Aussie at ISDE: Day 4 Recap

Stepping into the second half of the 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) campaign in Chile, our three Aussie World Trophy teams are killing it. We have our Men’s and Women’s teams both in the lead but a decent margin and our Junior team is sitting in fifth place after Day 4 of competition. To catch up on Day 4’s action, here’s the official news from Motorcycling Australia…

As the sun sets in Chile on day four of the 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), Australia have maintained their impressive lead whilst tackling the high temperatures and impenetrable dust. Day four took our riders across the same 150-kilometre course and special tests as day three, delivering competitors with a rocky terrain that proved another long and demanding day in the saddle.

Team Australia came into day four with the same insatiable positivity and comradery seen in the past three days, delivering once again the heat to our international rivals. The Australian World Trophy Team and the Women’s World Trophy Team used day four to gain further ground on Team USA, increasing their lead as the ISDE moves into its final two days. The Australian Junior World Trophy Team maintained a strong lead ahead of Sweden to hold fifth position.

World Trophy Team

Day four for the Australian World Trophy Team was nothing short of spectacular, as the increased their distance from Team USA to just shy of six minutes! The team effort has ensured Australia remains in first position, which sets exciting precedent as we move into the final two days! Behind Australia sits USA, Italy, France and Spain respectively, with Spain trailing behind Australia by just under 14 minutes. Australia’s fastest time was once again scored by Daniel Milner, of 42:57.89, who continues to comfortably remain in first position overall. Daniel Sanders came in hot after Milner with the fastest time of 43:37.75, and has now moved into second place overall, knocking Team USA’s Taylor Robert off his perch. Joshua Strang once again rounded out the World Trophy Team’s immense efforts in the Chilean heat, clocking the fastest time of 44:55.24, which has accordingly secured his position at 10^th overall. Based on the individual and collaborative team efforts in day four, Australia’s full team are now all in the top 10 overall.

Women’s World Trophy Team

Looking to our fifth consecutive winners, the Australian Women’s World Trophy Team, day four was another fantastic day that proved just how skilled our three ladies are as they hold the lead for a fourth consecutive day. Team Australia now leads the class ahead of Team USA by eight minutes, with Spain, France and Sweden following thereafter to round out the top five overall. Tayla Jones lead the charge for Team Australia in day four, clocking in a fastest time of 51:33.31, which further cements her first-place position overall ahead of Team USA’s Brandy Richards. Jessica Gardiner scored the second fastest time for the team of 53:38.76, however due to the tough conditions and the heat of riders including Brandy Richards and Livia Lancelot, Gardiner has moved to fourth position overall. Mackenzie Tricker had a challenging day today as she navigated the rocky terrain alongside the stifling heat and blinding dust, moving from seventh to 12^th position overall.

Reflecting on today’s course and special tests, Tayla Jones noted; “day four was pretty good! I had a couple of crashes which took up a bit of time, but I made up all the hills which I’m happy about. The rock test got rough really quick though, so I struggled to manage that test. Overall though today was another good day, I got another day win and the team made up more time which I’m absolutely stoked about! Hopefully we can keep it up tomorrow and stay safe!”

Junior World Trophy Team

Turning now to our Australian Junior World Trophy Team, day four proved to be another fantastic display of our upcoming Australian Enduro talent as Team Australia continues to hold their fifth-place position. Chile continues to sit in fourth position ahead of Australia and gained further ground during the day’s course and tests, leading by just under 10 minutes. The class is currently lead by Italy in first place, then followed by USA and France in second and third. Fraser Higlett once again lead the charge for Australia in day four, clocking in a fastest time of 45:43.57, and now made a massive jump in the overall leader board to 23^rd place! Andrew Wilksch scored the second fastest time for Australia of 47:42.59, and has moved into the top 50 overall, scoring 46^th position. Rounding out Australia’s impressive efforts in day four was Thomas Mason, with a fastest time of 51:53.30, who now sits at 70^th position overall. Mason’s efforts in tackling today’s course and tests reflects the punishing conditions experienced in day three and four and the clear mindset all riders need as they face each day’s challenges.

With four tough days of racing complete, competitors are beginning to see the home stretch with just two days remaining. The penultimate day marks the final day of traditional timecard Enduro racing, before concluding with the Motocross race on Saturday 17 November in Viña del Mar.