, who will be back on a Gas Gas and Scorpa mounted Juan Knight still capable of challenging at the top of the leaderboard. TrialGB Expert class regular Owen Chestnut who is also riding a Scorpa, will be making his debut as will fellow IOM Youth Trials graduate Bobby Moyer, along with a list of riders who regularly compete at British Championship level all hoping to put on a good show for the Manx crowd.
The Clubman Solo class as always remains wide open with a number of riders in position to take a win including previous winner Nigel Crowther, who is back on his Vertigo and will face a stiff challenge from riders of the calibre of Kiaran Hankin and Andrew Reeves who filled two of the podium positions last time out in 2019.
The Sidecar competitors are also split into Expert and Clubman categories, with the pairing of Jack Corlett/Jamie Howe starting as favourites after some good performances at British Championship events this year.
Event Details
Riders and Observers signing on will take place on Friday 15th July at Douglas Rugby Club, located on the outskirts of Douglas, just near to Quarterbridge on the TT course.
The trial itself commences from 8am on each day from the same place.
The weekend is completed by the Presentation of awards on Sunday evening, 17th July 2022, at the Palace Hotel, with doors opening from 8.00pm.
