France further extended their advantage at the head of the standings on day two of the FIM International Six DaysEnduro (ISDE) in San Juan, Argentina. After a strong opening day of competition, the French set about building theirlead in the FIM World Trophy classification. Now firmly settled into the eighty-ninth edition of the race, the six-manteam worked hard to increase their advantage to over six minutes from Australia. With Pierre-Alexandre Renet –Husqvarna topping the individual overall standings for the second day running, and with all six of their riderspositioned inside the top twenty, France are already looking increasingly difficult to beat.Behind the leaders day two saw a shake-up in the battle for the final two steps of the podium. Runner-up on day onethe United States – now down to five riders – dropped two places to fourth when Charlie Mullins – KTM crashedheavily on more than one occasion. Clearing enjoying the rough and demanding special tests, Australia delivered astrong performance to move up one position to second. Also benefiting from the USA’s on going run of ill luck, Spainmoved into podium contention and hold a thirty-six second advantage over the USA. Maintaining their top fiveplacing, Germany end day two in fifth.In the FIM Junior World Trophy category, Australia still control the race lead, but face strong opposition from amotivated United States. Claiming the Junior World Trophy win on day two, the USA pushed their way past Franceinto second and trail Australia by just twenty-two seconds. Dropping one position to third, defending champions France will hope to use day three to their benefit and fight their way back into contention. Sweden and Chilecomplete the top five respectively.
Breaking away from their nearest rivals, Australia increased their lead in the FIM Women’s World Trophy class tofifteen minutes over the United States. With teammates Jessica Gardiner – Sherco and Jemma Wilson – Yamahaplacing first and second in the Women’s overall individual standings, the USA in second and Canada in third willneed a mistake from Australia to help reduce the deficit.Recording his second class win in as many days, France’s Christophe Nambotin – KTM topped the Enduro 1 timesheets. Ensuring a French sweep of the top three positions, Marc Bourgeois – Yamaha and Jeremy Tarroux – Shercoplaced second and third. As the winner of the overall individual classification for the second day in a row, Renetalso claimed his second victory in the Enduro 2 class. Australia’s Matthew Phillips – KTM chased Renet home forsecond, while France’s junior rider Loic Larrieu – Husqvarna impressed all with his speed to take third. In the fightfor Enduro 3 honours United States’ Taylor Robert – KTM narrowly held off Australia’s Toby Price – KTM to secure hisfirst victory of the week. Completing the top three, Spain’s Ivan Cervantes – KTM was third.Stepping things up a notch, day three of the ISDE will see a new course with sandy and rocky special tests tochallenge the competitors as they reach the midway point in the race.
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