Heading into this year’s NOCO FIM 6DAYS®, Spain are tipped as one of the favourites for medal success in the FIM Women’s World Trophy. Boosted by an army of home support in Galicia, the team also fields newly crowned FIM Women’s Enduro World Champion, Mireia Badia (Rieju).

The Spaniard has enjoyed a phenomenal season in the world championship, claiming six wins from ten starts, while only missing the podium once. Along with her teammates Nora Esteban (Beta) and Maria San Miguel (Rieju), finishing the year strong at the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) is the target.

“It’s exciting to have the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® as a home race in Spain this year,” tells Badia. “With Maria, Nora and myself, we have a really good team and will try our best to deliver a good result for the home crowd.”

With her first world title under her belt, along with the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® being held in Spain, Badia does not have the luxury of slipping in under the radar this year. Arguably riding the best she has ever done in her professional career, will her status of FIM world champion carry any extra weight in Galicia?

“For me, there is no extra pressure coming into the race,” admits Badia. “I want to do my best, of course, but I won’t have pressure like I had at the final EnduroGP in France. The 6DAYS® is a team race, it’s a long race too, anything can happen.”

In 2016, she competed in her first FIM ISDE in Navarra, Spain. She has raced it every year since then, except for last year’s edition in Argentina. Vastly experienced, she knows firsthand that a race like the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® cannot be won on the first day, despite how well it goes.

“In 2017, in France, I learned how quickly your luck can change at the NOCO FIM 6DAYS®. Spain ended the opening day leading the FIM Women’s World Trophy class and we were so happy. But on the first special test on day two it all changed in a single moment.

“I crashed, broke my collarbone and my race ended. It was a tough situation, but I saw there how quickly it can go wrong. For the 6DAYS®, you have to be consistent across all days.”

For 2024, the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® sees the introduction of a new FIM Women’s Club Team Awards class. As the demand for female participation in the FIM ISDE increases, the new category hopes to open additional avenues for women competitors to take to the start line. It is a move welcomed by world champion Badia.

“This new category is very important for women competing. Enduro is often seen as a boy’s sport, it can be tough for women to get involved.

“Creating more opportunities for women to compete can only be a good thing. Already in Spain, I can see more young women joining enduro. Let’s hope it continues to grow!”

Spectators will be granted free access to the paddock incorporating the NOCO Parc Fermé, opening ceremony, special tests days one to five, whilst the admission fee for the Final Cross Test will also include entry to the GASGAS 6DAYS® party complete with two free drinks.

If you cannot be there in person, FIM-MOTO.TV will be exclusively live streaming the final cross test on all days. The same programme will also welcome the top-ranking riders and nations who will participate in the 6DAYS MOTUL Studio Show as they return to the NOCO Parc Fermé in Silleda. This show will be hosted by motocross legend Paul Malin, who will provide live insights from the day’s racing and conduct interviews with the riders in a special studio set up inside the NOCO Parc Fermé. Access to this streaming service will be available at the special price of 6€ to stream live the 6DAYS (Live streaming day 1 to day 5). Detailed information about the live streaming can be found on FIM-MOTO.TV on the dedicated 6DAYS page: https://fim-moto.tv/fim_isde.

All in all, the ninety-eighth edition of the NOCO FIM 6DAYS® in Galicia, Spain from 14-19 October, is shaping up to be a not to be missed event!