2012 FIM International Six Days Enduro France lead FIM World Trophy competition, Italy ahead in FIM Junior World Trophy
Day One: The 87th edition of the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Saxony, Germany got off to a dramatic start with France taking an early lead in the FIM World Trophy team competition. Italy are the surprise leaders of the FIM Junior World Trophy classification at the end of day one while France also etched out an early lead in the FIM Women’s World Trophy team event.
In the FIM World Trophy Team competition France claimed an early, and sizeable, advantage. With Pela Renet – Husaberg securing the outright individual victory, and with four of the team’s riders finishing inside the overall top six, France look certain to be a tough team to beat. Finishing as runner up to France on day one, Australia placed over four minutes adrift. Behind the leading two nations defending champions Finland ended their day in third position – edging out Spain by less than four seconds. With Spain just missing out on a top three result, Italy placed over two minutes behind to complete the top five in the FIM World Trophy competition.
In the FIM Junior World Trophy team classification Italy proved that they will be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s event as they topped the overall standings. With team leader Thomas Oldrati -Husaberg placing inside the top twenty in the outright classification, the Italian quartet lead nearest rivals Great Britain by over seventy seconds. Getting their participation in the FIM ISDE off to a strong start, Great Britain placed one-minute and forty-five seconds clear of third placed Australia. As defending champions France recovered from a disastrous start to their title defence to end day one in fourth. With team member Kevin Rohmer – Yamaha crashing out of the competition on lap one, France now only have three riders for the remainder of the event.
Like their FIM World Trophy team compatriots France also got off to the best start possible in the FIM Women’s World Trophy team competition and head the standings. Already almost eight minutes clear of nearest rivals Australia, the French trio look to be the team to beat. Behind them the battle for the runner up position is a tightly contested affair between Australia and home nation Germany. Finishing just over one-minute behind in third position, Germany will look to close the gap to Australia on day two. USA and Finland complete the top five.
In the individual classification, Antoine Meo – KTM grabbed an early lead in the Enduro 1 class to place twelve seconds clear of his nearest rival, Finland’s Eero Remes – KTM while Spain’s Lorenzo Santolino – Husqvarna completed the top three. Boosted by his victory in the outright classification Pela Renet also topped the Enduro 2 category. Finishing thirty-four seconds behind the Husaberg rider France’s Johnny Aubert – KTM ended his day in second with Finland’s Juha Salminen – Husqvarna in third. Adding to the French celebrations on day one, KTM’s Christophe Nambotin edged out Australia’s Toby Price – KTM by four seconds to claim the Enduro 3 class win on day one with Sweden’s Joakim Ljunggren – Husaberg placing third.
Live and full event results can be found at www.fim-isde-live.info
Team Ireland await the start of day one... Image: © Enduro21.com
Irish Results:
Club Team:
59th – TORC Ireland
#447 Seamus Muldoon – 1:24:19.05
#547 Paul McLoughlin 1:21:36.66
#647 John Lynch 2:01:26.27
75th Fast Lane Ireland
#418 Alan Flinter 1:50:34.42
#518 Phillip Caldwell 1:38:51.79
#618 Thomas Domican 2:28:26.69
*** No problems reported as yet from the Irish riders, Day one went quite smooth, everybody just eager to get going and settle into things. Phillip Caldwell reported that there was one tough hill climb on the liasion section that caused a slight problem but nothing they haven’t ever seen back home. John Lynch was a bit nervous before he has to roll off the start line on day one but is quickly getting used to the enormity of the event. Weather’s been sunny so far so they’re determined to make the most of it as the forecast predicts rain later in the week. Onwards and upwards…
Robert