Seven years since they were last victorious, France complete the penultimate day of the NOCO 2024 FIM ISDE 6DAYS® on the cusp of taking the World Trophy win. Australia close the gap to the United States with a Women’s World Trophy win on day five, while Sweden lead France heading into the day six Final Cross Test Galicia.
• NOCO FIM 6DAYS® completes day five in Galicia, Spain
• Poor weather and dense fog result in cancellation of special test five
• France hold virtual grasp of World Trophy win
Day five of the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® in Galicia, Spain marked the penultimate day of racing in this year’s ninety-eighth edition of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE). For those competitors remaining in the race, today saw them challenged with a new course. The two laps of the Orense-Irixo loop ensured over two-hundred-kilometres of riding for the day. However, with dense fog resulting in the cancellation of the second enduro test, riders were offered some relief to rest their weary bodies midway through the day.
France on the cusp of first World Trophy win since 2017
At the head of the World Trophy classification, France continued to set the benchmark. Looking as solid and determined as they have done since day one, they once again topped the classification. Entering tomorrow’s day six Final Cross Test Galicia, they hold a seven-minute-and-thirty-four-second advantage over the United States in second, with host nation Spain two minutes behind the United States in third.
“After five tough days of enduro, I’m beginning to feel tired now,” smiled France’s Julien Roussaly (Sherco) at the day five NOCO Parc Fermé. “We’re now within reach of the World Trophy win, with just tomorrow to go. I’ve very happy with how things have gone this week. Together, we’ve made a good job. Hopefully we can bring it home tomorrow.”
Australia hold fourth, but with fourteen minutes separating them from Spain, they can only hope Spain run into trouble on the final day if they wish to reach the podium. Rock solid, the Czech Republic complete the top five.
United States lead Australia in Women’s World Trophy
In the Women’s World Trophy class, Australia refuses to give up without a fight, and took the day five win. Closing the gap to leaders United States, they are now three-minutes-and-forty-eight-seconds behind. The United States will no doubt look to manage that cushion on day six but cannot afford to take it too easy with the Australians still charging hard.
Sweden remains in a comfortable third position and look set to complete the podium tomorrow. France and Spain round out the top five. Led by Rachael Archer (Kawasaki), this year’s NOCO FIM 6DAYS® saw the debut of New Zealand in the Women’s World Trophy. Although down in tenth, Archer has turned heads in the individual standings in second overall.
“It felt good to win a special test today,” told New Zealand’s Rachael Archer (Kawasaki). “I felt like I rode decent and didn’t crash, so put in a solid ride.
“It’s been a cool first 6DAYS® for me. I didn’t really set any goals or expectations for myself coming into the week. I just wanted to learn and gain as much experience as I could. I feel like I’ve done that and also shown some speed.”
Junior World Trophy outcome set to go down to the wire
In the Junior World Trophy standings, defending champions France remain in the hunt for victory, thanks to their day five win. They managed to close the gap to leaders Sweden to under two minutes. With the outcome of this battle set to go down to the wire, it is very much all to play for on day six.
The United States remain third but will need to keep a watchful eye on Australia in fourth. Only one-minute-and-forty-five-seconds split both nations. Great Britain are fifth, with a healthy advantage over Spain in sixth.
“I had a much better ride on day five,” said Australia’s Angus Riordan (KTM). “I finally found my flow and rhythm in this race. I got a few good special test times in, but unfortunately, they had to cancel test five. Australia are in a good position overall, so we keep pushing hard on day six.”
Garcia remains in charge of individual classification
Despite the cancellation of special test five, the overall individual standings still saw Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM) claiming the day five victory. Topping the first four special tests, he went on to win by over fourteen seconds over Great Britain’s Steve Holcombe (Honda) in second. Another solid performance by France’s Theo Espinasse (Beta) saw him place third. Italy’s Samuele Bernardini (Honda) recorded his best result of the week with fourth. Sweden’s Max Ahlin (KTM) took fifth, and best Junior World Trophy rider.
“My speed today was good in the special tests,” told Italy’s Samuele Bernardini (Honda). “It was nice to be further up the overall rankings. I was fighting for the top three, but eventually took fourth. With one day left, I hope I can end it on a high.”
Making it five-from-five, Garcia was once again best of the Enduro1 class competitors. Espinasse in second headed his fellow countryman Hugo Blanjoue (Honda) in third. Similarly, Holcombe also made it five wins from five starts in Enduro2. Bernardini and Ahlin rounded out the top three. It was a win for Belgium’s Antoine Magain (Sherco) in Enduro3, who continues to enjoy a stellar ride in Galicia. The Italian pairing of Kevin Cristino (Fantic) and Matteo Cavallo (TM) were second and third.
Remaining undefeated in the Women’s classification, the United States’ Brandy Richards (KTM) took the day five win. New Zealand’s Rachael Archer (Kawasaki) finished second, with Canada’s Shelby Turner (GASGAS) producing a great ride for third.
Team Italy lead the Club Team Award into day six
Team Italy continues to lead the way in the Club Team Award category. With one day remaining, they hold a sixteen-minute-and-thirty-four-second advantage over Moto Club Puy En Velay in second. GTBN are third, with XC Gear and RFME Club Team rounding out the top five.
With over sixteen minutes in hand over Gottbros Team 2, Lynn Valley Dirt Riders have a virtual grasp on the Veteran Club Team win. Jesus Plaza Freyer will look to complete the podium, ahead of MC Stiges-Vinaros Veteran in fourth. Leading the inaugural Women’s Club Team competition by more than one-and-a-half-hours, Eric Cleveland Memorial are set to make history if everything goes their way tomorrow. Builth Wells MCC Ladies have a comfortable advantage over Halton Off Road Riders AS in third.
After five exciting and action-packed days of racing, the ninety-eighth edition of the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® is set to conclude with the day six Final Cross Test Galicia, followed by the GASGAS 6DAYS® Party.
For the sixth and final day of racing, the Final Cross Test Galicia in Silleda will be streamed live on FIM-MOTO.TV. The coverage will begin with the Club Team Awards before diving into the action from all of the World Trophy categories. The live streaming concludes with the crowning of this year’s champions at the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® awards ceremony.
You can see the results here >> https://fim-isde.com/2024-results/
Report by FIM ISDE – Feature Image courtesy of Future7Media
