Showtime for women racing ISDE Women’s World Trophy 2024 – October 14 – 19. With 11 Women’s Teams representing their respective Nations, the battle lines have been drawn on which Team will claim ultimate victory in the 98th edition of FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) held in Galicia, Spain in 3 days time.
Most certainly, the line-up of highly talented and successful female Enduro rider’s ramps up expectation on which Team will claim the winning margin at the end of Day 6. As Team United States was the only team to maximize the times of all 3 rider’s from Day 1 – 6 in WWT 2023 (all other Teams incurred penalties with the loss of a rider) – the strategy will be to stay consistent, remain calm under pressure, and ensure energy levels are monitored to carry out bike maintenance over the 6 days of racing.
Sounds challenging enough, given the levels of physical exertion required to race specials against equally determined competition who have set goals on achieving results either as a seasoned pro or debut rider. From America’s Rachel Gutish who will race her 9th edition of ISDE WWT, to the first women’s Team from New Zealand – all 33 rider’s will carve their names on the table board of the prestigous race.
Specifically, winner’s of the Women’s World Trophy dates back to the first race in 2007 – won by Team United States followed by 5 consecutive wins by Team France from 2008 to 2012. French rider Audrey Rosset who stood on the top step of the podium 4x – has since raced The Dakar Rally in 2021 and 2022.
From 2013 to 2018 Team Australia dominated the event winning WWT 6x with rider’s – Tayla Jones and Jessica Gardiner standing on all 6 podiums – and racing for Team Australia 2024. Team United States spoiled the Aussie’s winning streak taking victory in 2019, 2021, and 2023, with Team United Kingdom upset the odds, winning WWT in 2022. Suffice to say, the historical relevance of racing and winning such a prestigous event can not be under-estimated nor taken for granted as all watching track-side are about to see.
So, what to expect? Yes, Team United States rider’s of Brandy Richards #301, Ava Silvestri #302 and Rachel Gutish #303 will be hard to beat. Richards has completed a very successful GNCC WXC season, finishing P2 overall, and Rachel has excelled in pushing outside her known comfort zone racing Women’s Enduro World Championship 2024, finishing P2 overall.
Team Australia will have plenty of scores to settle, completing ISDE WWT 2023 just off the top step of the podium with the trio of Jessica Gardiner #307, Tayla Jones #308, and Danielle McDonald #309 out for revenge. McDonald made debut entry in ISDE WWT in 2023 and produced outstanding performance finishing 2nd in Women’s Individual classification, and will be one to watch at just 16 years of age.
Home favourites will certainly be Team Spain rider’s – Mireia Badia #326, Nora Esteban #325, and Maria San Miguel #327. Coming off the back of taking her first ever Women’s Enduro World Championship, Mireia will race with experience, race-craft, and strategy which will come in handy for the Team’s results, along with careful management of energy – having just completed the physically demanding races of Women’s Enduro’s 5 Rounds.
Team France have a massive amount of experience between their trio of rider’s: Justine Martel #310, Elodie Chaplot #311, and Mauricette Brisebard #312. With all three rider’s placing Team France P3 overall in ISDE WWT 2023, focus will be fixed on maintaining times through-out the 6 days, having dropped a rider in ‘023.
Amid predictions, rider’s from Team Great Britain: Nieve Holmes #318, Team Canada: Shelby Turner #321, Team Italy: Francesca Nocera #322, and Team New Zealand: Rachel Archer #331 will mix up standings with their talent for embracing the challenge of producing top results against the best Women Enduro rider’s in the world. Now, that sounds exciting, and will be worth the watch.
ISDE WWT October 14 – 19 in Galicia, Spain. Header photo: Team United States winning ISDE WWT 2023 Image: Team.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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