Team Australia increased their lead in this year’s International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) with a winning ride on day two in Portugal.
Continuing to establish themselves as the nation to beat, both the Australian World Trophy and Junior World Trophy teams topped their respective categories.
In the Women’s World Trophy class there was a change in the lead with the United States moving past Germany and to the top of the standings.
At the head of the World Trophy team, it was RecoveR8 Team Australia, fronted by a hard-charging Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna), who led the way. With Sanders winning all-but-one of the day’s seven special tests, they extended their advantage to 50 seconds over closest rivals, the United States.
Once again proving the closest challenger to the Australians, USA worked hard to see all four of their riders finish inside the top 15 overall. While the gap between the leading two nations remains relatively close, the two nations have pulled notably clear of the competition in Portimao.
Italy remain in third but are now over five minutes off the lead. “Australia and United States are incredibly fast,” said Italian team member Davide Guarneri. “They are setting the pace for sure. We are looking forward to what tomorrow will bring and will try to close the gap. But at the moment we need them to make a mistake, which hasn’t happened yet!”
Great Britain ended day two 40 seconds behind Italy in fourth, but extend their advantage over fifth-placed Finland to one-minute and 30 seconds. Spain completes the top-six thanks to the strong efforts of Josep Garcia (KTM). Currently second outright to Sanders and leading the Enduro 1 category he is enjoying his ISDE return.
Matching their World Trophy teammates, Australia also extended their lead in the Junior World Trophy class. Clearly enjoying the rough and sandy conditions, the Australians are now almost three and a half minutes ahead of the United States in second.
Defending champions Italy move up to third on day two. Spurred on by the performance of Andrea Verona, they will look to bridge the two-minute gap to the United States on day three.
Losing time on the leaders, France slip to fourth in classification and sit 27 seconds behind Italy. Great Britain rounds out the top five but will need to keep a watchful eye on Spain in sixth, who will look to improve on favourable conditions for day three.
Proving the team to beat on day two, the United States surged to the top of the Women’s World Trophy class. They now lead the proceedings by one-minute and eight seconds over Germany.
After their winning ride on the opening day, Germany struggled to match the pace of the Americans and defending champions Australia. With the Australians racing to second on the day, they move within striking distance of overtaking Germany.
Great Britain remains in fourth with Jane Daniels (Husqvarna) delivering the team’s best result of fourth.
In the Enduro 1 class, Garcia continued his winning ways of day one. Establishing himself as the rider to beat, the Spaniard won all seven special tests, extending his advantage to a commanding two minutes and 25 seconds.
United States teammates Taylor Robert and Kailub Russell (Both KTM) lead the way in Enduro 2, with Robert topping the final three special tests to lead Russell by 21 seconds.
As the leading rider in this year’s ISDE, Daniel Sanders also heads the Enduro 3 category. Now over four minutes clear of Great Britain’s Danny McCanney (TM) in second, he has got plenty of breathing room as they face a new course for day three.
In the Enduro Women’s class, the battle for victory was played out between the USA’s Brandy Richards (KTM) and Germany’s Maria Franke (KTM). Richards beat her rival by seven seconds to extend her overall lead over Franke to 22 seconds. Behind the leading duo, Australian Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) is third, with Jane Daniels 29 seconds behind in fourth
Day three sees competitors facing a new course and set of special stages on the Monchique Challenge route with a total distance of 266 kilometres to be covered. The FIM Vintage Trophy also gets underway with an initial acceleration test.
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