BETA’S HOLCOMBE SPEARHEADS GB’S HISTORIC ISDE WIN

Beta Factory Racing’s Steve Holcombe has helped Great Britain win the FIM International Six Days of Enduro for the first time since 1953. Marking a truly historic day for British enduro, Holcombe – joined by teammates Nathan Watson, Jamie McCanney, and Jed Etchells – won the coveted World Trophy competition in Le Puy-En-Velay, France. Individually, Holcombe ended the week-long race third in Enduro2 while also placing a solid fourth Overall.

Long regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in enduro, the 96^th edition of the ISDE was held in France this year. Returning to the annual event for the first time in nine years to compete as a member of the Great Britain’s World Trophy team, Holcombe was eager to represent his country to the best of his ability.

With Great Britain having missed the event in 2021, it meant Holcombe and his teammates faced a difficult day by starting at the rear of the field (the same predicament Australia’s Trophy teams found themselves in). Battling the dust and traffic on the special tests, they finished third on the opening day of competition.

An improved Day 2 starting position saw Holcombe race closer to the head of the field, allowing him to up his pace. Placing a well-earned fourth, the Brit had now settled into the race. Each following day, he chipped away at the race, constantly placing inside the top five Overall.

Helping to guide Great Britain to a historic World Trophy victory at the close of Day 6, Holcombe also cemented his Enduro2 podium result, while ending the FIM ISDE in fourth Overall.

Steve Holcombe: “It’s a huge honour to be part of the winning Great Britain team at the ISDE. It’s been an amazing week, a great event, and the result we were hoping for. We came here believing we could win, but in a race of this length you just never know how it will go. After the team missed last year’s ISDE, starting at the back on day one was tricky, but I rode patiently knowing there was a long week ahead. Each day, I kept plugging away at the results. I made some mistakes here and there, but overall, I’m pleased with my riding. It’s been a week to remember for sure, and I’m glad to have been a part of it all.”