EMMA BRISTOW

Wow, a Ladies column in a motorcycle magazine and trials at that! I am sure I do not need to introduce myself but I am a professional trials rider with the Sherco factory team. In 2013 I achieved some of my ambitions by taking a full house of wins on my way to my first Ladies British Championship title and won my first World round. The ultimate goal is to be the 2014 Ladies World Trials Champion and through my new column I will keep you up to speed during another hectic year.

Trials riding is my first love where motorcycles are concerned but a few of you will have seen me in action in the world of Super Enduro towards the end of last year. Enduro is something I have fancied trying for a while and with the support of MRS, the UK Sherco importers, I decided to enter the first round of the Super Enduro World Championship at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

I only had a couple of weeks to prepare and ‘Race’ night soon came around. I was genuinely ‘buzzing’ as I waited on the start gate. When it dropped I got boxed in on the first corner but still gave it my all, trying to push to the front to fight with Laia Sanz for the win. I was maybe a little too nice on the night and despite a few crashes, second on the podium was an excellent result.

Round two was in Poland and resulted in one of the biggest crashes I have ever had on a motorcycle! I maybe over trained for the event but I still felt confident of a good result. Once again I did not have the best of starts but was pushing through the pack trying to chase the leaders when I lost the front wheel over a log section of the course which pitched me over the handlebars. I have seen the crash on the television and did not realise how big it was. I picked the Sherco up but the handlebars had been pushed back, making the machine very difficult to control but I still gave it 100% to finish in fourth position.

The final round is in France in February where I will once again give it my all as I challenge for the top honours.

I had a small rest over the Christmas period with my partner James and my family. January will be all about training and preparing for the new 2014 season as I continue to go onwards and upwards in the tough world of offroad motorcycling.

Speak soon. Emma.

“I was maybe a little too nice on the night and despite a few crashes, second on the podium was an excellent result.”