The second day of racing in this year’s 6DAYS® FIM Enduro of Nations saw Italy continue to lead the way in the World Trophy competition in Grândola, Portugal.
A change of leaderboard in theJunior World Trophy category resulted in France emerging from a dusty Day Two with the race lead, while the United States remain out front in the MOTOREX Women’s World Trophy class.
The dust in Grândola continued to test the riders in this year’s 6DAYS® Portugal. Numerous nations fell foul of the conditions, but for Great Britain, Day Two was one to forget. Hopes of any podium result evaporated when they lost a rider in all three of the World Trophy classes. The World Trophy category also saw Poland and Guatemala join Great Britain and Australia in the list of retirements.
“Unfortunately for us, losing Jamie [McCanney] has knocked us out of the running in the World Trophy race,” said Great Britain’s Jed Etchells (Sherco). “It’s a shame because we did have a good start on Day One. Now that we’re down to three riders, we’ll try to do the best we can individually.”
Italy remain the nation to beat in World Trophy
In the World Trophy class, defending champions Italy extended their leadto three-minutes-and-twenty-four-seconds over France in second position on Day Two. With all four riders placing inside the top twenty overall, plus benefiting from Andrea Verona (KTM) and Morgan Lesiardo (Triumph) finishing second and fourth, respectively, they are proving a dominant force in this year’s 6DAYS®.
France, led by Zach Pichon (TM MOTO) in third overall, were able to keep Italy within range, but will need to pull back some of their deficit on Day Three in order to prevent the Italians from marching ahead.
“Today was much more difficult than yesterday,” said France’s Leo Joyon (Triumph). “The conditions of the tests were very worn and it was hard to attack. As a team, we really pulled together and could keep the pressure on Italy. With a new course tomorrow, we hope to close the gap.”
Sweden continue to hold onto thirdoverall. However, by losing some more time to France, they are now over one-minute-and-twenty-two-seconds behind. But with their favoured sandy conditions still to come, they have time to fight back.
A better day for the United States saw them both capitalise on the loss of Great Britain by moving into fourth, but also gain some ground on Sweden. Now just one-minute-and-thirteen-seconds behind the Swedes, hunting down that podium position will be on their minds when starting out tomorrow.
Spain, spurred on by Josep García (KTM) claiming the outright individual win today, complete Day Two in fifth.
France move ahead of Italy in Junior World Trophy title fight
The Junior World Trophy category saw the battle for overall honours intensify between Italy and France,with France emerging from Day Two as the new leaders. Despite some injury concerns surrounding Italy’s Kevin Cristino (Husqvarna), the Italian toughed it out to keep themselves in the fight.
However, France knew Italy were racing wounded and looked to capitalise. With all three riders – Thibault Giraudon (Fantic), Clement Clauzier (Beta) and Romain Dagna (KTM) – riding strong, they finished today with a twenty-nine-second advantage over Italy in second.
“It’s been a great day for us as a team,” said France’s Romain Dagna (KTM).“To take over the lead in the Junior World Trophy class is great. The fight is good with Italy. Today they had some problems that we could benefit from, but we had some mistakes too, that we can work on.
“I hurt my hand yesterday and that was a bit of a struggle during the first lap. Thankfully, I was able to manage it and keep pushing until the end of the day. I think we are all looking forward to some new special tests tomorrow.”
Another strong ride by the United States saw them maintain their position of third overall. Although two-minutes-and-twenty-five-seconds behind France, their gap to Italy has reduced to one-minute-and-twenty-four-seconds. At the end of Day Two, but have Spain hold fourth,now extended their lead to almost five minutes on Chile, who are now fifth.
United States continued to lead MOTOREX Women’s World Trophy
In the MOTOREX Women’s World Trophy class, the United States remain out front at the end of Day Two. With riders Brandy Richards (KTM) and Korie Steede (Husqvarna) finishing first and second, they were able to extend their lead to almost four minutes over Australia.
However, Australia are not giving up without a fight in this year’s 6DAYS®. An incredible ride by all three riders saw Danielle McDonald (Yamaha), Madi Simpson (Yamaha) and Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) finishing third, fourth and fifth, respectively, to keep the pressure firmly on their rivals.
“It’s been a good day for us,” said Simpson.“We are pushing hard and doing our best to fight for the overall victory each day. I had a few crashes today, and didn’t quite meet my potential, but my teammates made up for it with their results.”
The United States and Australia have begun to distance themselves from the rest of the nations in the MOTOREX Women’s World Trophy competition, with third-placed France now over twenty minutes adrift. France are over ten minutes ahead of Portugal in fourth, with New Zealand rounding out the top five.
Winning ride by Spain’s Josep García on Day Two
With an improved starting position for Day Two, García came out fighting this morning, posting the fastest time on the opening special test. Verona responded strongly to win the following test. With the duo sharing the remainder of special test wins, it was García who topped the final special test to win the day by just two seconds over Verona.
“The plan was to go full gas from the beginning,” admitted García. “All was going well until I had a big crash on the penultimate special test, but thankfully, I was able to come back on the final test and win the day.”
Unable to join the battle between García and Verona, Pichon finished over twenty-seven seconds behind them in third. Lesiardo and Sweden’s Max Ahlin (Honda) were fourth and fifth, respectively.
García extended his overall lead in Enduro1 by taking victory on Day Two. Lesiardo took second, with Italy’s Samuele Bernardini (Honda) once again finishing third.
Although losing the outright win to García, Verona still did enough to claim a comfortable victory in Enduro2. Pichon placed second, with Ahlin rounding out the top three.
The Enduro3 class saw France’s Julien Roussaly (Sherco) top the standings for the second day running. Great Britain’s Brad Freeman (Beta) finished just six seconds behind him as runner-up, with Sweden’s Albin Norrbin (Husqvarna) edging out Italy’s Alberto Elgari (TM MOTO) by less than one second for third.
The Women’s category marked a clean sweep of special test wins for Richards on Day Two. The American continues to set the pace and is proving tough to beat. Her teammate, Steede took second, but faced a strong challenge from McDonald in third. McDonald led home her teammates Simpson and Gardiner in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Team Italy lead Club Team Award after Day Two
In the Club Team Award class, Team Italy fought their way to the front of the field and now lead Team Rabaconda in second by two-minutes-and-eighteen seconds. Missouri Mudders remain in third, with Cymru Wales A and GTBN completing the top five.
The Veteran Club Team class is led by Team Motokrosova Skola CZ, with Gottbros Team in second. Cone Valve Team-M.C. Sitge complete the top three. Rogershill Women’s Team reached the end of Day Two in the Women’s Club Team.
After two tough and demanding days of racing, riders can now look forward to a new course for Day Three. Competitors will take on a return loop from Grândola to Santiago do Cacém, which will be completed twice.
Can’t be at the 6DAYS® Portugal in person?
Then tune into FIM-MOTO.TV to experience the historic 100th edition of the FIM 6DAYS® FIM Enduro of Nations, taking place in Grândola, Portugal, from 12-17 October. For just €10.90, you’ll get live action each day, with live streaming of the Final Special Test covering the World Trophy, Junior Trophy, Women’s Trophy and Club Teams, plus the 6DAYS® Studio Show featuring daily interviews with the top riders and Enduro experts, live from the heart of theParc Fermé. There will also be live coverage of the Final Cross Test, the Awards Ceremony, as well as event replays, allowing you to relive all the biggest battles and moments whenever you want. Register now on FIM-MOTO.TV and don’t miss the LIVE ACTION!
The 100th edition of the 6DAYS® FIM Enduro of Nations will take place in Grândola, Portugal, from 12-17 October. Visit the official event website for more information.
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