The Kiwis have slipped back a little in their hunt for honours at the 2024 International Six Days Enduro in Spain, with Team New Zealand’s Women’s World Trophy Team class now 10th overall after Day Three.
The official three-rider Women’s World Trophy Team (WWT) from New Zealand comprises Te Awamutu’s Rachael Archer (Kawasaki, pictured here), Opunake’s Taylar Rampton (Husqvarna) and Tapanui’s Kylie Dorr (Beta), representing an historic first campaign by the Kiwis in the WWT class of this massive international competition.
Individually, Archer is still ranked 3rd in the 11-nation WWT class (and 99th overall alongside the men) after Day Three, while Dorr remains 31st in the WWT class (although improving to 134th overall alongside the men) and Rampton has slipped from 20th to 32nd (and is now 137th overall alongside the men).
The United States maintains its advantage in the WTT despite pressure from Australia.
There was no stopping the United States’ Brandy Richards on Day Three, who once again topped the WWT time sheets. Spain’s Mireia Badia came closest to Richards in second, while New Zealand’s Rachael Archer finished third.
At first glance, the United States looks to have control of things in the WTT section of the competition, thanks to a 3m 34s lead.
However, despite having taken big chunks out of their rivals Australia on days one and two, they only managed to extend its lead today by five seconds. With both nations having vast amounts of ISDE experience, the second half of this race could begin to tell a different story if Australia continues to apply the pressure.
Sweden completes the top three but are almost nine minutes behind Australia. However, they hold a 10m 20s lead over France in fourth. Spain completes the top five, with Italy in sixth.
“Due to a lot of injuries this season, my preparation coming into the ISDE was far from ideal, but I’m fighting hard,” said Italy’s Nocera.
“It’s my first time racing the ISDE too, so now that we’ve reached the end of day three, this is the longest I’ve ever raced. The body is feeling it for sure, but I’m determined to keep going.”
Meanwhile, Day Three saw France extending its lead in the premier World Trophy (WT) classification.
After two days of the Santiago loop, riders awoke on day three to a new course and a fresh set of special tests.
Already saturated terrain combined with unsettled weather resulted in organisers opting to use the Vilatuxe-Lalincourse, originally proposed for Day Four.
At the head of the WT classification, France set out to maintain their race lead. As they have done so far this week, the French quartet of Theo Espinasse, Hugo Blanjoue, Leo Le Quere and Julien Roussaly all placed at the sharp end of the results. With the four riders coming home inside the top 20, they now lead by more than seven minutes with three days remaining.
The fight for vice-championship saw the United States regroup and close in on Spain in second place. A superb ride by them reduced Spain’s advantage over the United States from 40s to just eight.
Ten minutes behind Spain and the United States, Australia is eight minutes clear of the Czech Republic, who hold down fifth. Belgium continues to place well sixth. Helped largely by Antoine Magain, who placed fourth outright on Day Three, they are keeping the pressure on the Czech Republic.
“The last two days have been really good,” said Magain. “On Day One I started at the back but moved forward these past days and have been able to ride a good pace. Today was very nice. With fresh special tests, the grass was a nice change to race on.
“It’s proving a tough race – the liaisons are challenging. But I’m feeling good on the bike and will keep my focus up to try and end the ISDE in the top 10.”
In the overall individual classification, the fight for outright honours continues to rage between Spain’s Josep Garcia and Great Britain’s Steve Holcombe. With Holcombe winning day two, Garcia responded in style today to top the time sheets in Galicia. With Holcombe second, France’s Theo Espinasse delivered another impressive ride in third.
The Enduro1 category saw victory on day three go to Garcia, with Espinasse 40s behind in second. France’s Hugo Blanjoue took third. Holcombe topped Enduro2 for the third day in a row. Italy’s Samuele Bernardini made it a Honda one-two with second place, while Sweden’s Max Ahlin was third. Day Three was one to remember for Antoine Magain, with the Belgian winning Enduro3. Italy’s Kevin Cristino and Matteo Cavallo rounded out the top three.
Kiwi fans will be impressed also with Thames rider Chris Birch (KTM), a former winner of the famous Red Bull Romaniacs hard enduro in Romania, who is riding as part of the KTM All Star Team in the “Club” grade.
Birch remains 44th overall individual in the Club class ranks after Day Three.
Palmerston North rider Liam Ellis is the only other New Zealand rider listed among the entries and he is racing his KTM motorcycle in the C2 Club class as part of a three-rider Oceania squad.
Ellis is still 61st overall individual in the Club ranks after Day Three.
The New Zealand ISDE campaign is supported by Ward Demolition, MJH Engineering Ltd, FIM Oceania, Macaulay Metals, Signbiz, Kiwi Rider Magazine, Silver-Bullet, New Plymouth Underwater, Hirepool and Motorcycling New Zealand.
Photo by Pole Position Communication
© Words by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
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