The grand finale of the Trials UK OSET Cup hosted by Horsforth DMC was a real nail biter! With only two championship points separating E-Class hard route riders, Dominic Horne, Lewis Hurdsman and Harry Hemingway at the start of the event – the result could not have been closer. The boys, all aged 6, played to their strengths taking individual wins across different sections.
But, it was a delighted Harry Hemingway who raised the OSET Cup at the end of the weekend, after a skilful display of riding. He was able to keep momentum and ensure the bike never stopped rolling through some tricky sections, which really made the difference. He was without doubt the best rider across the series, showing great throttle control and the ability to pick and ride the best line.
Nige Pearson from Trials UK, said: “Harry is a brilliant little rider. He shows exceptional skill on the bike, is always relaxed and takes every obstacle in his stride. Dominic and Lewis pushed him all the way and I believe these three boys are probably the best E-Class riders in the country.”
The Tong venue with streams, rocks, logs, hill climbs and drop ins was a fantastic location where the riders really got the chance to demonstrate their skills across two days of trialling. In addition, Ian Smith, founder of OSET Bikes stepped up to observe the final trial.
He said: “I made the first every OSET Bike for my own son, Oliver when he was three years old. To see kids of a similar age, along with their parents experiencing the same pleasure I enjoyed and still
do with Oliver, my daughter Ella and youngest son Elliot, really means a lot. To get out and see why we make these bikes made for a lovely day and I really enjoyed helping out.”
Alexander Horne lifted the first place trophy for the E-Class easy route. The four year old, who only started school two weeks ago, has come on leaps and bounds and finished the championship riding a 16” 36v OSET bike. George Hemingway, Conrad Andrew and Flynn Collings came second, third and fourth respectively.
Jak Heaney entered the OSET Cup this year with the biggest smile that hasn’t left his face all year, was crowned winner of the E-Class intermediate route. Jak has often shown utter fearlessness in his determination to give everything a go and more often than not with a showboat wheelie or jump as he leaves a section. Charlie Crossland chased hard all year to come in second. Myles Hutchinson and Morgan Shepherd came third and fourth respectively. There’s not a lot to separate these riders and no doubt next season will see all four trading places on the podium. Aaron Chadwick, Monte Andrew and Jamie Rowntree all picked up finishers awards.
It was girl power and huge smiles all the way for Libby Cook, Taylor Crossland and Lucy Foxcroft who came first, second and third in the girls’ championship. They gave many of the boys a run for their money across the season, as between them they took home numerous podium finishes, highlighting that trials riding is a great sport for boys and girls.
Harry McLoughlin put in some great performances throughout the OSET Cup and was delighted to take home the winner’s trophy for the D-Class hard route. Supported all season by his granddad Joe and mum and dad it shows just how trials riding can span the generations as the enjoyment and love of trials has passed from father to son. Ryan Shepherd had some fantastic rides throughout the season and came an incredibly close second place.
Nige Pearson said: “Competition across all the classes is fierce and we are especially grateful to the Sherwin family and Apico for sponsoring the awards which mean so much to these young riders. There is very little between the top few riders and it’s going to be particularly interesting to see how they develop next year after a winter of practice. We also look forward to welcoming the newly eligible four year olds next season.”
Barry Huskinson from OSET Bikes, said: “The OSET Cup has had to adapt as the skill level of these incredibly young riders has increased exponentially. What some of these riders are capable of is nothing short of astounding. E-Class riders Dominic Horne and Jak Heaney have already made the step up to compete at national level, with obstacles and challenges that see the 16” OSET Bikes ridden to their limit.
“Splitting the riders by class and across their level of experience means these very young riders don’t have to take huge leaps in difficulty. Rather, they can enter the easy, intermediate or hard route, no matter their age, yet still compete against their peers.
“The big picture is to introduce more riders to the sport of trials . The E-Class, which means riders aged 4 – 6 (and not electric where some confusion still lies) is the fastest growing division of trials riding today. That can only be a good thing for the long-term prosperity of the sport.”
The details of next year’s OSET Cup are still being worked through as the electric manufacturer aims to develop the series throughout the UK.
Nige finished: “OSET Bikes gives these youngsters time on the bike as they’re able to ride them in the back garden or down the local woods because they are virtually silent. To excel at any sport, it comes down to practice, practice, practice which is precisely what OSET Bikes allow.”