As the current champions in both the World Trophy and Junior World Trophy classes, all eyes will be on Italy when they arrive at Le Puy-en-Velay, France from Monday 29 August to Saturday 3 September for this year’s FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE). Winners at their home event last year the Italian Motorcycle Federation (FMI) has confirmed a formidable line up in both classes to defend their titles at the 96th edition of this historic event.

The challenge they face this time around will be slightly different from twelve months ago, as all riders will now count towards the overall result in the World Trophy class, thus making the reliability of the bikes and riders even more important. Plus, no longer do the nations have to field riders in E1, E2 and E3, with Italy choosing two E1 riders and one E2 rider in their elite team.

The Italian line ups are as follows:

World Trophy Team
Samuele Bernardini.
Thomas Oldrati
Alex Salvini
Andrea Verona

Junior Trophy Team
Morgan Lesiardo
Enrico Rinaldi
Claudio Spanu

Representatives from the FMI added their comments regarding their participation at the forthcoming ISDE:

Giovanni Copioli, FMI President: “We are the reigning champions and our tradition in Enduro is very established. Defending the titles, we won will be both an honour and a responsibility. We know we are amongst the most anticipated teams, and this will certainly be a further motivation for our riders, to whom I wish every success. All our boys have international experience; are high-level athletes and have always shown great enthusiasm in wearing the Blue Jersey. To them and to all the IMF staff I offer my strong support for this year’s ISDE.”

Franco Gualdi, FMI Enduro Committee Coordinator: “Italian Enduro is at the highest international level. This is demonstrated by the rankings of the World Championship where our riders are amongst the leading protagonists, the fact that many riders are competing in the World Championship races is directly due to results achieved wearing the Blue Jersey. Our athletes will do their utmost to confirm themselves at the top of the national team competition and all federation staff will strive to ensure they receive maximum support. The ISDE is a race in which team spirit is fundamental in every aspect and I can guarantee that it is very present in our team.”

Cristian Rossi, FMI Enduro Technical Director: “We have results that on paper show that we can be very competitive as demonstrated by our riders, on an individual level, during this season. We are going to confirm last year’s results, because we are the reigning champions, with all the technical and human qualities to be able to do well. I expect a fight at the top in each category, with several rivals bent on winning the Trophies. Italy will be able to count on both young and experienced riders, certainly all very enthusiastic to be part of this challenge.”