Day three saw the 2024 NOCO FIM ISDE 6DAYS® complete the first half of this year’s race, with France extending their lead in the World Trophy classification. The United States maintain their advantage of the Women’s World Trophy, despite pressure from Australia. Sweden edge clear of rivals France in the Junior World Trophy category.
• Day three marks midway point in NOCO FIM 6DAYS®
• Fresh trails with changeable weather provide new challenges
• France strengthens World Trophy lead
After two days of the Santiago loop at the NOCO FIM 6DAYS®, riders awoke on day three to a new course and a fresh set of special tests. Already saturated terrain combined with unsettled weather resulted in organisers opting to use the Vilatuxe-Lalincourse, originally proposed for day four. With over two-hundred kilometres of riding planned for the day, riders would welcome the NOCO Parc Fermé on Wednesday evening to complete the first half of this year’s race.
No stopping France in World Trophy
At the head of the World Trophy classification, France set out to maintain their race lead. As they have done so far this week, the French quartet of Theo Espinasse (Beta), Hugo Blanjoue (Honda), Leo Le Quere (TM) and Julien Roussaly (Sherco) all placed at the sharp end of the results. With the four riders coming home inside the top twenty, they now lead by over seven minutes with three days remaining.
The fight for vice-champion saw the United States regroup and close in on Spain in second place. A superb ride by them resulted in Spain’s advantage over the United States shrinking from forty seconds to just eight.
Australia remains in fourth. Ten minutes behind Spain and the United States, they are eight minutes clear of the Czech Republic, who hold down fifth. Belgium continues to place well in this year’s NOCO FIM 6DAYS® with sixth. Helped largely by Antoine Magain (Sherco), who placed fourth outright today, they are keeping the pressure on the Czech Republic.
“The last two days have been really good,” said Antoine Magain (Sherco). “On day one I started at the back but moved forward these past days and have been able to ride a good pace. Today was very nice. With fresh special tests, the grass was a nice change to race on. It’s proving a tough race – the liaisons are challenging. But I’m feeling good on the bike and will keep my focus up to try and end the 6DAYS® in the top ten.”
Australia apply pressure on United States in Women’s World Trophy
At first glance the United States look to have control of things in the Women’s World Trophy competition thanks to a three-minute-and-thirty-four-second lead. However, despite having taken big chunks out of their rivals Australia on days one and two, they only managed to extend their lead today by five seconds. With both nations having vast amounts of NOCO FIM 6DAYS® experience, the second half of this race could begin to tell a different story if Australia continue to apply the pressure.
Sweden completes the top three but are almost nine minutes behind Australia. However, they hold a ten-minute-and-twenty-second lead over France in fourth. Spain completes the top five, with Italy in sixth.
“Due to a lot of injuries this season, my preparation coming into the 6DAYS® was far from ideal, but I’m fighting hard,” told Italy’s Francesca Nocera (Honda). “It’s my first time racing the 6DAYS® too, so now that we’ve reached the end of day three, this is the longest I’ve ever raced. The body is feeling it for sure, but I’m determined to keep going.”
Sweden strengthen Junior World Trophy lead
Pulling ahead in this year’s Junior World Trophy battle, leaders Sweden had the measure of closest rivals France on day three. Fronted by Max Ahlin (KTM) in eighth, all three team members slotted inside the top twenty-five overall to increase their advantage to two-minutes-and-eight-seconds.
The fight for the final step of the podium continues to be played out between the United States and Australia. Australia beat the United States by three seconds to close within one-minute of them. Spain and Great Britain remain fifth and sixthrespectively.
Despite Italy exiting the race early on day one, team rider Kevin Cristino (Fantic) continues to uphold national pride. The youngster was the best-placed Junior World Trophy rider on day three with sixth overall.
“It’s been a fantastic day for me today,” told Kevin Cristino (Fantic). “Being able to start closer to the front has helped a lot and I could try to follow the line of riders like Holcombe and Garcia. Today I was the fastest Junior World Trophy rider, sixth overall and second in Enduro3. Now, I want to keep pushing for a good result in this 6DAYS®.”
Garcia responds with overall win on day three
In the overall individual classification, the fight for outright honours continues to rage between Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM) and Great Britain’s Steve Holcombe (Honda). With Holcombe winning day two, Garcia responded in style today to top the time sheets in Galicia. With Holcombe second, France’s Theo Espinasse (Beta) delivered another impressive ride with third.
The Enduro1 category saw victory on day three go to Garcia, with Espinasse forty seconds behind in second. France’s Hugo Blanjoue (Honda) took third. Holcombe topped Enduro2 for the third day in a row. Italy’s Samuele Bernardini made it a Honda one-two with second place, while Sweden’s Max Ahlin (KTM) was third. Day three was one to remember for Antoine Magain (Sherco), with the Belgian winning Enduro3. Italy’s Kevin Cristino (Fantic) and Matteo Cavallo (TM) rounded out the top three.
There was no stopping the United States’ Brandy Richards (KTM), who once again topped the Women’s time sheets. Spain’s Mireia Badia (Rieju) came closest to Richards in second, while New Zealand’s Rachael Archer (Kawasaki) finished third.
Club Team Award top five remain unchanged
Team Italy continues to set the pace in the Club Team Award classification, winning day three to extend their lead to nearly twelve minutes. However, the remainder of the top five are separated by only four minutes, with a lot of racing left to come. Moto Club Puy En Velay remain in second, with GTBN third. XC Gear and RFME Club Team complete the top five respectively.
The battle for the top step of the Veteran Club Team podium continues to be fought out between Lynn Valley Dirt Riders and Gottbros Team 2. The Canadians have a ten-minute lead over the Slovakians as they enter day four. Now over one-hour behind Gottbros Team 2, Jess Plaza Freyer are third, but are only ten minutes clear of MC Sitges-Vinaros Veteran in fourth.
The Women’s Club Team classification remains unchanged with Eric Cleveland Memorial continuing to lead over Builth Wells MCC Ladies. Halton Off Road Riders AS hold onto third.
Day four of the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® continues today with a repeat of the Vilatuxe-Lalin course.
Results
ENISDE1000111NET
Results by Category
ENISDE1000111NETCAT
Report by FIM ISDE – Feature Image by Pole Position Communication
