The Sunbeam MCC is delighted to announce that 21 year old Trials Rider Alice Minta from Telford has been adjudged winner of The Pinhard Trophy for 2024. She has been riding bikes since the age of 4 and this year had outstanding success at National and International level.
Pinhard is one of the UK’s most prestigious awards, the giant 3-gallon cup having been presented since 1950 to the best Under-21 year old sporting motorcyclist competing under ACU or SACU jurisdiction.
Alice is a member of the successful Team GB winners of the Trial des Nations beating the second place Italian team by 30 marks. She is the current Ladies Trial Champion and was best female competitor in the arduous Scott One-Day Trial. In the community she often offers her services to help young riders on training days.
Alice’s response on learning that had won the Pinhard Trophy was “I am truly honoured to receive this award. In the UK we have a wide range of success in Motosport so to be singled out and announced as the winner is honestly unbelievable. I am very proud of my success over the last year, to not only represent Great Britain, but win the Trial des Nations for 2 years in a row is a very special achievement for me. It certainly wouldn’t be possible without the support of all my family, friends and sponsors who have been behind me every step of the way. Throughout my season I’ve found it just as important to find time to support upcoming women’s talent, and with the help of Belle trailers I hope to continue this in the future. I would like to thank my club South Shropshire MCC for putting me forward for this prestigious award, and to the Sunbeam Club for continuing to present such a special award for the motorcycle community.”
Previous winners are a list of motorcycling greats over the last 70 years who have excelled in all spheres of the sport including Mike Hailwood, Jeff Smith, Bill Martin, Roy Peplow, Dan Shorey, Scott Redding, Alexz Wigg and a host of others who have gone on to be national and international household names. Last year’s winner was fellow Trials Rider Jamie Galloway.
Sunbeam MCC awards the trophy in memory of Frederick William Pinhard who died in 1948 whilst serving as Secretary of the Club. Judges were editors of leading motorcycle periodicals, General Secretary of the ACU, and 3 officials appointed by Sunbeam MCC.