Bikes, Ballet and Baselayers – Meet Trials Starlet Sophie Ferguson!

Combining exceptional balance, perfect poise and flawless positioning, Northern Ireland’s Sophie Ferguson is an accomplished ballerina, and it’s those exact attributes honed in the dance hall that are particularly beneficial when she’s pursuing her other passion – Motorcycle Trials.
 
The 15-year-old Zerofit Ambassador has enjoyed a stellar year in 2025, making her World Championship debut, as well as becoming the AMCA British Girls Senior Champion, and a runner-up in the prestigious FIM European International Women's Cup. 

 

‘I've danced ballet since I was really young and still do today. People may think it’s an odd combination with the motorbikes, but I enjoy it and I think there are a lot of things that cross over that are beneficial to my Trials world,’ said Sophie, who has been wearing Zerofit baselayers during the current season.
 
In Trials, riders aim to navigate a course with various obstacles and hazards – the winner is the athlete with the fewest amount of penalty points across all the sections, and it’s yet another area of motorcycling where Zerofit is aiming to be the baselayer choice of competitors. 

Sophie is Zerofit's first female off-road athlete

‘Sports marketing is a huge part of the Zerofit business, and in motorcycling we have more than 80 elite riders in short course, road racing and off-road with the likes of Scott Redding, Glenn Irwin and Dan Mundell,’ explained Michael Morton, Zerofit MD.
 
‘But while it’s fantastic to have these guys at the very top of the game, we are also totally committed to having younger riders come on board, such as Scott McPhee and Peter Willis in the British Talent Cup. We are extremely proud to add Sophie to the roster of aspiring athletes, our first female off-road rider on the books. She has already proven herself in competition as well as being a superb ambassador for the brand,’ Mr Morton added.

Sophie combining the Heatrub Move Baselayer and Performance Move Hoodie

Sophie’s journey in the world of motorcycling started aged just seven when an opportunity to jump on a bike at a friend’s house presented itself. The Belfast youngster did not hesitate and the biking bug bit bigtime.
 
‘I was hooked on being on a motorbike from that very first day. I'm not sure if I had or have a particular physical talent for it, it's just something that I've always enjoyed. My biggest "talent" that has got me this far is probably my approach or attitude towards it. I've never been scared of trying things and either failing or losing in the process of learning, said Sophie.

The Perfect Dad-Daughter Team

Encouraged by her Dad Peter - who acts as her official Minder when competing - a then 10-year-old Sophie competed in the ACU British Ladies and Girls Championship round at Hookwood, a venue known for its challenging terrain.
 
‘It was a bit of an eye-opening experience in terms of the level of sections I had to ride and the level of the other riders there. Top riders like Emma Bristow - who is now retired as a 10 times World Champion in Trials – was competing, and I was right in amongst it,’ said Sophie.

Younger brother James also lending his support

The race paddock or ‘travelling circus’ as it’s been described on more than one occasion to Zerofit is a close-knit environment, and this is also the case in Sophie’s area of expertise.

‘Trials is quite a family orientated sport, especially at grass roots level, so my Dad has been the biggest influence on my career so far. I am lucky that I've met and know so many nice people in the sport from all over the world. I really appreciate people that are genuine and kind at the events, and someone like Alicia Robinson - who has been riding at the top level of British, European and World Championships - has always been so supportive towards me.’

2025 has been an incredible year in Sophie's Trials world

As for every young athlete, finding the balance between sport and school is no easy task and with GCSEs to take in 2026, and Sophie is determined to continue to do her best inside and outside of the classroom even if the demands of travel are tough.
 
‘It honestly is tricky and takes a bit of effort to be organised. I actually haven’t practiced a lot this year, although not because of school, so I've been surprised at how well I've ended up finishing. The lack of practice probably has helped me stay on top of school work a bit better, but I need to get back into practicing more moving forwards.' 

Practice makes perfect back in Belfast

‘At a British Championship level, it's not too bad with school because the events are purely at the weekends, but internationally the events start with sign on, scrutineering and practice before the weekend and it can be difficult to get home in time for school on the Monday,’ she added.
 
In addition to her success this calendar year, Sophie has previously won the ACU British Girls B and C Class, and in January was named as the Young Rider Of the Year award at the Irish Motorbike Awards. She is also the first female from Northern Ireland to win multiple British Championships in any form of motorsport. 

Zerofit getting the thumbs up from Sophie

With the 2025 season completed, Sophie's focus is already turning to the challenges ahead in the new year.

‘My first goal is always to have fun and learn in 2026, but I’d like to ride at both a British and International level again. I’m waiting to see how the calendars clash with school, but whatever championship(s) I end up in, I would like to push for regular podiums.’

Trials demands both physical and mental strength

With many riders starting out in many forms of motorcycling at an even younger age than Sophie, we asked her what has been the best bit of advice she’s had along the way which she could pass on to a younger rider?
  
‘The funniest piece of advice came from my Dad at the first round of the Ladies and Girls Championship this season. I had a very unlucky ride in a section where a flag fell over of its own accord and it really annoyed me that I had rode it clean and still got the maximum penalty of a five.

Onwards to 2026, Team Ferguson

‘Anyway, Dad stopped me before I got to the next section and informed me that 150 people a year die from coconuts falling on their head. I think his point was not to dwell on the negative, it was so random that it worked. I rode with a smile after it and I won comfortably.’
 
Which as all Dads of daughters know, Dad Advice is (normally) always good advice! Go well next season, Sophie!