The world’s elite dirt bike racers are braced and ready to take on the 96th International Six Days Enduro, this 2022 edition set to kick off at Le Puy-en-Velay, in southern France, starting on Monday.
Leading riders are expected to include Italy’s Gas Gas factory rider Andrea Verona (pictured), Australian TM factory racer Wil Ruprecht and Spain’s Red Bull KTM factory racer Josep Garcia, the top three men overall at this year’s FIM EnduroGP World Championships, but there is a brave contingent of New Zealand riders too who might fancy their chances.
The senior “New Zealand Trophy Team” comprises Helensville’s Tom Buxton, Cambridge’s Dylan Yearbury, Oratia’s Callan May and Whanganui’s Seth Reardon.
The “New Zealand Junior Team” is Oparau’s James Scott, Wairoa’s Tommy Watts and Taupo’s Wil Yeoman.
Rangiora’s Ben Dando, Waitoki’s Ben Cottrill and Helensville’s Josh Jack will also tackle the ISDE and will be on standby as reserve riders if a current Trophy or Junior team member becomes injured.
Yearbury, Reardon, Watts and Scott have been champions on the New Zealand scene in recent years, Yearbury twice winning the national enduro crown in back-to-back seasons, in 2021 and 2022, with Reardon winning it in 2019. Watts was the 2021 national cross-country champion and Scott wrapped up the 2022 cross-country title earlier this season.
Even with such credentials, the Kiwis know they will really be up against it when racing the world’s elite such as Verona, Ruprecht and Garcia.
Leading Team Italy in their ISDE World Trophy title defence, World EnduroGP champion Verona is fired up for the event.
The young Italian knows exactly what it takes to climb up onto the top step of the ISDE podium, having won the Enduro1 category last year while also playing an instrumental role in ensuring Italy topped the illustrious World Trophy team competition.
“My season up to now has been really good. I was able to claim the Enduro1 title with one round to spare, and I still have a good lead in the EnduroGP standings,” said Verona.
“It definitely helps to be able to arrive at the Six Days having already won the E1 title. It’s not ideal for us riders to have the ISDE in the middle of the championship, but it’s like this and for now we have to focus on the Six Days.
“Obviously, I want to go into the event and give 100%. It was amazing to win both my class and the World Trophy last year and the goal is to help Team Italy to keep hold of that trophy. I think we have a good team for this year, but the competition is as high as ever, so I think it will be a really good fight. I love the typical French tests, and although it looks like it will be a tough event this year, I think it should suit me well. Time to give full gas – let’s go!”
Virtually unbeaten in this year’s FIM Enduro1 World Championship, Verona won every day except one on his way to claiming the title. On the day he didn’t win, he came second.
It’s this consistency that has also earned the EC 250F rider the lead in the overall EnduroGP category, where he sits at the top of the standings with a sizeable 28-point advantage.
Looking to carry that speed and consistency to the ISDE, Verona knows the task ahead of him is by no means small, but with a strong Italian team behind him, the GasGas star is 100% focused on the win.
And leading Spain’s World Trophy team into the event, his rival Garcia will be aiming to repeat the overall individual event win he secured last year in Italy.
Joining Garcia in France, FMF KTM Factory Racing riders Josh Toth, Kailub Russell and Dante Oliveira will be representing the USA in their World Trophy team, with KTM-supported Brandy Richards looking to repeat her win from last year in the Women’s World Trophy.
Coming into this year’s event as the ISDE reigning individual champion, Garcia has endured a mixed season of EnduroGP racing.
Showing impressive speed from the very first round, the young Spaniard was well in the fight for both EnduroGP and Enduro2 class honours.
A crash and subsequent thumb injury forced Garcia to unfortunately miss round four in Portugal, but on his return to action in Slovakia he was immediately on the pace and on the podium.
A double victory at the penultimate round in Hungary proved he is back to his best and fully ready to take on the ISDE.
“After my injury in Italy I think I’m back to 100%. I was able to take a double win at the GP of Hungary, so that’s really good news ahead the ISDE,” said Garcia.
“Of course, the Six Days is all about the team competition and I feel we have a really strong line-up and should be in a good position to fight for the top step of the podium.
“My personal goal is to repeat the overall win from last year. For sure, it’s going to be tough – there are many good riders racing this year, but I think if everything goes well, and the tests suit my style, I should be in the fight. France always delivers really interesting tests, so I’m really looking forward to getting started at this year’s event.”
The ISDE will run from Monday, August 29, through to Saturday, September 3.
From the paddock based near Loudes airport, riders will face five full days of competition, covering around 200 kilometres each day. On the Saturday, the traditional final motocross test will confirm the race winners and bring the 2022 event to a close.
Visit the official site for the 2022 ISDE by clicking HERE
Photo courtesy GasGas
Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here