It is all systems go as the FIM International Six Day’s Enduro (ISDE) is about to get underway in San Juan, Argentina. Following many months of preparation, the build up towards the ninety-seventh edition of the longest running off-road motorcycle race on the FIM calendar is nearly complete, with machines already in the parc ferme ahead of the first day of racing on Monday 6 November.
With the paddock at the Villicum Circuit a mass of activity, competitors, supporters, and fans from across the world have gathered in San Juan for the most important annual competition in enduro. Great Britain is set to defend their titles in the FIM World Trophy and FIM Women’s World Trophy categories, while Italy will aim for their third consecutive victory in the FIM Junior World Trophy class.
Over ten years since the 6DAYS® was last held in San Juan, Argentina, six days of demanding racing lies ahead, with the three hundred and forty plus competitors from over thirty nations ready to face a tough, physical, but fulfilling week of racing.
Organisers and race personnel have been busy crafting three different loops of over one hundred and ten kilometres in length around the region’s mountains and rugged countryside. With each loop ridden twice per day, plus the day six Cross Test, riders will complete over fifteen hundred kilometres of riding, ensuring the 6DAYS® remains a true test of rider and machine.
In the FIM World Trophy class it’s Great Britain who arrive as the defending champions. After close to a seventy year wait, last year Great Britain finally won back the 6DAYS® crown they last held in 1953. Fielding yet another world class team, they will be pushing hard to make it two wins in a row.
However, with twelve nations entered in the FIM World Trophy category, competition for the top step of the podium come 11 November will be fierce. Vice champions in 2023, Italy hope to hit the ground running on day one in San Juan. Still chasing their debut FIM World Trophy victory, Spain also enter this year’s 6DAYS® on top form. They boast last year’s overall individual winner Josep Garcia (KTM) as one of their team leaders. France and the United States will also be nations to watch, while host country Argentina and Chile will look to deliver a memorable result in South America.
The FIM Junior World Trophy class sees Italy start as the defending champions. For the last two editions Italy have proved the nation to beat and would love to make it a hat trick of 6DAYS® wins in San Juan. Just missing the podium in 2022, Great Britain will be a strong threat to Italy, along with the United States. Hoping to excel on the Argentinian terrain, Sweden field a strong trio of young talent that should put them in the hunt for medals too.
In 2022, Great Britain secured their debut victory in the FIM Women’s World Trophy class to cap off a remarkable ninety-sixth edition of the 6DAYS® . This year the battle for the top step of the podium will be exciting among the eight teams entered. The United States seek redemption for their loss in 2022, while Australia is chasing a record-breaking seventh win. France, Canada, Germany, the CONU Team from Latin American and Argentina are also in the mix for a strong result.
While the Trophy categories naturally grab most of the limelight, the ninety-seventh edition is heavily supported by amateur riders. Almost eighty Club Teams have entered. Here competitors from around the world will push themselves to the limit to fight for a medal result or simply complete one of enduro’s much-loved although hugely challenging events.
The 6DAYS® takes place in San Juan, Argentina from 6 to 11 November.
