Part 2 -Trials des Nations 2025 Team Ireland
TDN 2025 Team Managers Report - Andy Perry
The 2025 Trial des Nations took place in Tolmezzo, North east Italy on 21/09/25
The team consisted of three riders, Stuart McClurg, Scott Callaghan and Cillian Doyle.
Cillian replaced Sean Doyle who had to pull out of the team just two weeks before the team had to pack the bikes in the van for health reasons.
The two team minders were Josh Hanlon and Jonny Lunney.
Team Manager - Andy Perry
FMN representative - Phillip McClurg
Transport team - Nicola and Stephen Coulter
The team left Ireland on Friday 19th September via a flight from Dublin to Bergamo. Hire cars were collected and driven by Phillip McClurg and Ken Perry. Ken paid his own way but was a great help to the team over the course of the whole trip.
The team arrived at the trial location some 4.5hrs drive away from the airport around 7pm on the Friday evening.
The team van with bikes etc left Ireland on Tuesday 16th and arrived at the team hotel around 6pm on the Friday having travelled via boat from Rosslare to Cherbourg and a huge 1250 mile drive to the hotel.
Saturday started the process of setting up.
Stephen, Nicola and myself got breakfast around 5.30am then headed to Parc Ferme.
Each team is given an allocated place to set up their camp. We organised our equipment and set up for the start of the organised schedule which starts on the Saturday at 8am
Schedule
8am - 9.30am for Parc Ferme access.
9am - 9.30am first officials meeting
11am -12.30pm Sign on and technical control
12.30pm - 2.30pm practice
2.30pm - second officials meeting
2.30pm - 5.30pm section inspection
4.30pm - 5.30pm Third officials meeting
6.00pm - Official TDN rider presentation ceremony
As you can see, Saturday was an action packed day, starting at 9am we queued for technical control then for scrutiny of machines and equipment. This was followed by an allotted time allowance for practice, then on to look at the sections and finish for 6pm followed by team presentation in the town with 3 officials meetings for myself sprinkled between the action which concluded a busy day around 8pm.
Sunday and the team start time was 9.16am, all team members must be at the start and ready to go 15mins before the start time.
The team worked very well together and I am very happy with how every member of the team conducted themselves.
I’ll let you read the riders blogs for how the event went for them!
Results: We finished 12th out of 17 teams.
The team worked hard all day but simply didn’t really get into a great flow with just too many 5s which ultimately and sadly lead to the teams poorest result to date.
On reflection, I appreciate that Cillian was thrown in at the deep end after Sean pulled out just two weeks before the bikes left and had no proper time to prepare, despite this I do feel he tried his very best.
Scott had many great riders and as it was his first time on the adult team it was fair to say it was a huge step up from the challenge team course which he had previously competed on.
Stuart showed his confidence and ability and led the team by example as he rode the sections first all day. He showed his experience and worked hard to keep the team motivated and on track.
How could we improve!
There are many ways in which this result could be improved and I will forward my recommendations to the commission in due course.
I would like to say that all three riders tried their best on the day.
The two minders Josh Hanlon and Jonny Lunney done a fantastic job and should be commended for their efforts in the 30 degree heat.
Phillip McClurg helped me with various rolls and was very helpful in every aspect.
Phillip is very knowledgeable and experienced and helps bring a great sense of balance to the team.
Special thanks must go to Nicola and Stephen Coulter who both worked tirelessly to assist the team in every way and went above and beyond for every member of the team.
They not only drive the van out with all the bikes and gear but also act as team hospitality, catering for the needs of the team over the two days as there simply isn’t time for the team to deal with this aspect without support.
Thank’s to David Rodgers for his assistance with the officials process including helping deal with entries and keeping all information flowing via Daire Lowe (MCUI) to me regarding licensing etc.
Thanks to all team members for their hard work and commitment to the team.
I would also like to thank the MRA trials committee, MCI trials committee, MCUI and the trials Commission for their support with the team.
Thanks to everyone who donated towards the Go Fund me fundraising page which raised £480 and thanks to Moto Trial NI who helped raise funds via running an event!
The Moto Trial NI club rounded up the donation to a very generous £1000.
Results
1st USA 7
2nd Japan 11
3rd Germany 11
4th Belgium 36
5th Poland 36
6th Czech Republic 44
7th Australia 49
8th Sweden 74
9th Switzerland 88
10th Austria 89
11th Andorra 104
12th Ireland 120
13th Latvia 159
14th Canada 174
15th Luxembourg 198
16th Portugal 222
17th Greece 278 dsq
My final thanks are to the trials commission for affording me the opportunity to manage the team for the past three years.
Yours in sport,
Andy Perry
