Ireland's got Biking Talent

For the first time amateur bike builders will get to showcase their emerging talents alongside professional custom bike builders by entering the Carole Nash inspired Ireland's Got Biking Talent competition.

Ruth Lemass, from event organiser SDL Exhibitions, says custom bike building has become an art form in itself over the years and gifted amateurs never get the chance to showcase their talents in a public forum. "We wanted to give them an opportunity to display their skills and fantastic achievements to the largest gathering of bike lovers in the country. Running this alongside the international qualifier for the AMD World Championships puts them centre stage."

All entrants to the amateur competition will be short-listed by a panel of judges but will face the ultimate test in a public internet vote to choose the winning bikes. The top 12 successful designs, including the winners, will be displayed alongside the professionally constructed custom bikes partaking in the International World qualifier of the AMD Custom Bike Building Competition which takes place at the RDS, Dublin from 1-3 March, 2013.

The Irish AMD winner will fly the flag for Ireland and compete against over 100 other top builders from around the globe for the title. The finals take place at The Big Bike Europe show in Essen, Germany in May but they will each get a cash prize of €3,000 and €1,000 worth of Zodiac products.

The Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show is the largest gathering of motorbikes and scooters under one roof in Ireland and features displays with features for all the family.

Our picture shows Sean Egan's classic Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans in mid restoration in advance of the Ireland's Got Biking Talent competition. David Jordan, MCM Engineering, Carlow (pictured left), shows Ireland really does have biking talent. Also pictured (right) is the Carosel AMD International entry built by Destiny Cycles UK.