Great Britain continues to establish itself 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.
Great Britain had further reason to smile on Day Four when they took over the Women’s World Trophy race lead. Making it four-day wins, Italy remains unbeaten in the Junior World Trophy classification.
It was not a good news day for The Australians with the Trophy Team dropping out after Todd Waters crashed and was left with a reported shoulder injury.
Repeating Loop Two from Day Three, riders once again headed south into the Loziere region, for another run of the two-hundred-and-twenty-kilometre course which properly tested the now race-weary FIM ISDE competitors. This again featured five special tests, which included the challenging ST2 Volcan du Bonjour by MOTUL and the equally tough ST4 Rauret by AIROH, which were both topped by Josep Garcia who was the outright fastest rider today.
World Trophy
Securing their third victory of the week, Great Britain topped the World Trophy classification 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. “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.
Junior World Trophy
It was business as usual for Italy’s juniors, winning the Junior World Trophy classification for the fourth day in a row.
Chipping away at building their race lead, Italy gained another twenty-three seconds on Finland, who sit in second place. That sees them extend 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 and Hermanni Haljala, 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.
Great Britain took fourth on Day Four, but only just as Spain finished twenty-two seconds behind them in fifth.
Great Britain still looks safe for a top four result, 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 holds 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.
Women’s World Trophy
Day Four saw a dramatic change in the Women’s World Trophy competition.
After dominating proceedings, the United States exited the race midway through the day when race leader Brandy Richards crashed out.
Great Britain was quick to inherit the race lead and with two days remaining now holds an eleven minute and thirty second lead over France.
Proving once again that nothing is ever certain in FIM ISDE until the end of Day Six, there was great shock on Day Four when the United States lost their lead.
A crash from Richards – who also led the individual classification – forced her to retire and with it ended their hopes of defending their Women’s World Trophy crown.
Lying second to the United States in this year’s title fight, Great Britain ended today as the surprise leaders. There was added glory for Great Britain, with Jane Daniels also taking victory.
“It’s been a huge surprise for us to end today as the leaders, but it goes to show that anything can happen in the FIM ISDE,” told Great Britain’s Rosie Rowett. “I hope Brandy is ok and I feel for the United States, but I guess this part of racing too.
“While we have got a pretty big lead in the race over France, we can’t take anything for granted tomorrow.”
Day Four Scratch Results
