It is almost that time of year. In just a few weeks the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) will take place in San Juan, Argentina. An event much-loved by all, it’s a chance for both amateur and professional riders to unite and race for the pride of their nation.
Whether this is your first time learning about the FIM ISDE or you are a die-hard Enduro fan, here is a quick refresher guide to all things FIM ISDE.
Images courtesy of Pole Position Communication/Dario Agrati
Importantly, the FIM ISDE is the longest-running off-road motorcycle race on the FIM calendar. In fact, it’s been running for one hundred and ten years. The first event took place in the United Kingdom back in 1913. The race is held annually, with the only exceptions being stoppages for world wars and most recently the COVID pandemic in 2020. When riders roll off the start ramp in San Juan in Argentina on 6th November, it will begin the ninety-seventh edition of this iconic race.
While the race generally moves from country to country and a different location each year, San Juan previously hosted the FIM ISDE in 2014. Back then France won the FIM World Trophy classification.
For 2023 it is Great Britain who start as the defending FIM World Trophy champions. Their victory in France last year marked the first time they had won the race in fifty years. Italy won the FIM Junior World Trophy and Great Britain also won the FIM Women’s World Trophy.
As the name suggests, the FIM ISDE takes place across six days of racing. It is a true test of rider and mechanical reliability in a format that has largely remained unchanged during the last one hundred years.
Each day competitors face a course of over one hundred kilometres in length that will be completed twice. Riders must adhere to a strict time schedule to complete each day without time penalties. Along the loop are three timed special tests of varying length. The times from these special tests are added together, along with any penalties acuminated, to determine the overall results. The day six final test is a mass start motocross race.
Adding to the uniqueness of the event, no outside assistance is permitted. Once a rider and machine start the event, it is their responsibility to reach the finish line unaided.
At the end of each day riders are allocated fifteen minutes for necessary work, including tyre changing, oil changes, and servicing. Their motorcycles are then put in a restricted access parc ferme overnight. They are allowed a further ten minutes each morning prior to starting, to do any additional work.
Help from service crews can be given for refuelling or cleaning of number boards, but that is it. This ensures both amateur and professional riders remain on a level playing field.
Although the World Trophy competitors grab the lion’s share of the limelight, it is ultimately the coming together of professional and amateur competitors that makes the FIM ISDE so unique and special. Very rarely in any forms of sport do both groups of people compete against each other at the same time and under the same conditions.
While some amateur riders will be selected for their respective World Trophy team, many opt to compete in the Club Team Award. The club teams feature three riders and form the bulk of the FIM ISDE entry. In total, over three hundred and fifty competitors from thirty nations will be present in San Juan.
The excitement of the FIM ISDE builds with the opening ceremony on Saturday November 4th, with racing taking place from 6th to 11th November.
Full event details can be found at www.fim-isde.com
