The 2025/26 ASMK season roared into action on Sunday, 19th October, with the opening round of the National Trials Championship held at Tas-Sagħjtar Quarry. The event marked the first competitive outing of the new ASMK calendar, setting the tone for what promises to be another thrilling season of motorsport.
Despite heavy overnight rainfall leaving the quarry’s rocky surface slick and treacherous, 16 riders braved the challenging terrain, tackling six technical sections, each ridden three times. The conditions tested riders’ skill, balance, and precision to the limit.
In the Top Class, Julian Scicluna delivered an exceptional performance, navigating the slippery sections with confidence to claim victory on 18 penalty points. He was followed by Carl Sammut with 47 points, while James Zahra completed the podium in third with 82 points.
The Class B category saw Emma Said (Beta) ride with composure and consistency to take first place with just 6 penalty points. Matteo Scicluna (Beta) finished second on 18 points, while Ben Zahra (TRRS) claimed third with 39 points. Newcomer Nathan Abela (TRRS) impressed in his debut appearance, finishing fourth with 56 points, showing promising potential for the season ahead.
In the Open Class, Krista Scicluna (Oset) produced a dominant performance to secure the win with only 4 penalty points, finishing well ahead of Kenzy Bonello (TRRS), who placed second on 14 points. Leia Pearl Butler (Oset) followed in third with 27 points, while Nathan Camilleri (Beta) finished fourth on 45 points. Both Butler and Camilleri were competing in their first event since promotion from the Junior class last season.
The Junior category once again showcased the future stars of Maltese trials riding. Luca Dimech (TRRS) claimed top honours with 15 penalty points, narrowly edging out Leah Zahra (Oset), who also finished on 15 points, with clean sections deciding the class winner. Tommy Bonnici (TRRS) completed the podium on 19 points, followed closely by Zven Borg (Oset) with 22 points and Harry Micallef with 45 points.
The ASMK extended its gratitude to Blokrete Limited for providing the Tas-Sagħjtar Quarry venue, and thanked Robert Caruana and Brandon Cassar for their vital assistance in marshalling and ensuring the smooth running of the event.
The National Trials Championship continues with Round 2 scheduled for 9th November 2025, with the venue to be announced shortly.
Meanwhile, attention now turns to the ASMK Complex in Ta’ Qali, where preparations are underway for the opening round of the 2025/26 National Motocross Championship. The event will take place on Sunday, 2nd November 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m., marking the next major milestone in the new ASMK season.
