Tayla Jones speaks on racing ISDE Women’s World Trophy with Team Australia. Competing in her 10th edition of the prestigous race, Tayla not only cements a tremendous record of racing the International Six Days Enduro but also re-affirms her success having won WWT 6x with her Nation’s Team in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
The phenomenal record speaks volumes on the strength of character of Tayla, who from her early years of riding was determined to carve a career racing Enduro. As far back as 2014, Tayla competed and won the Women’s class in Australia’s Hattah Desert Race, which highlighted a talent for racing long, demanding routes – a precursor for racing ISDE WWT and GNCC WXC Championships in the years that followed.
The string of wins in ISDE WWT from 2013 to 2018 was – as Tayla states a Team race, yet the Australian rider had already pushed herself outside her native home-land to race America’s GNCC WXC part-way through 2016 season. The move was obviously advantageous, as Tayla combined her skills on training and racing long, challenging days in ISDE, with the new environment of competing in the 2 hour races of GNXX WXC over the course of 13 Rounds.
And, the transition has paid off, with Tayla dominating and winning GNCC Women’s category in 2017, 2018, and 2018. For certain, Tayla’s skill of making decisions which would bring long-term benefits to her career have been smartly addressed and actioned – as witnessed in this year’s ISDE WWT which Tayla looks forward to with utmost enthusiasm.
”This year is a really special one for me being my 10th ISDE. I’ve got to experience a lot of different countries and places to race but I’m very excited for this year in Spain. The tracks looks really awesome after walking this week even with all of the bad weather in the area. Having 6 days of racing in these type of conditions will be really tough so making it to the finish will be the most important part this year I believe”.
”With all the experience I’ve learnt over the years it is always better to stay on top of things while everything is going great and always expect the worse in this race and be happy when it’s not so bad haha. Crazy things can happen when we are on the bike for 8-9 hours a day and you’ve got to be prepared for it all. Mentally it will make life a lot easier towards the end if you plan for the worst because no matter what – it is going to be long hard days of racing!”
Undoubtedly, Tayla has all knowledge, experience, and race-craft to race with fellow team rider’s: Jessica Gardiner #304 and Danielle Mc Donald #306 to produce best possible performance against equally determined competition. Currently standing P2 in Team times position – behind team Unites States – Tayla maintains presence of mind that 6 days of racing can test any rider’s resolve, to not only complete all specials but also make sure all bike maintenance is carried out as well.
Tayla: ”Walking the tests the week before definitely helps for race week to settle the nerves a little to see what we will be racing on and so we know what will be coming when we are trying to go as fast as possible. Everyone is a little different with walking but I like to do each test track a couple times each”.
”Every year there is always some new challenges to face at an ISDE and I think it kind of adds to the excitement because you never have a straight forward race. Our team around us is so important to keep us going and have everything we might need ready at all times just incase of a problem but also the moral support and cheer squad definitely pushes us all the way to finish line. We race this race for our country and our team mates and always want to do the best we possibly can!”
ISDE WWT October 14 – 19. Header photo: Tayla Jones image: @fredccy Graphics: MXLink.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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