Steady Start for Brits
By TMX Archives on 4th Oct 13
After weeks of waiting, the centennial edition of the International Six Days Enduro finally began in anger in Olbia, Sardinia. Already, its defending champions France that have asserted themselves as the early leader of theWorld Trophy and Junior World Trophy team competitions while Australia hold an early advantage in the Womens World Trophy team classification.
With heavy overnight rain greeting the 627 riders entered in this year's race - that marks 100 years since the ISDE first began - many expected day one to be muddy. Unfortunately, the rain did little but keep the dust down for the first few riders that arrived to the opening test.
Midway through the day conditions began to worsen as the billowing clouds of dust lingered above the special tests.
For those fortunate to carry a low starting number, day one offered a great opportunity to gain valuable time on those starting further back.
Topping the standings at the end of day one, France are off to a perfect start in the World Trophy team classification. With Antoine Meo (KTM) and Johnny Aubert (KTM) ending day one third and fourth in the overall individual standings,
France hold a one minute and 15 second lead over the United States while Italy are a further 11 seconds behind in third.
Starting strongly, Great Britain are sixth after day one. With all six riders performing admirably, it was TM's Jordan Rose that led the Brits home on day one despite being hampered by jetting issues. Now settled into the race, the Senior squad are keen to improve their position.
In the Junior World Trophy team it's France that maintain the upper hand after day one. Unlike their exploits in 2012, all four riders of team France made it to the finish at the end of day one. Chasing them home for second, host nation Italy are only two seconds behind.
With the support of the local crowd behind them, the Italians will be a strong threat for top honours in this year's race.
The United States are third with Great Britain seven seconds behind the US in fourth. Day one was slightly difficult for GB. Despite ending it fourth overall in the Junior standings, Jamie McCanney (Husaberg) was also plagued with jetting issues.
With the problem resolved McCanney can now up his pace for the remainder of the week.
In the Women's race, it's Australia who are out front. With Tayla Jones – KTM and Jessica Gardiner – Sherco ending day one in first and second respectively, the Aussies are over one-minute clear of Sweden. Losing a rider on day one, France dropped back to third place.
Turning heads, Aussie Daniel Milner (Yamaha) claimed a surprising win in the overall individual classification. The Australian 4 Day Enduro winner edged out newly crowned Enduro 2 World champion Alex Salvini (Honda) by one second to top the time sheets.
Salvini picked up a weird injury on day one when a thorn became lodged in his arm. Mixing things up Enduro 1 World champion Antoine Meo has switched to the Enduro 3 class for the ISDE. Already up to speed he won the E3 class on day one to finish third overall.
In the Club team event, Scotland are right in the mix of things, the highland trio of Ricky Mair (KTM), Fraser Norrie (KTM) and Neil Chatham (KTM) ended day one third overall.
With five days left to run and plenty of dust expected, the outcome of this year's ISDE is far from resolved.
