2014 Australian Trials Championships

New South Wales rider, Kyle Middleton, displayed fantastic form to win the Open Solo title at the Australian Moto Trials Championships in Tasmania over the weekend. Victorian rider, Tim Coleman, put in the best performance on Sunday to secure second place Overall with NSW rider, Colin Zarczynski, in third and Tasmanian rider, Chris Bayles, in fourth. The last time Tasmania hosted this event was in 1985 on the north west coast, and this year’s venue at Mt Joy was in excellent shape, with clear blue skies on both days.

Middleton, who was suffering from a shoulder injury, said, “It was a really high pressure event, sections were not easy. We were all close, Colin was right behind me at the start of the day and I got a five which had me worried, but I just pulled it together, kept riding and pulled it off.”

In the Open Women’s class, Michelle Coleman from the ACT rode a clean lap on day two to take the win over NSW rider (and 2013 Women’s champion) Kristie McKinnon. Victorian riders, Brooke Lonie and Ina Halls, finished in third and fourth, respectively. McKinnon, Lonie and Halls represented Australia last month in the Trial des Nations in Andorra where they placed seventh Overall.

NSW expert rider, Jono Chellas, dominated the Youth class both days with Bradley Bryant (Qld) in second and Victorian rider, Zachary Mularczyk, in third. Chellas was the highest ranking 125cc Aussie rider in the Trials World Championship in Maldon, Victoria earlier this year.

The Junior class was tied on day one between the top three riders. After some section changes overnight, Ruben Chadwick from Queensland secured the victory with Qld rider, Thomas Wager, finishing second and South Australian, Connor Hogan, in third.

The President of the Tasmanian Motorcycle Trials Club said, “Spectator numbers were really good and the gate takings were really strong. The general feedback about the event from everyone has been brilliant.”

The Australian Moto Trials Championships will be held in New South Wales next year.

Open Solo Results
1: Kyle Middleton (Gas Gas – NSW) 13 points;
2: Tim Coleman (Beta – Vic) 34 points;
3: Colin Zarczynski (Gas Gas – NSW) 43 points;

Open Women Results
1: Michelle Coleman (Sherco – NSW) 9 points;
2: Kristie McKinnon (Gas Gas – NSW) 13 points;
3: Brooke Lonie (Gas Gas – Vic) 23 points;