Isle of Man Centre solo trials champion Josh Brain is eyeing up a third consecutive win in what is the 59th Manx Two-Day Trial this weekend.
The event has attracted more than 200 competitors, the first of which will get underway at 8am on Saturday morning from Onchan Community Centre.
The solos head south, away from the TT Course, while the sidecars will be going north-east on the first day.
On Sunday, the sidecars will be in the south and the solos largely in the north, finishing in the centre of Douglas at the Arches. The final group for the chairs is on the beach and rocks at the northern end of the promenade.
In addition to Josh Brain, other solo riders to look out for include MRS Sherco’s Ricky Wiggins who comes into the event fresh from a top-10 result at the latest round of the British championship. He is now fully recovered from the serious knee injury he suffered in last year’s Two-Day.
The clubman class is harder to predict with any amount of potential winners. Previous winner Steve Swanson will be in the mix as will Tom Swindlehurst, Nigel Crowther, Michael Clarke and Philip Hanlon.
The sidecar class is wide open. Previously dominant Robin and Sam Luscombe have had a year of semi-retirement from sidecar trials and they will have their work cut out to stay top of the pile.
The local challenge will be headed by Nigel Crellin/Chris Molyneux and Jamie Teare/Jane Birchall, while son and father Rupert and Chris Kimber are still bidding for their first win in the event.
Riders and observers signing on will take place on Friday evening at the Villa Marina, the venue for Sunday evening’s prize presentations.