All is now ready for a fabulous weekend of world-class motorcycle trials competition in the Isle of Man. Three separate international events are taking place over a short course based on the outskirts of Douglas and Onchan.
World champion Tony Bou from Spain heads a spectacular men’s line-up which includes three other past title holders in the main Trials des Nations competition on Sunday. Nine teams of four will ride the TDN World Championship 18 top-grade observed sections, while a further 10 teams of four compete for the International Trophy on a less severe version of the course, both classes doing two laps.
Sunday’s event starts from the TT Grandstand at eight o’clock, with the Trophy teams going first. The World Championship class will follow and is expected to take around eight hours to complete the distance.
Observed sections are at Governor’s Bridge Dip, Groudle Glen, Groudle Headland, Howstrake. White City, Port Jack, Summer Hill Glen and Douglas Promenade. They can be reached most easily by using a shuttle bus service accessed by purchase of the official programme.
The weekend kicks off with the final round of the Women’s Individual World Championship on Friday September 28th, using a similar course, but over two laps of 15 sections including two in the grounds of the Villa Marina. Reigning champion Laia Sanz from Spain defends a slender advantage over Germany’s Iris Kramer and Britain’s Rebekkah Cook. The start is at the TT Grandstand at 10.30am. There will be no shuttle bus service for this.
On Saturday, more-or-less the same field rides the Women’s Trial des Nations, with 11 three-rider teams doing battle. Britain won it in France last year, but face stiff competition from Spain and Germany, with Laia and Kramer their top aces, The event starts from the TT Grandstand at 10.30am. The shuttle bus will be running.
All three events will have presentation ceremonies on the TT Rostrum soon after the last competitor finishes, but in addition the top three women in the 2007 World Championship will be presented with their awards at a ceremony at the Villa Marina starting at 7.30 on the Friday evening.
At the same time, the men’s and women’s teams for the Trial des Nations events will be ceremonially marched into the Royal Hall to be greeted by the public. Everyone is invited to attend and no tickets are required.