The 2026 Scottish Six Days Trial delivered one of the most dramatic finales in recent memory as Adam Raga survived a relentless challenge from George Hemingway to secure victory in Fort William after six brutal days and 168 sections across the Highlands.
After arriving at the final day tied on penalties with George Hemingway, the pressure was fully on the former world champion. For the first time all week, Raga looked vulnerable. And for a brief moment during Saturday’s closing lap through Lower Fassfern, Upper Fassfern, Drum Fada and the legendary Ben Nevis group, it looked as though the SSDT crown was slipping away.
But champions respond when it matters most.
Raga kept his composure during the closing sections while George Hemingway’s costly five-mark mistake changed the complexion of the event completely. The Spaniard eventually sealed the win on just 10 marks lost for the entire week, an astonishing performance considering the scale and difficulty of the terrain.
A Final Day Full of Pressure
The final route around Fort William was classic SSDT drama. Riders tackled the demanding hazards of Lower Fassfern, Upper Fassfern, Drum Fada, Trotters Burn, Achintee, Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis and Town Hall Brae with the overall lead hanging in the balance.
After five days of relentless competition, only a handful of marks separated the leading contenders, and every single dab suddenly carried championship-level consequences.
George Hemingway had been sensational all week. The young Brit entered Saturday level on penalties with Raga after a remarkable Day 5 ride that completely transformed the event. Early on the final day, Hemingway briefly moved into the outright lead as pressure mounted on the Spaniard.
But the SSDT has a way of punishing even the smallest lapse.
A costly five-mark failure halted Hemingway’s charge and shifted the momentum back toward Raga. From that moment on, the experienced Spaniard controlled the situation and rode home to victory with the precision that has defined his legendary career.
Raga Delivers One of the Great SSDT Performances
To lose just 10 marks across six days of Scottish terrain is extraordinary.
Raga’s week was built on consistency rather than outright aggression. While others suffered sudden collapses or disastrous sections, he repeatedly found a way to minimise mistakes across the endlessly changing Highland conditions.
- Day 1: 0
- Day 2: 0
- Day 3: 0
- Day 4: 1
- Day 5: 6
- Day 6: 3
Even when the pressure reached its peak late in the week, Raga never unravelled.
The victory adds another historic chapter to the career of the Spanish icon and cements his place among the greatest riders ever to tackle the Scottish Six Days Trial.
Harry Hemingway Stuns the SSDT Field
While Raga claimed the overall win, one of the biggest stories of the week was Harry Hemingway.
The young rider produced a sensational final day to leap into second overall on 11 marks lost, overtaking his brother George in the process. Harry only dropped a single mark on Saturday and looked composed throughout the closing Highland groups.
- Day 1: 2
- Day 2: 3
- Day 3: 0
- Day 4: 3
- Day 5: 2
- Day 6: 1
To finish runner-up at the SSDT at such a young age confirms Hemingway as one of the brightest talents in modern trials.
Heartbreak for George Hemingway
For much of the final day, George Hemingway looked capable of completing one of the biggest breakthrough victories in SSDT history.
He had ridden brilliantly all week, staying calm under pressure and matching Raga section for section. His zero-mark ride on Day 5 completely reshaped the event and placed all the pressure on the Spaniard entering the finale.
But the SSDT is unforgiving.
One five-mark mistake ultimately proved decisive as George slipped to third overall on 12 marks lost, just two behind Raga after nearly a full week of competition.
Despite the disappointment, his ride throughout the week established him as a future SSDT winner without question.
Veterans Still Deliver in Scotland
The 2026 SSDT also highlighted the incredible staying power of the sport’s experienced stars.
Dougie Lampkin once again showed why he remains one of the most respected riders in trials history, finishing seventh overall on 18 marks lost. James Dabill recovered from his disastrous Day 3 stall to end the week 13th overall.
Dan Peace also impressed massively, finishing fifth overall and matching Jack Peace on 15 marks lost.
Final Top 10 Overall – 2026 Scottish Six Days Trial
- Adam Raga – 10
- Harry Hemingway – 11
- George Hemingway – 12
- Jack Peace – 15
- Dan Peace – 15
- Billy Green – 17
- Dougie Lampkin – 18
- Jack Price – 23
- Harry Turner – 23
- Richard Sadler – 25
A Scottish Six Days Trial That Will Be Remembered
The 2026 edition had everything that makes the SSDT legendary, changing momentum, brutal Highland terrain, generational battles, veteran resilience and final-day drama.
From the opening cleans on Day 1 to the pressure-cooker finale beneath Ben Nevis, this year’s event constantly evolved.
Raga may have claimed the victory, but the emergence of the Hemingway brothers could define the future of the Scottish Six Days Trial for years to come.
And after a final day this dramatic, the countdown to 2027 has already begun.