Motorcycling Australia not sending teams to 2010 ISDE in Mexico

Below is the official press release put out by Motorcycling Australia regarding the 2010 ISDE set to be held in Mexico in early November (1-6th). The article alludes to the current circumstances in Mexico but doesn’t go much further. What it’s talking about is the current drug cartel war that rages on in Mexico. The cartel warfare was just 300km from Morelia, the city the event is to be held in. The shooting was also held close to a school; it’s no wonder that Motorcycling Australia has made the decision to not send a team, along with many other countries. It remains to be seen if the event will go ahead at all, especially if the situation worsens. Stay tuned for future updates.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) would like to advise it will not be sending Australian Teams to compete at the 2010 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) to be held in Morelia, Mexico on 1-6 November.

MA has made this decision after much consultation with a number of groups – including; the Australian Embassy in Mexico, a briefing held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and a number of riders and support crew members.

MA’s CEO David White said that while it has always been a priority within MA to support International team events, the safety and security of riders and support crews must always come first.

“Australia has a long and proud history of supporting the ISDE, which has made this decision all the more difficult,” White said.

“In addition to consulting with Government groups, MA has also taken advice from other sporting codes in relation to athlete and team security.

“A number of Australian riders and support crews have expressed their concern for sending Australian Teams to the event, with some withdrawing their names from the selection process.
“Unfortunately this decision could not be held off any longer due to the pressing nature of logistical issues in relation to transport and freighting if teams were to participate.”

Forced to make the decision based on current circumstances, the concerns of riders and support crew members, and all aspects of the event were put to an emergency meeting of the MA Board on Monday night.

“The Board, upon examining all the information presented, made the unanimous decision not to enter Australian Teams into the 2010 event,” White said.

“MA would like to wish the Organisers every success for the 2010 ISDE, and sincerely hope that our decision, based on current circumstances, will be proven unnecessary.”