The American Motorcyclist Association today announced the 10 trophy team riders selected to represent the United States in the 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro in Vina Del Mar, Chile, Nov. 12-17.
The riders will compete as the U.S. World Trophy, Junior World Trophy and Women's World Trophy teams.
"The U.S. World Trophy Team had a tough outing in 2017, because of an injury on the first day of competition, so we are looking forward to the opportunity to regain the championship the U.S. team won in 2016," said AMA Director of Racing Kevin Crowther. "We are eager to head for Chile with this group of talented riders. And I am confident these individuals will be competitive at the highest level and demonstrate America's determination and conviction during this competition."
The U.S. World Trophy and Junior World trophy teams have been managed by KTM USA's Off-Road Manager Antti Kallonen since 2012. Since 2017, Kallonen also has managed the U.S. Women's World Trophy Team.
"I'm happy to be able to assemble all three teams with the riders [named above]," Kallonen said. "Most of the riders can go without any further introduction, as their past results prove their ability for Six Days type racing. But I'm especially pleased to have Zach on board. Although he is new to Six Days, he has proven his speed in off road racing and is riding a two-stroke bike very well, which landed him the spot in the E3 class. It is not easy to find a fast rider that races regularly on a 500 four-stroke or 300 two-stroke in the United States. So, to find a rider like Zach will be a great benefit to the team."
Kallonen said he is ready to begin preparing the teams for the November competition.
The 2018 U.S. World Trophy Team includes: Ryan Sipes, Taylor Robert, Kailub Russell and Zach Bell.
Sipes was the 2015 ISDE overall winner. Robert was the 2016 ISDE overall winner. Russell is a five-time GNCC champion. And Bell is a standout motocrosser turned off-road racer and AMA District 37 Big 6 Grand Prix Series champion.
