The FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) saw Great Britain extend their overall lead in the World Trophy competition at the end of Day Three. Team GB now hold more than a two minute lead over Italy, with Spain completing the top three.
Report and Images by FIM ISDE
In the Junior World Trophy class, Italy raced to their third victory in as many days to further cement their lead in the overall classification. United States continue to dominate the Women’s World Trophy category.
In the individual classification, Spaniard Josep Garcia’s (KTM) win streak ended with Italy’s Andrea Verona (GASGAS) racing to a well-earned victory on Day Three.
World Trophy – Great Britain out in front at halfway point
Reaching the halfway point in this year’s FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) Great Britain took victory on Day Three to further strengthen their lead in the World Trophy competition.
Leaving the beaten-up special tests of Days One and Two behind them, the FIM ISDE competitors today headed south into the Loziere region for a new course and new tests to.
With momentum behind them following their Day Two win, Great Britain were on a charge. With all four riders again featuring inside the top fifteen in the outright classification, they steadily etched out their lead to win by fifty-eight seconds over Italy.
They now enter the second half of the FIM ISDE with a two minute and twenty-three second lead over Italy.
For the third day in a row, Italy placed as the runners up. While not getting close enough to challenge for victory they are proving incredibly consistent and are ready to capitalise on any mistakes that may befall their rivals.
There was added reason to be upbeat in the Italian camp with Andrea Verona (GASGAS) also closing out Day Three with his first outright win of the week.
“I feel all week that I have been riding well, but today it just came together,” told Verona. “I remembered the lines quite well in the new tests and was in a big fight for the win with Josep (Garcia). On the final test I just gave it full gas and it worked out.”
Spain was third today to maintain their position of third overall in the race. Similarly, France took fourth, with the United States fifth, mirroring their World Trophy standings.
However, after three days of racing, only three hundredths of a second separate both France and the United States, which is set to make for an exciting second half of the FIM ISDE.
Junior World Trophy – Italy are simply unstoppable
There was no change at the top of the Junior World Trophy classification with Italy winning Day Three of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE).
A new day with a fresh set of special tests did little to disrupt the rhythm of the Italians in France, as the defending champions remained super composed while going on to comfortably top the result sheets today.
With all three riders working together, Italy led home closest rivals Finland by twenty-six seconds.
Although putting in some strong rides, Finland was not able to get the measure of the defending champions and had to settle for second today.
Entering the second half of the week-long race, Finland trail Italy by two minutes and nine seconds.
In the fight for the final step of the podium, Australia is growing in confidence. Now settled into the rhythm of the FIM ISDE, they pulled more time on Great Britain.
“It has been good to fight our way into third,” said Kyron Bacon (Yamaha). “We are beginning to settle into the race now and know what we have got to do each day.
“This is my first FIM ISDE. There’s a lot to think about. After Day Three the body knows it has done a lot of riding, but there is still a lot more to come.”
With Great Britain fourth, Spain completed the top five on Day Three. They remain fourth and fifth respectively in the overall classification.
Finishing fifth outright, France’s Zach Pichon (Sherco) was the quickest Junior World Trophy rider today.
Women’s World Trophy – USA in total control
The United States stamped their authority on Day Three of the Women’s World Trophy competition at the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) in France.
As has been the case so far this week, the Unites States proved unbeatable, racing clear to an impressive almost four-minute margin of victory.
The trio of Brandy Richards (KTM), Rachel Gutish (GASGAS) and Korie Steede (KTM) now lead the overall classification by a very healthy eleven minutes plus as they begin the second half of the FIM ISDE in France.
Although pushing a high pace, Great Britain were unable to make any inroads into the United States’ advantage and had to be content with second place. Like the United States they too have a comfortable advantage, sitting over nine minutes ahead of France in third.
It is still all to play for in third. France holds the upper hand over Australia, but they are only separated by one minute and three seconds.
Sweden holds fifth overall, but are now twenty minutes behind the Australians.
There was trouble on Day Three for Spain, who tumbled down the running order to seventh.
“Personally, I am having a good FIM ISDE,” said Mireia Badia (Rieju). “There are of course some ups, downs, and crashes each day, but I am keeping inside the top five, which is very pleasing.
“Unfortunately, we did not have the best day as a team. Our chances of a podium result or top five are probably gone, but we will keep trying and do the best we can.”
Results
Day Three – Individual
ENISDE1000313NETTrophy Team
ENISDE1SQ000313GENWTJunior Team
ENISDE1SQ000313GENJWTWomen’s Team
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