ALMOST 300 riders are expected to take part in the Manx National Two Day Trial event in August.
The event, in its 56th year, will take place on August 27 and 28 – the weekend before the practice and race weeks of the Manx Grand Prix.
This year organisers have made some subtle changes to the event following feedback from the competitors in previous years.
Andrew Cubbon, the press officer for the event, said: "Previously riders were completing each day's sections in something like nine hours and the feedback we were getting was that they felt this was too long.
"We were told riders were coming with their friends and families and wanted time to socialise at the end of the day as well as an opportunity to look round the Island or watch some of the Manx Grand Prix practices.
"Consequently we have taken their wishes into consideration and this year's trial will take between seven and seven and a half hours to complete each day.
"We will still have about 40 sections on the Saturday and again on the Sunday but with the overall route being shorter. Where we might have had three sections in one area previously we are now looking to have some larger groups to cater for spectators and those who are following their own riders around the trial.
"We are not changing what the Manx is all about - just making some positive changes based on what we have been told. We want the trial to be a highlight for everyone so we will do whatever we can to make it so.
"We hope by introducing these changes that those people who might have been put off in the past by the length of the day will come back to enjoy a great couple of days on their bike."
One of the attractions of the Manx National Two Day Trial is the diversity of the terrain that riders face. They encounter everything from slate quarries, moorland streams and muddy glens.
There is 275 places for solo riders on the trial and there is still time to book a place.
Andrew continued: "We will be delighted to welcome any rider of any standard to our event. It is aimed largely at a broader section of the trials fraternity, the guys lower down the field if you like, and our objective is to give them a great weekend of sport.
"The Scottish Six Day Trial has just celebrated its 100th anniversary and I would say to anyone who maybe didn't get an entry into that, think about the Manx National and, if you haven't tried it before, I am certain you will enjoy it."
For more information visit www.manx2day.com.
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