Local hero Harry Hemingway – Beta will carry the hopes of the White Rose county on his broad shoulders when he makes his third appearance inside Sheffield’s Utilita Arena for the DL12 Indoor Trial V3.0 on Saturday 18th January 2025.
The eighteen-year-old from Leeds, who has just clinched his first adult TrialGB title, has failed to make it beyond the heat stage on his two previous appearances, although this is certainly no disgrace when the opposition he is facing comprises the very best riders on the planet.
Hemingway, FIM Trial3 World Champion in 2022, is one of Britain’s brightest up-and-coming stars and is relishing another opportunity to perform in front of a capacity crowd in Sheffield and compete against riders of the calibre of Spain’s thirty-five-time FIM World Champion Toni Bou who – along with his compatriots Adam Raga, Jaime Busto and Gabriel Marcelli and British rider Toby Martyn – has signed up for January’s event.
“I’ve ridden every edition,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a home event and there is always a lot of support for the local lad so it’s definitely a big thing for me. I’m getting more experience every time I ride that style of section and hopefully in January I can have a proper good go. I absolutely love it! The whole evening from start to finish is mint. It’s something I used to watch as a kid and just being part of it is a really good feeling.”
Now coming to the end of his second season contesting the FIM Trial2 World Championship, Hemingway’s fortunes have fluctuated this year although his second-placed finish at the TrialGP of Belgium in mid-July is a good indication of his exciting potential.
“Trial2 is so close and competitive. There are so many good riders who are capable of winning and one small mistake will bite you hard. I started off [this season] just feeling my way a bit, but now I feel more confident in myself and I’m genuinely starting to feel much happier with my riding.”
Coming from a family so steeped in Trial history, it is no surprise that Hemingway has assessed the challenge that lies ahead of him in January with a cool and clinical eye.
“In general, I will need to ride more controlled and calmer. All the sections are doable, but they are obviously above the level I normally ride at in Trial2. It would be my dream to make the final at Sheffield, but I know it will be a very difficult task.
“There will be a lot of pressure, but to be fair I’m not that bad at dealing with it – I’m just happy and excited to be out there riding my bike. It’s only when they call your name out and the curtain opens that it really hits you and only experience can get you used to that.”
Tickets for the DL12 Indoor Trial V3.0 on Saturday 18th January 2025 at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield, are selling fast. To make sure of the best seats in house and to book one of the limited upgrades – which include the Dougie Lampkin course tour – click here