Rising star Ailbe O’Connell is hoping he can top his first full season in the ACU EnduroGB Championship by sealing the Clubman title at the final event of the season this weekend (12-13 September).
The Hundred House event is hosting rounds 11 and 12 of the season and is being organised by Builth Wells Motorclub. Riders will tackle a 40-mile, figure-of-eight loop that will feature three tests per lap.
A number of championships will be decided in Mid-Wales this weekend and one of the headline battles will be for the 2026 British Clubman Enduro Championship.
O’Connell (Rieju) leads the standings by six points from closest rival Josh Lister (Husqvarna). Stanley Cubbon (Beta) is third – a further 19 points back.
With 40 points up for grabs across both days, it’s all to play for in Wales.
For 18-year-old O’Connell, being in title contention has already exceeded expectations as he only made his Enduro debut in 2024 before contesting a handful of British rounds last season.
“I really didn’t expect to be in this position at the start of the season,” the Derbyshire rider explained. “I didn’t think I’d be battling for race wins but I think my consistency has helped me get there. It’s been a very positive season for me and I’m thrilled to be where I am.”
Two wins and a string of podium finishes have underlined that consistency, while O’Connell credits his hard work away from events as one of the contributing factors to his new-found success.
“I’ve been training really hard in the gym with my coach Kieran from Fit Limited,” he said. “He helps me get to where I need to be on the bike and I think that helps massively. It makes a big difference when you can trust your fitness and endurance.”
With only two rounds left, O’Connell – who has ambitions to graduate to the Expert class in 2027 – is acutely aware of what’s at stake this weekend. He insists his approach will be simple as he bids to secure his first British Championship title.
He said: “I’m just going to ride my own race, take the championship out of my head and see how both of the days go. I don’t want to put any added pressure on myself. I know it will be a tough battle against Josh and the other riders, but my form so far gives me confidence.”
Elsewhere in the EnduroGB field, Jed Etchells (Sherco) and Jack Edmondson (KTM) will go head-to-head for the Elite Championship title. Etchells takes a 16-point lead into the event.
With Nieve Holmes (Sherco) winning the Elite Women crown in Devon last time out, the battle for runner-up spot is on. Rosie Rowett (Rieju) and Elizabeth Tett (TM) both missed the last event and may not appear in Mid Wales either. If that’s the case, New Zealander and Triumph employee, Charlotte Knight has an opportunity to move ahead of them both.
The Expert class title will be a three-way battle between Kris Price (Beta), Josh Lawer (KTM) and Henry Life (KTM). All three men are separated by 30 points.
The race for the Expert over 35 title will also be a three-way duel. Will Keenan (GasGas), Michael Williams (Husqvarna) and Richard Ely (Triumph) are all in contention.
With the Clubman Women title going to Ceri Wyn Jones in Devon, all eyes will be on the race for the respective Over 40 and Over 50 titles this weekend.
Shane Tasker (Triumph), Gavin Hunt (Husqvarna), Alex Pringle (Sherco) and Anthony Trawford (GasGas) remain in the Over 40 fight, while it’s a straight shoot-out between Jason Rees (Husqvarna) and Karl Greenall (Triumph) in the Over 50 class. Rees carries a marginal four-point lead into this weekend.
Visit www.acuendurogb.org.uk for the latest coverage during the event.