Mexico Enduro
The entry for the 2010 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) includes the strongest female contingent ever with twenty riders listed in the Women’s category, who represent seven different nations.
While female competitors have long taken part in this endurance event, it was only at the ISDE in Chile in 2007 that the Women’s class was first introduced.
The arrival of the Women’s Cup was much due to Iris Kramer who actually competed in the 2006 ISDE in New Zealand and is a member of the FIM Women’s Commission.
Perhaps best know as the 2007 FIM Women’s Trial World Champion, Kramer made her enduro debut in the Southern Hemisphere and despite six ultra tough days in the saddle was classified as an official finisher.
“After my own experience in 2006 I visited the FIM Enduro Commission, as I was already a member of the FIM Women’s Commission, and asked them if it was possible to at least give the Women riders their own class in the results. Today, just four years later we have Women from seven countries who are now contesting the Women’s Cup, which is a great achievement.”
Thirty-three old Vanja Kollmann from Sweden, who is a Military Officer by profession – specialising in the teaching of disposal of ammunition – is just one such brave lady who has made the trip to Mexico to do battle with the rugged terrain.
“This is my sixth ISDE, and apart from my first attempt when I did not make it to the end, I have finished in the other five events and have won three gold medals. I started riding enduro because of my husband, at first I was helping him, and then I saw other Women riding and I decided that I wanted to test it too.”
“More and more girls are riding now, so it is important to have competitions for them too. The introduction of the Women’s class in the ISDE was the correct move and so was the new enduro World Cup for Women that begun this year. However unlike the World Cup, at the ISDE we have to follow the same course as the men, which makes it really tough.”
“I think Chile was my favourite ISDE so far, especially as I like the sand. Here in Mexico it is going to be really tough, as even after the first couple of days on the hard ground and rocks I can feel it in my hands. I also heard that days three and four are going to be very difficult. I think to win this race, it will not be about the times in the tests, but will be about avoiding the penalties if you have a problem with your bike or your body.”