By: Derek Blais | August 30th, 2021

Anson Maloney, Day 1 Cross Test 5

The racing has begun in Italy for the 2021 International Six Days of Enduro!  The first competitors got off the line around 8:00am this morning.  After riding 195 kilometers with six special test sections thrown in, the American team is off to a great start.

The U.S. World Trophy Team is sitting in 3rd position after day 1, even after Taylor Robert's crash during the very first test section.  They are only 52.64 seconds behind the leading Italian team, and .27 seconds behind 2nd place Spain.  This is some tight racing.  France (-1 minute 19 seconds) and Sweden (-2 minutes 25 seconds) round out the top five. Expect the four American riders to continue to push the pace over the next five days.

In Women’s World Trophy, the American team jumped out to a dominant early lead.  Brandy Richards was flying, and the ladies hold a 3 minute 18 second lead over the second-place team from Spain.  If they keep riding fast and consistent the rest of the week, great things are ahead for the American Women.  Great Britain, Portugal, and France are the remainder of the top five Women’s teams.

In Junior World Trophy, Team United States is in 3rd place after the first day of racing.  Dante Oliveira was the fastest of the group, but Cody Barnes was only 19 seconds slower, and Austin Walton was only 14 seconds behind Barnes.  This is a really fast group of young riders.  They are 1 minute 7 seconds behind the first-place Italian team.  France is in second position, with Sweden and Spain sitting in 4th and 5th places.

In the quest to win the Club Cup, the U.S. teams are all off to a good start!  In particular, the GTBN (Good Team, Bad Name) group is in 3rd position behind the Italian A and B teams after day one.  Just as impressive is the MojoMotoSport Club Team’s effort, with fast times from all three riders.  They finished the day in 7th place out of 156 teams, just 6 minutes back from the leaders.  Keep it up guys!

Anthony Ferrante, Day 1 Enduro Test 4

Josh Knight, Day 1 Cross Test 5

NGCP/D37/NHHA – 8th position

Trail Pros. US Sprint Enduro – 9th position

Eric Cleveland Memorial – 10th position

Elizabeth Scott Community – 29th position

Missouri Mudders – 30th position

With 5 Club Teams in the top ten, Team U.S.A. is looking very good at the end of the first day. 

Day 2 will be a repeat of the same 195-kilometer course and tests from Day 1, but look for the rider times to improve since they’re familiar with the loop.

Overall, the opening day of racing in the 2021 ISDE was very successful for the 31 American racers.  But to be successful over six days of competition, riders need a combination of speed, consistency, health, a reliable motorcycle, and a whole lot of luck.  We have every reason to be optimistic, so let’s keep it going!  GO TEAM U.S.A.!!

LIVE RESULTS LINKED BELOW
https://fim-isde.com/2021-results/