June 26 2015.


Riders from England, Scotland and Ireland all made the long trip to Italy last weekend to contest a round of their national championship at a meeting which doubled-up as a memorial event for the late Connor Smith.

The now annual occasion was held at the ex-GP track of Cingoli, the venue where the Scottish teenager sadly passed away in 2013 while representing GB in the European Quad of Nations.

In the main championship class, reigning British Under 21 Champion Mark McLernon was the star performer, securing seventh overall over the two legs, with Murray Graham taking ninth and Emma McQuad, having a sadly all-too rare race these days, in 11th.

The round was won by rising Portuguese star Silva Joao, from Italians Nicola Montalbini and Andrea Cesari Jnr.

In the 'Sports' class, on-form Mark Hadden was the star, grabbing a podium place in third, while Kevin Shepherd was fourth, Adam Robinson ninth and Mark Wilson 11th.

The riders were supported by a large group of well-known faces from the quad family, including Connor's father Bill and sister Taylor, as well as John Watson, David Wray, Bobby Graham and Karl Robinson amongst others.


Pictured: The British contingent at Cingoli receive their trophies and the applause of the Italian crowd. Picture by Gary MacBeth