Great Britain continues to establish themselves as the nation to beat in this year’s FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) following a World Trophy class win on Day Four.
Report and Images by FIM ISDE
Securing their third victory of the week, Great Britain topped the World Trophy classification in Le Puy-En-Velay, France by a very sizeable one minute and nine seconds. With two days of the FIM ISDE remaining, they are now over four minutes in front of Spain, who moved up to second place overall today.
A repeat of yesterday’s two hundred-and-twenty-kilometre-long course, Day Four saw the battle-weary competitors pushed to the limits on the rough and physically demanding terrain.
For Great Britain it was a day that again went in their favour. Behind them though and the fight for second ramped up between Italy and Spain.
The Spaniards pushed on to claw back time lost to the Italians. With Italy missing a beat, it allowed Spain to finish forty-two seconds ahead and as a result take over the runner-up overall position by five seconds.
“We raced our way back into contention today,” told Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM). “It’s been a good day for the team. We’re doing a good job and pushing at one hundred percent. We’ll try again tomorrow to keep this fight.”
With Day Five bringing a new course, expect Italy to go on the attack tomorrow.
Holding steady in fourth, France enjoyed another consistent day in the FIM ISDE. Although unable to bridge the gap to the top three, they are however holding everyone else at bay.
Sweden also rode strong to take fifth. The Swedes have made inroads into the United States lead over them. They now trail fifth placed United States by less than two minutes with two days to go.
Italy Edge Closer To FIM ISDE Junior World Trophy Victory
It was business as usual for Italy’s juniors today, winning the Junior World Trophy classification for the fourth day in a row at the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE).
Chipping away at building their race lead, Italy gained another twenty-three seconds on Finland, who sit in second place. That sees them extended their advantage at the top of the time sheets to two minutes and thirty-three seconds.
Proving unbreakable so far in this year’s race defending Junior World Trophy champions Italy keep doing everything right. Finland put on an attack with strong rides from Roni Kytonen (Honda) and Hermanni Haljala (TM), but it was not enough to rattle their rivals.
Ending their day in third, Australia placed under one minute behind Italy today to maintain their podium placing in this year’s FIM ISDE.
Great Britain took fourth on Day Four, but only just as Spain finished twenty-two seconds behind them in fifth.
Great Britain still look safe for a top four result in this year’s event, holding a three and a half minute plus advantage over Spain.
The fight for sixth remains tight between the Czech Republic and New Zealand. The Czech Republic hold a one minute and three second lead over New Zealand in seventh.
France’s Zach Pichon was the fastest Junior World Trophy rider for the fourth day running. The Sherco rider was sixth overall today as he battles for a top five position in the overall classification.
Great Britain leads the FIM Women’s World Trophy as the USA are forced to retire in the ISDE!
The fourth day of the International Six Days Enduro Competition (ISDE in English) was marked by a turn of events at the head of the women’s competition.
Dominating since the kick-off of this edition in Puy-en-Velay, the United States gave up in the middle of the day after the fall of their pilot Brandy Richards (KTM), who was leader of the race in the individual classification.
Great Britain inherits the lead two days from the end, with an 11’30 lead over France!
Richards’ fall is a reminder of how undecided ISDEs can be until the end! The United States were defending champions. Sadness on one side, jubilation on the other: Great Britain won on Thursday by teams but also individually with Jane Daniels.
“It’s a huge surprise for us to finish in the lead today, but it shows that anything can happen in the FIM ISDE,” said Briton Rosie Rowett (KTM). “I hope Brandy is okay and I feel sorry for USA, but that’s part of the race too.”
“Although we have quite a big lead in the race over France, we cannot take anything for granted tomorrow.”
Results
Individual – Day Four
ENISDE1000417NETTrophy – Team
ENISDE1SQ000417GENWTJunior – Team
ENISDE1SQ000417GENJWTWomen – Team
ENISDE1SQ000417GENWWT
