Defending nation Italy have shot out to an early Junior World Trophy team lead in this year’s FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE).

Hitting the ground running on Day One in Le Puy-En-Velay in France, Italy leads closest rivals Finland by over one minute and thirty-two seconds, with Great Britain in third.

Drama hit home nation France with team rider Antoine Alix (KTM) exiting the race with a mechanical issue in the opening special test.

Sweden and the United States also suffered similar problems on Day One with both nations each losing a rider to drop them out of the running order.

However, at the head of the standings it was all about Italy. Collectively the trio of Morgan Lesiardo (Sherco), Enrico Rinaldi (GASGAS) and Claudio Spanu (Honda) looked impressively strong as they stretched out a comfortable lead to top the opening day of racing.

Behind them, Finland slotted into second. Great Britain sit third overall on Day One to match their position in the provisional World Trophy standings and are about thirty three seconds behind Finland.

Chile enjoyed a strong start to their week with fourth, while Czech Republic rounding out the top five.

While France’s hopes of a Junior World Trophy win ended early on Day One, Zach Pichon (Sherco) still gave them reason to cheer by finishing as the fastest Junior Trophy rider in sixth overall.

“It’s disappointing for the team to see our chances end today, but for myself it has been a good start to my first FIM ISDE,” told Pichon.

Leading the Junior World Trophy riders, but also to end the day in sixth overall is a little surprising, but good for the confidence at the same time.”