THE Ulster Motorcycle Trials Championship leaderboard is taking shape following the Marcus Blain Trial at Slieve Croob.
Low clouds hung over the area as competitors arrived for the Marcus Blain Trial – round three of this year’s Championship. The Temple Motorcycle and Athletic Club had readied the course for a strong turnout across all classes.
In the SJ Trials Elite class, Banbridge’s Josh Hanlon kept his Championship lead with another first place. Jay Pyper secured second, while Scott Callaghan’s performance puts him level on overall points with Pyper. Stuart Hanlon remains close behind and Paul Abram continues to climb after a late start. With six rounds left, the title remains wide open.
The SJ Trials Expert class saw strong results from Alex Lennox and Adam Harris, both improving their Championship positions. The Slieve Croob round moved Neil Moore into the overall lead ahead of Robert McCrory, with Andrew McCrory, Ross Allen and Alex Guthrie keeping the pressure on in what is shaping into a tight contest.
In the Inchaquire Industries Semi-expert class, Sam McCallion retained his Championship lead, though Matt Millar dominated the day with a clear first place. McCallion held second ahead of Philip Hanlon, John McAndrew and Neal Perry, leaving this class among the most competitive of the season.
The Leadmines Motorcycles Clubman Class continues to be led overall by Terence McKee, who finished third on the day behind Roger Callaghan and Stephen Kelly. Phillip McClurg also impressed at the meeting while Ross McCullough and Jack Sloan remain firmly in contention.
In the Quinn Motorcycles Repair Sportsman Class, the leaderboard shifted again. After three rounds, Kyle McClean leads the Championship with Simon Scott in second and George Smyth in third, just ahead of Robert White, Michael Adams and Gary Johnston, reflecting the depth of talent in this year’s field.
The Youth classes continue to show the future strength of the sport. In Youth A, Ben Allen remains firmly in first with Ollie Reid in second. In Youth B, Ollie Gilmour leads the class, with Adam Marshall taking second on the day. Previous round winner Philip Brannigan will be eager to push back up the standings next time out.
The Temple club extends sincere thanks to the landowner, course setters, observers, competitors and digital scorer Barry McMillen from the Ards club, as well as everyone whose support is essential to the running of the Marcus Blain Trial.
The club wishes all riders the very best for the remaining rounds of the ADS Mechanicals Ulster Trials Championship.
