OSET Evolution
Back in 2004, when beginning to ride in the sport, no one within the motorcycle trials community would have been encouraged to ride other machines other than a Yamaha PW50, TY80 or Gas Gas 50. Moving a little up the age group, the small and medium Beta machines have also paved the way for the future generation of riders. For decades these motorcycles had kick-started the careers of budding trials enthusiasts and other disciplines alike. However, as with other parts of the motor industry, it was clear to see that electric power had its benefits over petrol counterparts and so the evolution began. The more useable power and silent nature of the electric motorcycles allowed children to find their feet in the back garden without the neighbours going mad from the persistent noise or smell of a small two-stroke engine! As a very young Oliver Smith began showing the capabilities of the OSET on YouTube and in the media, many other young riders and their parents took notice around the globe of what the new electric machines could do for someone so young.
Fast-forward 16 years to the present day and there would be a winner at FIM Trial World Championship level who started on an OSET! Yes, all those years ago after dipping their toes into the world of motorcycle trials, Ben Dignan and Jack Dance were world round winners.
PROGRESS
Ben Dignan, from the highlands of Scotland, took a commanding win in the mountains of Andorra to solidify his place amongst the world’s best riders in the FIM Trial125 class. In Italy, his results were strong enough to get him on the podium again, putting him in third position overall in the FIM Trial125 World Championship. The now factory-supported
Vertigo rider has been making heads turn for years now, slowly working his way up through the youth ranks in the UK before moving up into FIM Trial World Championship and ACU British Championship classes.
In 2019, Ben dominantly took the coveted ACU Trial125 title, winning seven out of eight rounds as well as finishing third in the top European Youth category. Most recently, in the domestic championship, he rode in the highly competitive Trial2 category on his 125 Vertigo finishing a respectable 11th in front of some well-established riders. At just 17 years old, Ben has a bright future in front of him.
PIONEERS
It’s not as if he is alone as an OSET pioneer in the World Championship either. Three other riders have been battling it out for podium glory in the Trial125 class, and have succeeded. Next to take on the world scene is 15-year-old Jack Dance, from the south-east of the country. Jack was one of the very first people in the UK ever to swing a leg over an OSET. At the age of just two, Jack was following his father, Adrian, around events, desperately trying to join in the fun. This is where the OSET range of youth machines has been so successful; it’s the connection between the child and the parent, dad and lad.
So many children want to emulate their parents even at a very young age, and the safety of electric power has allowed this to happen. None of this has changed over time either, as Jack now joins a group of successful youth class riders to have come out of the UK with a staggering four championships titles. He is set to take another title this year as he is on target to win the ACU Trial125 Championship, having won all rounds up to now. Not only did he win his class, but he also
beat the entire Expert class on bigger-capacity machines. He also took one podium position in the FIM Trial125 World Championship in Andorra before finally making the top step on day two in Italy to claim fourth overall in the championship.
Since a young age, and because of his learning on the OSET, Jack has always ridden a higher age group to advance his riding, which makes his achievements even more outstanding.
THE TREND CONTINUES
Finishing fifth in the 2020 FIM Trial125 World Championship and the youngest competitor, at just 14 years old, Harry Hemingway started his trials journey on the OSET16.0 Eco before progressing to the 20.0 Racing model. Since then, Harry has lit the trials world alight. Along with his younger brother, George, they will be looking to be riding in the world championship in 2022.
All the way through the youth ranks and continuing, Harry Hemingway has had a consistent rival and friend who he has been battling since the 2014 ACU D Class championship on their OSET 20.0 Racings which continues to the present day.
Harry Turner, of Buxton, started, as many do, on the 12.5 OSET, with guidance from his father, Paul. Together, these two have travelled the length of the country participating in the British Championship. Using the skills, he learnt from his OSET, Harry has won three championships and many individual wins. Now in his first season of the FIM World Championship, Harry is finding his feet and climbing the standings, finishing the year in 11th position overall after a superb sixth place on day one in Italy.
What has been great to watch has been the progression that these two riders have made together. In each class, they have entered, they have quickly made their way to the top. Eight years after their first title bid they are still exchanging places with each other. As with any great rivalry, this has brought their level of riding to extraordinary heights.
LOOKING AHEAD
Ben, Jack and the two Harrys have paved the way for the upcoming generation of riders who first got going on the OSET electric machines. The group immediately behind them is very promising indeed, with riders such as George Hemingway, Euan Sim, Elliot Smith, Harrison Skelton and many more looking to make their mark like the pioneers before them.
With many of the other motorcycle manufacturers waking up to the idea of the benefits of the electric machines and their ease of use, the door opens are now even wider to embrace riders’ abilities at a very young age. In fact, the way the electric machines work makes for even more understanding of the key element in the trials world, which is throttle control.