YOUNG trials pretender Jack Spencer gets his British Championship campaign underway on Sunday in the opening round of the British Championships in the Lake District.

He begins his big in fine form having enjoyed a strong year in 2013 where he had a number of fine results.

The Bacup ace finished second overall in the Extra A class in 2011, a series which operates one level below the elite category but the two have merged together this time around meaning he will face competition the very best riders.

But the 23-year-old continues to set his targets high.

He said: “I am looking for a top 10 performance. I have done ok in the past but it will be a tough test with a top field.

“I will just have to do my best and see where it takes me but hopefully I can do well.”

Spencer has travelled to compete in Europe this year for a continental side which he believes has stood him in good stead for the weekend event.

He added: “I have been given some extra backing and that has allowed me to plan trips to Belgium to compete there later in the year.

“It is something that will help me out, they are covering the costs of getting the bike across and that way I can look after myself and it helps keep the costs down.

“I don’t know whether it will lead to something or not in the future, we will just have to see.”

The East Lancashire star also impressed in the Richmond Motor Club Scott Trial at the back end of last season. He claimed an almost unheard of top 25 performance earning him a silver spoon for his efforts.

Spencer added: “I was so happy to get a Scott Silver Spoon. It is a prestigious thing to have and it was my first year there so I am pleased to have done that. I was also the top Lancashire rider so it was a good event for me. The top 26 get a silver spoon and I was 24th which I was really pleased with.

“It was a really difficult competition because there is a speed element to it as well which is unusual so it is not just based on the traditional trial element.”

Motorcycle trials, also termed observed trials, is a non-speed event on specialised motorcycles designed to be ridden standing up.

The event is split into sections where a competitor rides through an obstacle course while attempting to avoid touching the ground with the feet.

The obstacles in the course may be of natural or constructed elements.

In all sections, regardless of content, the designated route is carefully contrived to test the skill of the rider.