2012 Germany ISDE
The FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) is set to make its highly anticipated start on Monday, September 24 as the 87th running of the event prepares to welcome a vibrant mix of close to five hundred elite and amateur enduro racers.
Returning to Germany for the first time in 23 years, and boosted by the return of France’s FIM World Trophy team, the near week-long event is set to add yet another thrilling chapter to the history of the longest running off-road motorcycle event in the FIM’s sporting calendar.
Taking over from last year’s hosts Finland, the Saxony event brings the FIM ISDE back to central Europe for the first time since 2005, when the competition was held in Považská Bystrica, Slovakia.
Visiting New Zealand, Chile, Greece, Portugal, Mexico and most recently Finland during the past six years, the 2012 edition of the event will see competitors faced with a course of one thousand kilometres, mixed into which will be no fewer than nine different special tests.
The rich history of motorcycle racing, and manufacturing, in the Saxony area lends itself perfectly to this year’s ISDE. The location of Zschopau is for many the most famous enduro area in Germany, home to the famous Rund um Zschopau event for more than fifty years.
The area has also produced many of Germany’s best enduro racers, with the former MZ Motorcycle factory also located in the town. As an FIM and FIA approved road race circuit, the Sachsenring, which since 1998 has hosted the German Motorcycle Grand Prix, will act as the ‘home’ of the event.
Offering a fully developed paddock area of more than thirty-two thousand square metres of facilities available to teams, officials, medical staff and the media will ensure a smooth running event.
Starting on Monday, September 24 the six-day event will, as has become tradition, be split to offer competitors four different courses.
Days one and two will see participants head to the areas of Stollberg, Thalheim and Zwönitz before days three and four takes racers to the area in and around Zschopau, where a one hundred and twenty-five kilometre route will be ridden twice each day. With day five headed to Zwickau, Kirchberg and Lugau the sixth day sees the final motocross races take place at the Sachsenring.
Finland return to the FIM World Trophy team competition as the squad that triumphed on home soil last year. Placing alongside Finland in second and third positions twelve months ago were Spain and the USA, who, along with the defending champions, will have their sights set on beating 2008, 2009 and 2010 winners France. Focused on success following their absence in 2011, France start as clear favorites in the FIM World Trophy team competition.
France are also among the favourites to win in the FIM World Junior Trophy team category, but will face stiff competition from the likes of Spain, Italy and Great Britain. With four consecutive wins to their credit France’s FIM Women’s World Trophy team will unquestionably be tough to beat and like their male counterparts start as class favourites. Host nation Germany are well represented and will field FIM World Trophy, FIM Junior World Trophy and FIM Women’s World Trophy teams in addition to eleven Club teams.
