Sustainability is an essential consideration with any FIM event and it is at the forefront of planning for the TrialGP of Great Britain – round four of the 2026 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship – that takes place at the Trac Mon Circuit Anglesey over the weekend of 24-26 July.
With part of the venue an officially designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Jake Miller and Dougie Lampkin of promoter ML Events have been meticulous in their course planning in such an ecologically sensitive area. Particular attention is being paid to the area’s wildlife with one specific species of bird falling under the spotlight.
“The land has never been grazed so the grass is quite rancid which means a species of bird called a Chough won’t nest there,” explained Miller. “Our legacy project is to leave animals on the land to graze it and stimulate grass growth so the Choughs will return and nest.
“The biggest challenge has been that probably slightly more than fifty per cent of the course is in an SSSI so we have had to do a lot of work in terms of ecology and sustainability. We’ve got permission from Natural Resources Wales to operate in a very sensitive area and Trial is probably the only motorsport that could operate on this type of land.”
Caretaking the area’s flora and fauna is not the only environmental issue ML Events, that earlier this year staged the hugely successful X-Trial Leeds, is addressing and there is a concerted effort to discourage illegal riding both on the course and in the wider area.
“We’ve been very involved in this and we have released statements emphasising the importance of only riding in areas where permissions are in place. This is an issue we face in every country, be it Spain, Italy or the UK. Illegal motorcycle riding is a very topical thing and we want to be a responsible partner.”
As well as paying careful attention to ongoing issues of sustainability, ML Events is also aiming to widen the appeal of the sport by running the three-day Moto Fest alongside it.
Billed as the ‘ultimate motorcycle festival’, Moto Fest offers visitors a packed programme throughout the three days, with the entertainment starting at noon on Friday and running through until late on Sunday afternoon.
With attractions including Enduro and Trial riding zones as well as guided adventure loops, road ride-outs and track sessions with world-class riders, at the heart of the event is a hardstanding Expo Village showcasing major motorcycle manufacturers and other brands.
“It’s a project that started back in 2017 and we’ve always shared this passion to bring the best riders in the world to a venue we think is stunning and unique. It’s a permanent motorsports venue and an amazing opportunity to try and widen the appeal of a niche sport to the wider motorcycle audience by running Moto Fest alongside it.
“In all the years I’ve been going to Trial events, I don’t think the sport has ever been central to a bigger motorcycle festival and this is our way of giving it a much wider appeal.”