Hannah Styles
It’s always good to meet people in life with ambition, and for Hannah Styles, she has her eye on the 2019 FIM Ladies Trial2 World Championship. Starting in the sport of motorcycle trials at a very young age, she tasted success before moving into the fast and furious world of Enduro in 2011 in her teenage years. Once again finding success, her motorcycle career was put on hold in 2014 when she was diagnosed with a rare medical condition. While a medical team analysed her condition, she was placed under the care of a Rheumatologist and following a period of treatment and medical attention, Hannah decided to return to her grassroots in motorcycle trials in 2017. Hannah had always enjoyed trials, and with a new focus, her return was rewarded in 2018 with success in both the national and international trials. Following a tough training schedule starting in early 2019, we caught up with this ambitious young lady from Derbyshire.
Why motorcycles and not horses?
We grew up on my grandparents’ farm, and when you’re young, you have no fear and try anything. We had quads, forklifts, tractors, diggers, threewheelers, banger cars and motorcycles to play on. One day around Christmas I was let loose on my brother Adam’s motorcycle. I soon found the gears and that was it; I spent the whole day riding around the fields with a watchful eye from my parents Sandra and Jim, and of course my brother. I learned quite quickly at a young age that you can put a motorcycle in the shed and lock the door. You can’t do that with a horse.
At a very young age, you obtained sponsorship to further your ambition?
Around the age of 10, I moved onto a 125cc Sherco from a Gas Gas 80cc, and this then led to a close relationship with Malcolm and Rhoda Rathmell from Sherco.
Back then Graham Jarvis was still one of the main men in the trials world, and I was fortunate enough to have the chance to spend time with him, building up my confidence and focusing on winning the Girls B class British and European championships.
A British Trials Champion at 11 years old, tell us more.
In my early years in The British Trials Championship, I had a really close connection with Donna Fox. She used to pick me up in the school holidays, and we had many a sleepover in her van at the practice areas we loved the most. I used to be a very nervous competitor when I was younger, but after some hard work with Donna through many school holidays, we started to reach a good level of riding and confidence. Once I got over the nerves, I was fine and loved every moment of it, I never thought at the age of 11 I would be B class girl’s champion.
Wanting to further your ambition and went after the European Girls title
We have travelled to so many places for trials competitions, and many special memories have been made. Riding abroad is different from riding in the UK; the views, people and atmospheres are just beautiful. The locals celebrated trials coming to their village, and some of the places we have visited have the best trials terrain. Italy was my favourite because we were the British team on tour. There was myself, Emma Bristow, Becky Cook, Donna Fox, Joanne Coles, Jack Challoner, Jonny Walker and many others. It was one big family, and we were all there for the same reason, to ride trials. I remember Ripoll in Spain well, as this was my win that secured the European Girls Championship. The Trials Des Nations in Tolmezzo, Italy, was such a beautiful Italian town and they celebrated the trial, it was very special to me, and I felt privileged to be part of it.
How did you get on with your education while riding in trials?
I went to Lady Manners School in Bakewell, and when I was there, I enjoyed it, but not all the time. I was stubborn, but I buckled down to learn when I needed to, but I enjoyed sports and cross country running. Hockey was my favourite because my competitive side came out, maybe too much sometimes! I also enjoyed pottery classes. These classes allowed me to switch off and calm down after a busy weekend or weeknights spent practising trials. They were an incredibly supportive school and helped develop pupils in sports or pupils who had a natural talent in a given discipline. They’d frequently raise money towards helping young athletes who attended the school and offered the option of dropping a subject to use the gym.
With success between 2008 and 2011 in trials, why the move to Enduro?
In 2010 I rode for the Great Britain Trials des nations Team in a town called Tolmezzo in Italy. I joined the team with Emma Bristow and Becky Cook. We had a close battle with Spain and finished second just five marks off the win at the end of the 2010 season. Throughout the winter months between 2010-2011, I needed something new and different to focus on. I hadn’t lost my love for trials, but it just didn’t feel the same to me for some reason, and I needed a break from it. Looking back at it now, I am pleased I listened to my feelings even though I do think if I had just battled through it in trials, I may have been up there with Emma Bristow by now, but as I say, I have no regrets.
I moved into Enduro, and Graham Jarvis got me a ride with Midwest Racing on Husaberg. I collected my 125cc and soon got the bug for it. Those butterflies on the start line were the best feeling; I became addictive in a way. Somehow I managed to be the quickest off the start line at nearly every event! I did Enduro for two and a half years, finishing third overall in the British Sprint and British Enduro Championships. Even though I really enjoyed Enduro, I still missed trials, but I wasn’t ready to return. Enduro did me good and helped get that fire back in my belly that we all need in life.
Tell us about your health problems in 2014.
It took a while and several doctors to establish that I was actually suffering from the condition Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is a chronic condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed. I had suffered from chronic back and hip pain since I was nine years old, but no diagnosis had been made until I was 21.
Under the care of my Rheumatologist, I started treatment which was a strict routine of diet, exercise and injections. With hard work and a lot of determination, I slowly began to improve and manage the condition. I felt that my life was coming back together. Sometimes I feel like I don’t want to talk about it, but everyone in life is affected by a form of arthritis, and now I help universities around the UK with research into treatment, to help people like myself have a more comfortable future by receiving the correct treatment.
Why a return to trials?
I have always had a strong passion for trials, but when you are younger you put more pressure on yourself and everything is so serious, which hugely affects your riding. I struggled with this a lot, and when I had a break from trials due to my illness, it was my goal to return with an entirely different attitude. My parents gave a lot of support, and I couldn’t have done it without them by my side.
Over the years I’ve made many friends all over Europe and the UK, which goes to show how comfortable the trials world is to be involved in. Everyone knows each other, and I missed the banter and laid back atmosphere of the trials world. Being older and wiser certainly made things easier, learning to relax more and not to take bad results to heart and just to ride has been key. A fresh start on the Spanish Vertigo machine has made it exciting, and the motivation is there to try harder for improvements on my results. There is something special about trials; you can concentrate on what’s in front of you and switch off from stress and many other problems in life. One thing I have always been told, if you have a natural talent, then use it.
Who is your new sponsor Thorneycroft Solicitors?
Towards the end of 2018, I was approached by Thorneycroft Solicitors, a Macclesfield based law firm, who were looking to support a motorcyclist from the local area. The firm has a strong passion for motorcycles and had already formed a relationship with British Superbike rider Christian Iddon. They reached out to me as they were interested in continuing to give back to the motorcycle community by supporting another motorcyclist competing in sports their clients love. I met with Mark Belfield, Lisa Smith and Mary Lomas from the Catastrophic Injury team, who I know have a great reputation for helping motorcyclists who have been involved in lifechanging motorcycle accidents, and we quickly formed a comfortable friendship.
I chose Thorneycroft Solicitors as a sponsor as they showed a real appetite for the sport from the beginning and were keen to help me fulfil my potential. Mark, Lisa, Mary and the wider firm as a whole, have shown me a lot of support already and have helped me prepare for the season ahead. I’m looking forward to the rest of 2019, where I’ll hopefully be attending some motorcycle shows with the Thorneycroft Catastrophic Injury team, and with their support and the support of my other sponsors during the coming season, I’ll be able to achieve all my goals.