Australia Is An ISDE Dominating Force

The sun has set on day two of the 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) and Australia has maintained a fantastic momentum across all three classes. Set once again against the stunning Pacific coastline, riders from 25 nations tackled the Pacific Challenge for two laps and six technical and slippery tests, spanning 284 kilometres in length. Due to deteriorating dry conditions, it was a physically tough and demanding day for all. 

Coming into day two, the Australian World Trophy Team had their sight set on destroying the four second lead Team USA held. The Australian Junior World Trophy Team also set plans to continue passing their international rivals and climb the leader board, with the hopes of overtaking the hosting nation, Chile, to take out fourth position. The Australian Women’s World Trophy Team had a superb Monday in day one of the ISDE and set out in day two to maintain their dominant lead ahead of Team USA.

World Trophy Team
Day one for the Australian World Trophy Team saw all four riders set a cracking pace, with Team USA leading by roughly four seconds overall. Upon reflecting on this short distance separating Australia from top position on the leader board, the team came into day two with a point to prove. The determination and perseverance of Team Australia shone through, as the Australian World Trophy Team knocked Team USA off their first-place perch, setting a cracking lead of just over 91 seconds! Daniel Milner set the pace, clocking in the fastest time of 54:56.44, which has now put him in first position overall. Daniel Sanders came in hot on Milner’s heels, with a fastest time of 55:13.66, which moves him up the overall leader board to second position. Closing off the day with a fastest time of 56:46.34 was Joshua Strang, who now sits at 14^th position overall. Unfortunately, Lyndon Snodgrass did not finish day two due to a bike malfunction as is now out for the remaining four days.

Leading the charge for the World Trophy Team, Milner sat down with Motorcycling Australia to reflect on today’s events, explaining; “I was on the first minute and didn’t have the dust ball in front of me, so it worked out really well! The team is going strong and “Chucky” and Josh are riding really well. Lyndon was doing fantastic too but unfortunately had a malfunction and is now out for the rest of the race. It means we’ve lost our joker rider, so the three of us have got to make sure we get out clean for the remaining four days and avoid any problems. We are also so lucky to have our supporters and surrounding team, who are really looking after us and helping us get the job done!”

Women’s World Trophy Team
Looking to the Australian Women’s World Trophy Team, day two was another scorcher on the track and the leader board, as the team maintained their first-place position ahead of USA, Spain, France and Sweden. Australia now leads the ISDE ahead of Team USA by just over three minutes, cementing their currently unrivalled teamwork and Enduro skills on an international platform. Following on from day one, Tayla Jones clocked in the fastest time for the team of 1:02:44.29, placing her in first position overall. Jessica Gardiner scored the second fastest time for the team of 1:05:11.03, and now sits in fourth position overall. This is an improvement for Gardiner, who took some time on Monday to find her feet and adjust to the challenging conditions. Debutante Mackenzie Tricker had another fantastic day, whose efforts have placed her in at seventh position overall.

Reflecting on the team efforts today in maintaining a secure lead ahead of Team USA, Gardiner noted; “Personally I rode much better today. There were still a few little mistakes in the test, but I definitely had a bit more fun on the bike today and found a better headspace. Of course, this is a team event and everyone is really working hard on the controls. Tayla and Mackenzie have ridden really well today as well, thankfully, and extended our lead quite a lot. So, fingers crossed we keep the ball rolling and keep it moving!”

Junior World Trophy Team
Climbing on up the leader board in the Junior Trophy Class in day two was the Australian Junior World Trophy Team, who fought through tough, dusty and slippery conditions to knock Chile off its perch to take fourth position. Ahead of Australia is Italy in first place, followed by USA and France, who the Australian Junior World Trophy Team currently trail by just under two minutes. Clocking in the fastest time for the team was Fraser Higlett with 57:12.50, placing him now at 26^th position overall. Following close behind Higlett was Thomas Mason with a fastest time of 58:24.45, sitting now 42^nd position overall. Rounding out the juniors is Andrew Wilksch, who came in hot behind Mason with a fastest time of 58:38.44, and now sits 44^th position overall. The determination of the Australian Junior World Trophy Team has been impressive, setting a clear tone for their remaining four days at the ISDE against France, USA and Italy.

Tomorrow, day three will take competitors inland on a new course offering a mixture of hard packed and rocky, mountainous terrains. The proposed two laps and six special tests will total three-hundred kilometres of riding and push riders to their limit as they manage the high heats and keep their bikes running steady!

World Trophy Team

• Daniel Milner
• Daniel Sanders
• Lyndon Snodgrass
• Joshua Strang

Women’s World Trophy Team

• Jessica Gardiner
• Tayla Jones
• Mackenzie Tricker

Junior World Trophy Team

• Fraser Higlett
• Tom Mason
• Andrew Wilksch

Team Manager – Don Atkins

For more information and to keep updated on all things ISDE, head to AORC.org.au and follow AORC and Motorcycling Australia (MA) on Facebook and Instagram! Be sure to also download the new FIM ISDE app to be at the heart of the action. The FIM ISDE app will allow you to follow live results, access latest news, riders’ profiles, general information, maps, ISDE history, images, videos and social media conversations.

Photos Courtesy of John Pearson Media