The opening round of the First Choice Windows 2009 championship, promoted by the IOM Youth Trials Club, was held at a soggy Arrasey Plantation yesterday.

Three long laps of 11 very testing sections were laid out for the A and B youth classes along with the Adult expert and clubman riders.

Josh Brain set the standard in the A class on the new Gasser with a very accomplished return of 25 marks, leading from start to finish, ahead of Jordan Birchall on a similar mount.

Josh, who has been training with Steve Colley recently, is perfectly timing his peak form with the British championship curtain-raiser now just around the corner and junior European and world rounds to look forward to.

B class saw a returning Carl Owen take the win from Oliver Lace, now getting to grips with the ex-Josh Brain Academy Sherco, and a rapidly-emerging Mark Turner on the ex-Jordan Birchall Gasser.

The C class along with the Adult sportsman and Twinshock boys did four laps of eight subs.

C class, now growing in numbers with all of the regular D+ riders making the step up, was taken by 2008 champion Juan Lace from another very talented newcomer Brandon Bailey, who was closely followed by Ben Collins.

Another one that's very difficult to predict at this early stage is the D class and another close battle saw Sophie-May Smith take the win from Thomas Knight, with Max Lewthwaite rounding off the podium.

Reigning champ Adam Kelly has chosen to ride out of class this year to stretch himself for a go at the D class British championship.