MOTO-MATILDAS FLY SOLO FOR 2023 ISDE

About a year ago, just prior to the Aussie teams flying out to France for the 2022 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), we spoke exclusively to Australia’s Team Manager, AJ Roberts, about the escalating logistical challenges the French event posed for our teams; a situation caused largely by skyrocketing international freight costs. During that revealing interview, Roberts also predicted even tougher and more expensive hurdles that many countries would face in getting to South America to compete in the 2023 ISDE in Argentina.

“In the past, for a ‘normal’ ISDE in Europe, you’ve basically had the Aussies and Americans who shipped containers to the event,” Roberts explained last year. “The rest are already in Europe. With the 2023 ISDE in Argentina, however, the Americans will simply drive south to the event, and everyone else will have to ship containers to South America. That’s 30 countries who’ll want shipping containers. And that’s going to be interesting!”

Well, how prophetic those comments from Roberts were. This week’s announcement from Motorcycling Australia (MA) confirms recent speculation that Australia would not be sending a full complement of teams – World Trophy (senior men’s), Junior Trophy (under 23 men’s) and Women’s Trophy – to this November’s ISDE in Argentina. In fact, MA confirm that Australia would only be sending our Women’s Trophy team.

Here’s the recent PR from MA, which explains the decision…

Motorcycling Australia and the ISDE Management Team has confirmed its decision to exclusively field a Women’s Trophy Team at the upcoming International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) 2023 in San Juan, Argentina, from November 6-11.

The (ISDE) is a prestigious and renowned event that epitomizes the essence of off-road motorcycle racing. With a history dating back over a century, ISDE gathers the world’s most skilled and daring riders from various corners of the globe. Held annually, this gruelling competition challenges participants through demanding terrain, pushing the limits of endurance, precision and adaptability.

Team Australia will be represented by the vastly experienced, multiple-time Australian Off-Road Champion, seven-time Australian 4-Day Enduro Champion, and six-time ISDE Women’s Trophy Team winner, Jessica Gardiner. Alongside Jess will be six-time ISDE Women’s Trophy Winner, three-time GNCC Champion and six-time Sprint Enduro Champion, Tayla Jones, and multiple Junior Girls Australian Off-Road Champion and four-time Hattah Race Champion, Danielle McDonald.

The significantly increased financial burdens encompassing travel, accommodation, and logistics to and from South America have posed an insurmountable challenge in sending representatives across all classes. Moreover, the limited access to crucial resources, including specialized and competitive equipment, spare parts, and technical support, has left MA and the ISDE Management Team to carefully reconsider the scale of this year’s Australian representation.

In addition, several regular Australia factory-contracted riders were unavailable to commit to the event, due to existing commitments.

All efforts will be made to field a full Australian Team in 2024 when the ISDE heads back to Spain.

SUPPORT THE AUSSIE WOMEN’S TEAM

Jess Gardiner has set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $60,000 to help cover costs for the Australian Women’s teams in getting to and competing in Argentina. Click here for more details and to contribute.

For more info about each of Australia’s 2023 Women’s ISDE team members, check out: