A truly global event, the annual NOCO FIM 6DAYS® attracts riders and fans from the world over. From the best enduro riders to the passionate amateur, the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) is a rite of passage. As the ninety-eighth edition of the longest-running offroad motorcycle competition on the FIM calendar fast approaches this 14-19 October, in Galicia, Spain, over five-hundred and fifty competitors from thirty-two nations will take to the start line.
For many, the FIM ISDE is a bucket-list enduro. Completing six consecutive days of racing, covering up to fifteen hundred kilometres of riding across challenging offroad terrain, is the main attraction. For the top-tier elite, it is also about putting on the national jersey and giving it their best.
As the only event on the FIM calendar that assembles all of the world’s fastest enduro riders in one place, it offers an incredible opportunity each year for riders to closely measure themselves against the best. From FIM Enduro World Champions to national champions from the United States, Australia, Canada, South America and further afield, the NOCO Parc Fermé in Silleda will be a hotbed of talent.
Garcia aiming for fourth consecutive outright FIM ISDE victory
Taking the outright individual honours at the FIM ISDE for the last three editions, Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM) naturally starts as a hotly tipped favourite in Galicia. Arriving at his home race with the 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Championship in one hand, he will be determined to end it holding the outright individual victory in the other.
With three runner-up results to Garcia in the last three FIM ISDE outings, Italy’s Andrea Verona (GASGAS) will be hoping to get the better of his Spanish rival this time around. Crowned FIM Enduro2 World Champion, along with placing third overall in EnduroGP, Verona is on top form.
Great Britain’s Steve Holcombe (Honda) returns to the FIM ISDE after a year’s absence. Finishing runner-up to Garcia in the 2024 FIM EnduroGP season, while swapping victories with both Garcia and Verona, ensures the nine-time FIM world champion’s entry in Galicia will make an exciting addition to the line-up.
As reigning FIM World Trophy champions, the United States feature two national champions, Josh Toth (GASGAS) and Johnny Girroir (KTM). Toth was crowned the AMA National Enduro Champion for the first time, having won seven out of nine races held so far in 2024. Girroir claimed his debut AMA Grand National Cross Country Championship three rounds early. Both riders will look to position themselves at the sharp end of the results in Spain.
From opposite ends of the world, Tyler Medaglia (Honda) stars in the Canadian FIM World Trophy team as their newly crowned National Enduro Champion, while Australia boast their AORC Enduro1 Champion, Kyron Bacon (Yamaha). Additionally, Bacon took two race wins in the FIM Junior Enduro World Championship during a wildcard visit to round five in Slovakia, making him a rider to watch for in Galicia.
In the FIM Junior World Trophy category, there is no doubting that numerous riders will look to shine in the individual classification too. As the 2024 FIM Junior Enduro World Champion, Sweden’s Max Ahlin (KTM) will target a top-ten result, along with his teammates Axel Semb (Fantic) and Albin Norrbin (Fantic). Australia’s Angus Riordan (KTM) produced breakout rides at home, in the United States and in EnduroGP throughout 2024. The FIM ISDE should play to his strengths.
With a lengthy list of Junior talent to consider, the Italian pairing of Manuel Verzeroli (KTM) and Kevin Cristino (Fantic), both 2024 FIM champions, cannot be left out too.
Stacked field in Women’s World Trophy
In total, thirty-three women will compete in the FIM Women’s World Trophy class. In a competitive field, United States’ Brandy Richards (KTM) will look to claim the outright victory again this year. However, as the 2024 FIM Women’s Enduro World Champion, Mireia Badia (Rieju) will be fired up to take the win on home soil.
Australia’s Danielle McDonald (Yamaha) finished as runner-up to Richards in 2024 in her debut NOCO FIM 6DAYS®. Proving herself a rising star in enduro, thanks to recently clinching the AORC Women’s title, McDonald will be pushing hard to win on the international stage.
Adding Australia’s Jess Gardiner (Yamaha) and Tayla Jones (Husqvarna), Italy’s Francesca Nocera (Honda), Sweden’s Emelie Karlsson (GASGAS), France’s Elodie Chaplot (Beta), United States’ Rachel Gutish (Sherco) and Korie Steede (Husqvarna), plus New Zealand’s Rachael Archer (Kawasaki), who is the 2024 AMA National Enduro Women’s Champion, ensures the best of the best will be at the NOCO FIM 6DAYS®.
Words and Images by NOCO FIM 6DAYS®
