The fifth and penultimate day of the FIM International Six Day’s Enduro (ISDE) saw competitors’ edge closer to the finish line in San Juan, Argentina. At the head of the standings, the United States remain in control of the FIM World Trophy class with a fourteen-minute lead. Sweden lead the FIM Junior World Trophy category by almost twenty-two minutes, while the United States enjoy a firm grasp on the FIM Women’s World Trophy competition.
• 6DAYS® completes tough day five in San Juan
• United States edge closer to FIM World Trophy victory
• Day six concludes with traditional Final Cross Test
Day five of the ninety-seventh ISDE marked the final long day of racing for the weary competitors that remain in the race. The Yellow Loop greeted them with a new course and a fresh set of special tests to contest. At over two hundred and thirty kilometres long, it still proved a lengthy day in the saddle for all.
United States set sights in FIM World Trophy win with day five victory
In the FIM World Trophy competition the penultimate day provided plenty of drama in the battle for the final podium positions. The United States were comfortable out front, but behind them things started out close between France, Great Britain, Spain, and Italy for second and third overall.
But on the second test, drama struck both Spain and Italy. With each team losing a rider, it dropped them out of the running order and ended what was shaping up to be a close battle. The United States raced on to claim their fifth consecutive day win by almost three minutes. France took second, with Great Britain third. Chile and Venezuela rounded out the top five on day five.
“It’s been a hard week, one of the toughest ISDE races I have done for sure,” told France’s Loic Larrieu (KTM). “But to arrive to the final day in second overall is very good for France.”
“The United States were stronger than us this week, but we fought and never gave up. We’ll try to focus on tomorrow’s final day and reach the finish without problems.”
Heading into day six, the United States hold a fourteen-minute lead over France, with Great Britain two minutes further back in third. With Chile over thirty-five minutes behind Great Britain, the final podium placings now look decided barring any unforeseen day six drama.
Sweden looking unstoppable in FIM Junior World Trophy
In the FIM Junior World Trophy class, Sweden looks set to secure their first victory in almost seven years. Yet again they proved the nation to beat, powering away to their fifth day win this week. They were followed home today by France in second, with the United States in third.
“It’s been a good day for the team and for myself I had a strong ride,” said United States’ Mateo Oliveira (KTM).
“This was my best result of the week and it’s given me good confidence that I can race hard at this level. We’re all looking forward to tomorrow after what’s been a hard week.”
With Sweden, France, and the United States in control of the overall podiums, Argentina is fourth. Holding a twenty-minute lead over the Czech Republic, the stage is set for the host nation to claim their best result in recent memory on home soil.
United States in command of FIM Women’s World Trophy competition
There was no change at the head of the FIM Women’s World Trophy class, with the United States storming away to their fourth consecutive day victory. After losing to Australia on day one, the United States have hardly put a foot wrong since. Holding a four hour and seven-minute race lead, they will sleep easy tonight.
Behind them though and there was more drama, with further changes to the leaderboard. Today, Team FIM Latin America saw their chance of a debut runner-up result slip away when Valeria Rodriguez (Honda) dropped out after the first special test.
That change saw Australia climb back up to second overall in the classification. With four hours in hand over France, Team FIM Latin America should hold onto third overall.
“This is only my first ISDE and at sixteen years old I’m pretty new to it all,” told Australia’s Danielle MacDonald (Yamaha). “But I dug deep today found my groove and was able to put in a solid result.”
“Overall, it’s been a great learning week for me. I was too young to race the Australian Four Day Enduro earlier this year, so I’m pleased to get this far. Hopefully I can build on this experience for the future.”
Garcia moves closer to third consecutive individual victory with day five win
Day five saw the familiar battle between Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM) and Italy’s Andrea Verona (GASGAS) for the overall individual classification, beginning with the day’s opening special test. The Italian Verona shot out to an early lead, winning the first two tests. But Garcia soon found his rhythm and went on to top the remaining four tests to take the day five victory by sixteen seconds.
The United States’ Taylor Robert (KTM) was best of the rest in third, albeit some one minute and twenty-seven seconds behind the leading duo. Garcia – aiming for his third consecutive 6DAYS® overall victory – now holds a forty-eight second lead over Verona heading into tomorrow’s Final Cross Test.
“It’s great to get the overall win again today, but I’m also sad because as a team we lost our rider Jaume Betriu with an injury,” commented Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM).
“We were fighting for the podium, but that’s not possible now. Overall, I’ve enjoyed a great ISDE so far. I always love this race. I will try my best to take home the trophy tomorrow!”
In Enduro1 it was a comfortable win for Garcia. Italy’s Samuele Bernardini (Honda) was second with Spain’s Sergio Navarro (Husqvarna) having his best result of the week in third.
Similarly, Verona was the clear winner of the Enduro2 class. Robert took second, with his teammate Dante Oliveira (KTM) third.
Sweden’s Albin Norrbin (Fantic) was the rider to beat in Enduro3. He took the win over Loic Larrieu (KTM). Chile’s Ben Herrera (GASGAS) beat Italy’s Morgan Lesiardo (Sheroc) for third.
XC Gear favourites for Club Team Award honours
With an eighteen-minute lead in the Club Team Award, XC Gear look set to claim the top step of the podium in this year’s 6DAYS® with just the Final Cross Test left to play out. GTBN hold a strong second place. Argentina are now ten minutes clear of fourth placed Steve Hatch Racing POTM.
After five exciting and action-packed days of racing, this year’s 6DAYS® concludes tomorrow in San Juan, Argentina with the traditional Final Cross Test at the Circuit Internacional ASER De Enduro Y Motocross.
