In the heart of the picturesque Eden Valley Barina Homestead, the Vine Inn Barossa 2023 Australian Trial Championships, powered by GASGAS, unfolded in all its thrilling glory. Saturday was a hot event for competitors at a peak of 33 degrees, but Sunday brought some much needed cooler weather.
In the fiercely contested Trial 1, Kyle Middleton, the champion asserted his dominance yet again, claiming his remarkable 11th Australian Trial Championship victory on his TRRS 312. Displaying exceptional skill and determination, Middleton amassed a mere 39 points over the weekend. Not far behind was Connor Hogan, astride his GASGAS 300, with 49 points. Chris Bayles showcased unwavering resolve, overcoming challenges with 95 points.
The Women’s class was won by Kaitlyn Cummins, navigating her TRRS 250 with finesse, securing victory with 36 points. Closely followed by Michelle Coleman on her Sherco 300 on 39 points, and Jenna Lupo (54) on her TRRS 250.
In the Youth category, William Thornbury on his GASGAS 300 showcased exceptional talent with a total of 31 points followed by Cameron Judd on 40 points and Matthew Herrmann on 43 points.
The Junior class saw Finn Pearce on his Beta 125 with 26 points, trailed closely by Jack Salter on 29 points and Banjo Hannaford on 50 points. Lucinda Cowan emerged as the star in the Junior Women category, demonstrating unparalleled skill on her Beta 125 with 86 points. Holly Wilson (124 points) and Millie Lockhart (158 points) rounded out the podium.
In the Junior 7 to under 13 group, Bailey Irrgang (5), Jack Walling (9), and Mitchell Teale (15) exhibited remarkable talent, promising a bright future for the sport. Asha Nuttall clinched victory with 87 points in the Junior Girls 7 to Under 13 displaying exceptional talent. Cadence Long (212) placed second and Georgia Beatty (251) rounded out the top trio on her Electric Motion E-Pure Lite. Hector Pinto won the Junior 7 to Under 11 class on 62 points on his Electric Motion EPure Race, followed closely by Rhys Brian (73) on his Oset 24R and Theo Magnall (85).
The Masters category witnessed fierce competition, with Grant Morris (41), Dean Nuttall (44), and Josh Lewis (47) battling it out for the top 3 with only a few points between them. Toby Coleman dominated the Veterans 40 to 55 category, amassing clean scorecards on Saturday and only 2 points on Sunday. Andrew Trezise (15) and Zak Lunn (33) rounded out the younger veterans class. Veterans 55 Plus was Martin O’Connor (19), David Goldsmith (20) and Steve Johnson (24).
Trial 2 Warren Laugesen (NZ) triumphed with 29 points on his Beta.
Trial 3 Joshua Austin led with 99 points riding GASGAS.
Trial 4 Kalam Langworthy dominated with 37 points on his Beta.
Trial 5 Darryl Boorer scored 18 points riding a Montesa.
Trial 5 Women Rosie Viney clinched victory with 33 points on her Beta.
Sidecar rider and passenger Justin Gough and Maurice Blanchard displayed unmatched synchronicity, seizing victory with 74 points. 7 sidecars competed in the 50th Sidecar Championships, including 4 Montesa motorcycle sidecar setups. Stephen Rees and Melissa Paunola pushed their Beta 250 over the Barossa Ranges terrain for 85 points and Glenn Ursino/Kevin Reynolds placed third on 190 points.
In the Classic category, Jacob Whittle (only competitor who rode clean all weekend), Timothy Lewis (2), and Paul Sens (7) all rode vintage CZ motorcycles to victory, reminding everyone of the sport's rich heritage.
It’s important to take a moment to commend the Keyneton MCC, the landowner, the observers standing in the hot sun and all of the workers behind the scenes who made this weekend of trials possible.
2024 Championships moves to Victoria
As the dust settles on the 2023 event, the Australian Trial Championships moves to Bendigo in 2024 with Victoria hosting the championships. Whilst no date has been confirmed it is often held in the September/October school holidays, keep an eye on Trials Australia for dates and an official announcement.
An outline of the podium winners (See our other article for scored for all riders):
Trial 1
- Kyle Middleton | TRRS 312 | 39 points
- Connor Hogan | GASGAS 300 | 49 points
- Chris Bayles | TRRS 312 | 95 points
Women
- Kaitlyn Cummins | TRRS 250 | 36 points
- Michelle Coleman | Sherco 300 | 39 points (Day 1 was 5 points, Day 2 was 34 points
- Jenna Lupo | TRRS 250 | 54 points
Youth
- William Thornbury (AUS) | GASGAS 300 | 31 points
- Cameron Judd (NZ) | Beta 300 | 40 points
- Matthew Herrmann | Electric Motion Comp | 43 points
Junior
- Finn Pearce (NZ) | Beta 125 | 26 points
- Jack Salter (AUS) | GASGAS 125 | 29 points
- Banjo Hannaford | Beta 125 | 50 points
Junior Women
- Lucinda Cowan | Beta 125 | 86 points
- Holly Wilson | Sherco 125 | 124 points
- Millie Lockhart | GASGAS 125 | 158 points
Junior 7 to under 13
- Bailey Irrgang | 5 points | Sherco
- Jack Walling | 9 points | GASGAS
- Mitchell Teale (AUS) | 15 points | GASGAS
- Zack Furniss (NZ) | 23 points | Beta
Junior Girls 7 to under 13
- Asha Nuttall | 87 points
- Cadence Long | 212 points
- Georgia Beatty | 251 points
Junior 7 to under 11
- Hector Pinto | 62 points
- Rhys Brian | 73 points
- Theo Magnall | 85 points
Masters
- Grant Morris | 41 points
- Dean Nuttall | 44 points
- Josh Lewis | 47 points
Masters Women 35 Plus
- Rachael Nuttall | 175 points
Veterans 40 to 55
- Toby Coleman | 2 points
- Andrew Trezise | 15 points
- Zak Lunn | 33 points
Veterans 55 Plus
- Martin O’Connor | 19 points
- David Goldsmith | 20 points
- Steve Johnson | 24 points
Sidecar
- Justin Gough and his passenger Maurice Blanchard | 74 points
- Stephen Rees and Melissa Paunola | 85 points
- Glenn Ursino and passenger Kevin Reynolds | 190 points
Trial 2
- Warren Laugesen (NZ) | 29 points | Beta
- Luke Anderson (AUS) | 57 points | Sherco
- Bradley Bryant | 88 points | TRRS
Trial 3
- Joshua Austin | 99 points | GASGAS
- Jack White | 103 points | Scorpa
- Lillie Yiatrou | 121 points | Vertigo
Trial 4
- Kalam Langworthy | 37 points | Beta
- Trent Long | 57 points | GASGAS
- David Grice | 77 points | Vertigo
Trial 5
- Darryl Boorer | 18 points | Montesa
- Garry Connell | 30 points | Vertigo
- Martin Whitaker | 40 points | GASGAS
Trial 5 Women
- Rosie Viney | 33 points | Beta
- Melissa Bruce | 87 points | Beta
- Alysha Lunn | 197 | Beta
Twinshock
- Matthew Hannaford (AUS) | 50 points
- Peter Spencer | 102 points | Honda 250
- Andrew Carpenter | 109 points | Honda 250
- Paul Jackson (NZ) | 150 points | Yamaha 175
Classic
- Jacob Whittle | 0 points | CZ 250
- Timothy Lewis | 2 points | CZ 250
- Paul Sens | 7 points | CZ 175