Enduro

United States and Australia win 2019 FIM ISDE

Posted:

Sunday, November 17th, 2019

7:47 AM

Team USA where crowned 2019 World Trophy Champions. Photo: Dario Agrati

The United States have claimed FIM World Trophy victory at the ninety-fourth edition of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) in Portimao, Portugal.

In what is now their second win in the event, the United States led home Team Australia in second with Italy - hosts for the 2020 FIM ISDE - securing third.

The FIM Junior World Trophy category marked a win for the RecoveR8 supported Team Australia over the United States with Spain joining them on the podium in third. There was further reason for the United States to celebrate in this year‰Ûªs FIM ISDE as their women‰Ûªs team also rode to victory in the FIM Women‰Ûªs World Trophy category.

The fourth edition of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy saw Italy triumph over Germany and France.

Proving themselves as the nation to beat in this year‰Ûªs FIM ISDE, the United States won back the FIM World Trophy they last held in 2016. After edging out early pace setters RecoveR8 Team Australia during the midway stage in the race, they grew stronger as the week progressed.

Entering the traditional day six motocross race with a comfortable lead, Ryan Sipes, Kailub Russell, Taylor Robert and Baylor Steward barely put a foot wrong to clinch this year‰Ûªs World crown.

‰ÛÏIt‰Ûªs an amazing feeling to win the FIM ISDE,‰Û

Team Australia where crowned 2019 World Junior Trophy Champions. Photo: Dario Agrati

Spain rode hard to collect fourth in this year‰Ûªs race with Finland and France completing the top six.

Team Australia made no mistakes on the sixth and final day of competition at the FIM ISDE to race their way onto the top step of the FIM Junior World Trophy podium. Despite holding a commanding lead over their rivals, the Australian trio of Michael Driscoll, Lyndon Snodgrass and Fraser Higlett still topped today‰Ûªs motocross to cement themselves as this year‰Ûªs Junior champions.

‰ÛÏAs a team we came out strong this week,‰Û

With five of the six outright wins on offer, Australian Daniel sanders topped the overall chart to be classed individual World Champion.

Creating their own piece of Enduro history, the trio of Rebecca Sheets, Brandy Richards and Tarah Gieger secured United States‰Ûª second FIM Women‰Ûªs World Trophy win, their first since topping the inaugural running of the category in 2007. Bravely putting an end to Australia‰Ûªs six-year win streak, the United States rightfully earned their place on the top step of the podium in Portimao.

‰ÛÏThe nerves were really high coming into today, I think everyone was so relieved to cross the finish line as World champions,‰Ûª commented Brandy Richards. ‰ÛÏWe‰Ûªve had a brilliant week and aside from some minor moments, we‰Ûªve been strong every day and I think that‰Ûªs been the key this year.‰Û

Team USA where crowned 2019 World Womens Champions. Photo: Dario Agrati

With the outright fastest time on the day, Spain‰Ûªs Josep Garcia topped the Enduro 1 class for the sixth time. Consistently proving himself as the rider to beat each day, Garcia secured the overall category win. Behind him, Ryan Sipes held off top Junior Lyndon Snodgrass by thirty-eight seconds after more than four and a half hours of timed racing to claim second. Australia‰Ûªs Luke Styke and Finland‰Ûªs Eero Remes completed the top five.

Signing off on his 2019 FIM ISDE in style, Taylor Robert claimed the day six Enduro 2 win to ultimately claim the overall category victory. Ensuring another memorable result for the United States, Kailub Russell joined him on the podium in second. Italy‰Ûªs Davide Guarneri rounded out the top three.

Fraser Higlett was the top Junior in fourth, with his fellow Australian compatriot Josh Green taking fifth.

Australian Daniel Sanders was the standout of the event, claiming the Enduro 3 class and taking 5 of the six overall wins, including the final motocross. Brit Daniel McCanney finished over eight minutes behind sanders USA's Steward Baylor third

In the final battle for Enduro Women honours, Brandy Richards secured the day six win over Germany‰Ûªs Maria Franke. However, it was Franke who enjoyed the spoils of victory claiming the outright Enduro Women‰Ûªs win in this year‰Ûªs FIM ISDE.

Richards, helped by her final day‰Ûªs success, took the runner-up spot, while Great Britain‰Ûªs Jane Daniels - Husqvarna was third. Australian Jessica Gardiner and Spain‰Ûªs Mireia Badia were fourth and fifth respectively.

The final day of competition in the EVT class saw Italy‰Ûªs Stefano Passeri - KTM come out on top. He was followed home by Australia‰Ûªs Rick Madden - Husqvarna in second with Mario Rinaldi - KTM third.

The ninety-fifth edition of the FIM ISDE will take place in Rivanazzano Terme, Italy from 31 August 31 to 5 September 2020.