Day 3 of the 2026 Scottish Six Days Trial delivered one of the biggest turning points of the event so far, as Adam Raga continued his flawless ride through the Scottish Highlands while several key challengers lost vital marks across a demanding Wednesday route.
With iconic sections including Grey Mare Trail, Pipeline, Leanachan, and Carn Dearg testing the field, consistency once again proved more valuable than outright aggression.
After three full days of competition, Raga remains the only rider in the entire field yet to lose a single mark, a remarkable achievement considering the scale and difficulty of the terrain.
Raga Tightens His Grip on SSDT 2026
The Spanish veteran produced another masterclass in control and precision throughout the 84-sections across 3 days, navigating slippery rocks, steep climbs, and technical stream hazards without error.
What makes Raga’s performance even more impressive is the pressure building behind him. Every clean section now increases the psychological strain on the chasing riders, many of whom are already being forced to take risks simply to remain in contention.
Three days in, the SSDT has become less about outright speed and more about survival under pressure, an area where Raga’s experience is clearly paying dividends.
Jack Price Moves Into Second
One of the biggest stories of the day came from Jack Price, who delivered a crucial clean ride on Wednesday to move into second overall on just three marks.
Price’s recovery after dropping points earlier in the week keeps him firmly in the fight and positions him as Raga’s closest challenger heading into the second half of the event.
Alongside him on three marks are both Michael Brown and rising U21 star George Hemingway, creating an incredibly tight battle for the podium positions.
Hemingway’s consistency continues to stand out. The young rider is matching some of the biggest names in trial while handling the brutal Scottish conditions with impressive maturity.
James Dabill Suffers Major Setback
Perhaps the most dramatic moment of Day 3 involved former winner James Dabill.
After looking comfortable throughout the opening stages of the event, Dabill’s challenge suffered a major blow following an unfortunate stall in section that resulted in a costly five-mark penalty.
In an SSDT where margins are incredibly small, the mistake proved hugely significant. Dabill ended the day on eight marks lost for Wednesday alone, dropping him to tenth overall and effectively removing him from the fight for victory unless conditions dramatically worsen later in the week.
It was a brutal reminder of how unforgiving the Scottish Six Days Trial can be. One small error, even for the sport’s most experienced riders, can completely reshape the leaderboard.
Wednesday’s Highland Sections Create Separation
The Day 3 route featured some of the most famous terrain of the week, with sections at Lower Mamore, School House Falls, Grey Mare Trail, and Leanachan producing increasingly difficult conditions as the day progressed.
The long sequences at Leanachan, featuring five separate sections, proved particularly influential. Riders were forced to balance precision with momentum as slippery rock faces and deep water crossings punished hesitation.
Elsewhere, Pipeline and Loch Eilde Cottage demanded perfect throttle control, while Grey Mare Trail exposed riders who became overly aggressive.
By the end of the day, the leaderboard had begun to spread more clearly, exactly the kind of midweek separation that often defines the SSDT.
Top 10 Standings After Day 3
| Position | Rider | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam Raga | 0 |
| 2 | Jack Price | 3 |
| 3 | Michael Brown | 3 |
| 4 | George Hemingway | 3 |
| 5 | Billy Green | 4 |
| 6 | Harry Hemingway | 5 |
| 7 | Jack Dance | 5 |
| 8 | Dan Peace | 6 |
| 9 | Dougie Lampkin | 8 |
| 10 | James Dabill | 9 |
The Psychological Battle Has Begun
While the scores remain incredibly low, the real story heading into Day 4 is mental pressure.
Every rider chasing Raga knows they are effectively waiting for a mistake that still hasn’t come. That dynamic changes the way competitors approach sections, often encouraging risks that lead to costly errors.
Meanwhile, younger riders such as George Hemingway and Harry Hemingway continue to build momentum, proving the next generation of British trial talent is ready to compete with the established names.
With three days remaining and conditions expected to become even rougher later in the week, the Scottish Six Days Trial remains far from over.
But after another perfect performance, Adam Raga now looks increasingly difficult to stop.