France, Brive ISDE 2017
It’s on most Enduro riders to do list…. the ISDE or International Six Days Enduro, the longest running event on the FIM calendar. It started in Carlisle in 1913 and bar some gaps for a few wars. And stuff has run every year since. It is one of the few sporting events where the average “Joe” (and we mean that advisedly) can pit their skills against the worlds best. Interesting. The location moves every year and forms a big bidding contest between the many federations…. Brive in central France hosts the 2017 event; it was greatly oversubscribed being in Europe and France in particular. Great location. Unlike many federations, us paddies or the MCI for short achieved a 100% want against entry listing (fantastic), 12 riders comprising 4 teams … two from the MCI and two from the MRA….
Jordan Scott, Harold Crawford, Barry Donaghy.
JOHN Mc Cann, Dave Crean, Rob Regan.
Mick O’Leary, Ivan Toole, Dave Mc Nulty.
Phil Caldwell, Paddy Flanagan, Chris Hegarty.
We do of course wish them all well from the 28th to the 2nd. We will try getting an inside track on what is happening. 16 years ago saw the ISDE in Brive so we know what to expect. Back then the MCI were represented by 8 riders 2 x teams and 2 x individual riders (not allowed today).
Gary , Pete and Carl at 2001 ISDE…
Normal ISDE tyre changing, Pete had it off pat…
Vinny ready for the off !
Adrian, Paul, Vinny…
Adrian Lappin, Paul Mc Guide, Vinny Fitzsimon
Pete Campbell, Gary Ennis, Carl Ennis
Ray Tolan, Alan Graham
Bernard Mckevitt competed and finished on a XR 400. Sorry Bernard that we have missed to mention your achievement 
They returned a haul of 4 silver and 4 bronze medals with a 100% finish rate . Maguire , Lappin and fitz missed gold by less than 90 seconds with Maguire only 30 seconds adrift . Tough that with only a chain derailment by Vinny pushing the team down to 32 ND of 167 teams . No doubt the 2017 crew have the ability and commitment to push those limits . Gold( Jordan) is a real possibility with a scatter of silver likely . Those at that level will need to be on their game . France topped the trophy teams in 2001, looking at the entry lists the same result is likely in 2017 with competition coming from the USA , Australia . The 4 man format ( as against 6) changes the dynamic a bit favouring the stronger nations . Sweden could be an outside bet for the Junior trophy. Most of the guys are on their way to France or already there , walking tests , walking tests again , preparing for the administration , registrations ( whats that ) in hand , cash paid , fim documents completed, noise conrol . Perhaps the hardest part of the event!
Enduro.ie