2011 International Six Days Enduro
The AMA has announced the U.S. riders that will comprise the World Trophy Team contesting the 86th running of the prestigious International Six Days Enduro (ISDE).
The ISDE is being hosted in Kotka-Hamina, Finland August 8 through the 13. The riders representing America are Destry Abbott, Russell Bobbitt, Kurt Caselli, Jimmy Jarrett, Nathan Kanney, and Kyle Summers.
The AMA’s Off-Road Racing Manager, Chuck Weir, commented on the announcement, saying, “It’s no secret that Europe is home to some of the best off-road racers in the world, and the U.S. ISDE team is looking forward to facing these riders on their home turf. The Trophy Team is a mix of new talent and veteran experience. These riders know and respect each other, and will work together to put Americans on the podium at this storied international competition.”
The ISDE is broken down into three separate categories; the World Trophy Team, the Junior Trophy Team, which is comprised of four riders under the age of 23, and the Women’s Trophy Team, which is comprised of three women. There will also be several club teams representing the U.S.A.
The Junior Team will field Brad Bakken, Ian Blythe, Cory Buttrick, and Andrew DeLong. The Women’s Team riders are Nicole Bradford, Amanda Mastin, and Kerrie Swartz. 2011 will also see a Senior Club Team, comprised of veterans from the club teams. Representing the seniors will be Dennis Decker, Jeff Fredette, and Jake Vainio.
The ISDE has three specific displacement classes; the E1 class includes 100cc to 125cc two-strokes and 175cc to 250cc four-stroke machines; the E2 class features 175cc to 250cc two-strokes and 290cc to 450cc four-stroke motorcycles; and the E3 class, features 290cc to 500cc two-stroke machines and 475cc to 650cc four-stroke motorcycles.
Destry Abbott will serve as co-captain of the Trophy Team, along with Kurt Caselli. Abbott, 38, is a five-time AMA National Hare & Hound Champion, and has earned five gold medals in the ISDE.
Destry Abbott says: “Finland is going to be tough, but if we all go and ride our own race, we expect to get on the podium. We face Italy and France, two strong teams, and Finland is a team we always battle with, so with the ISDE being in Finland, it’s going to be a dogfight. I’m not real experienced with Finland, but I understand it’s gravelly, rocky, and there’s a lot of water. It sounds somewhat tight, but not like ‘gnarly tight’ Eastern U.S. trails, so our desert riders should adapt well.
“I’ve always loved the ISDE. I started on a club team, got my experience and have worked my way up. It’s not easy. There are a lot of things that can happen on a bike for seven to eight hours a day, and you only have 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night, and it’s hard to understand how mentally tough it is. The transfer sections aren’t always easy, and if you lose your focus, you can find yourself off the trail. I love it, though. You have to be a great all-around rider. You have to be good at off-road, moto, working on the bike. It’s a real test.”
Caselli, 27, returns to the ISDE for the fifth time. Bobbitt currently leads the AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship. In 2006 he was part of the winning ISDE Junior Trophy Team. Jarrett competes in the GNCC Series.
The 2011 ISDE will be his seventh year competing in the ISDE. Kanney races in the GNCC and is an experienced ISDE and World Enduro Championship contestant. Summers competes in off-road events on both the east and west coasts and has competed in the AMA Outdoor National Motocross Championship.
Key sponsors to supporting America’s participation in the ISDE include Arai, Spectro, and Motion Pro. The American presence would not be possible without their continued support.
Show your support for these ISDE teams by purchasing an official ISDE Tee-shirt. All proceeds go directly to supporting the logistics of getting the team, support personnel, and machinery to Finland.
To purchase a 2011 ISDE shirt visit the AMA store online by clicking here. And for more information about the American teams and U.S. ISDE effort visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Pics: Team USA at 2010 ISDE