Thursday July 3, 2025 at 4:12pm
The ACU Trial GB Championship returned for Rounds 3 and 4 — this time heading down south to the ever-reliable Hookwood venue, hosted by the Hook Wood trials club team. Known for their top-tier events, they once again delivered a brilliant back-to-back weekend of trial action.
The course featured 12 sections across 2 laps, packed with man-made, technical obstacles that were as demanding as they were entertaining for the spectators. Not only did the sections provide a serious challenge, but the hot summer weather added another layer of difficulty across both days.Unlike the more spread-out layout of the previous round at Inch Perfect, Hookwood’s compact course allowed minders to move quickly between sections, and crowds to follow the riders closely, creating a superb backdrop for a weekend of top-level riding.
Saturday – Round 3
Day one kicked off under sunny skies and quickly proved tough across all classes. Big rock steps, tight, technical corners, and slippery surfaces kept riders on their toes. Even in the dry heat, the rocks were slick enough to steal marks from the best. While the sections were man-made, the variation and severity across them truly tested each rider’s ability. Some zones featured relentless rock-after-rock combinations, while others allowed riders a moment to breathe before attacking steps taller than many of the competitors themselves. Precision and line choice were critical — those aiming for the podium couldn’t afford a single mistake.
One standout was Section 6, which gave the lower routes a real test. Jumbled rocks and awkward lines made balance and planning essential. Meanwhile, the Trial GB class faced a brutal opening in Section 2, with a towering eight-foot step, massive gaps, and even bigger steps — features that looked even more intimidating in person than they did on camera. The Hook Wood team set a tough but fair challenge. Riders were pushed beyond what they thought possible — and that’s exactly what championship-level trials is all about.
Sunday – Round 4
As Round 4 began on Sunday, the hot weather stuck around — but so did the excitement. The Hookwood team had tweaked most sections overnight, ensuring fresh challenges, and even added two new sections (Sections 5 and 11) to keep things interesting. Notably, the Green Route was adjusted after a low-scoring Saturday, especially to challenge the Expert class more effectively. This time, marks were expected to be taken — and they were.
Riders arrived eager and focused, with many looking forward to a harder day — some thrive best when the pressure is on. And they didn’t disappoint. Several riders cleaned lines they’d struggled with the day before, while others experimented with new approaches, determined to improve their scores. The crowd on Sunday was incredible, turning up in force to support both the riders and the club. And the riders responded — putting on a proper show. The two new sections added spice to the mix, giving fans a glimpse of just what the UK’s top riders are capable of.
The Hookwood team pulled off an exceptional weekend, delivering two rounds that were challenging, entertaining, and immaculately run. From Youth B to Girls Trial 2, through to Trial 2 and the elite Trial GB class, the level of riding was high across the board. The sun shone, the crowd cheered, and the riders rode their hearts out — it was a weekend that will be remembered by everyone involved.
Next up, the championship heads to Northern Ireland for the third back-to-back weekend, with Rounds 5 and 6 hosted by RS Trials at Dunmore Off-Road Centre. If Hookwood is anything to go by, we’re in for another fantastic weekend of British trials action.