Honda CRF450X - One hell of a bike

Australia's Junior Trophy Team has claimed a podium finish at the International Six Day Enduro in Taupo, New Zealand, riding consistently all week to finish in third overall.

The Senior Trophy Team finished sixth on the overall standings, while Aussie Club team Macarthur MCC 1 finished second outright in the Club section.

Australia's best chance at individual glory rest with Stefan Merriman who ended the event in third spot in the E2 class, while Glenn Kearney (ninth), Jake Stapleton (13th) and Josh Strang (14th) also did well in the same class.

In E1, Chris Hollis led the way impressing as he rode into 10th on the standings while Anthony Roberts came a respectable 14th in the class.

Brad Williscroft was the best of the Aussies in the E3 class finishing in 17th overall, while Darren Lloyd came home in 26th.

The Junior Trophy Team consisted of Hollis, Strang, Lloyd and Blake Hore who snuck past Germany to finish in third behind the USA and France.

Pre-ISDE favourites Finland took home the Senior Trophy from France and Spain with three Finnish riders inside the top-four vying for individual honours – Merriman coming fifth overall.

Upon reflection of the event, Williscroft said that he was pleased with the way he rode given that he was slightly underdone due to injury, and praised the strength of the teams that finished above the Australians.

"We would have liked to have been on the podium but the other countries are really on top of the league in terms of the Enduro stuff," he admitted.

"Considering I was off the bike for about six weeks before it because of injuries and then I only rode about three weeks before it, before the race to get fit again – I wasn't sort of fully fit, but I still managed to grab a gold medal which was one of the goals I set out to achieve."

Roberts thoroughly enjoyed the six-day event, praising the course as well as the overwhelming support that the Australian riders received.

"It felt like it was a good six days. The bike was good and the team worked well and the MA supporters were really good, and I thought it was a really good event," he said.

"The course was great – the special tests were unreal and I thought it was overall just really good.

"There was awesome support for the Aussies – there were a few guys out there that just went from test to test with yellow and green wigs on and they were cheering.

"So it was pretty good to having that level of support – totally different to riding in Australia."

For full results, visit: http://www.rally-vysledky.com/rallysport/2006/6d/1

The 2007 ISDE will be held in Chile in November.

The excited jabber of the Finland team riders and their supporters punctuated the air as the 81st International Six Days Enduro wrapped up near Taupo today.

As expected, there was little any of the 31 nations competing could do to peg back the flying Finns as the theme of the event transformed on the sixth and final day from a battle of endurance in the mud and slush to a test of high speed riding on the volcanic sand and ash of the local motocross track.
Finland won the event from France and Spain, with New Zealand holding on to seventh spot in the overall Trophy Team standings.

In the junior Trophy Team (for riders under age 23) standings, the United States team won, ahead of France and Australia, with New Zealand maintaining their grip on 10th overall position.

The Kiwis fancied themselves on the volcanic ash surface of the popular digger McEwen Motorcycle Park circuit on the outskirts of Taupo, the venue for many of their domestic motocross battles.

With senior Trophy Team riders Shayne King, Cam Negus, Paul Whibley, Chris Birch and Lachie Columb each showing top motocross form today, it was never in doubt they’d retain their hold on the No.7 spot in the battle of the nations between the Trophy Teams.

Likewise with the junior squad of Michael Phillips, Adrian Smith and Karl Power – they also shone in the motocross action.

New Zealand team manager Shaun Stanbridge said he was very happy with the result.

“Sweden was 15 minutes behind the New Zealand junior team but, when the FIM (sport’s governing body) jury decided to cancel one of the stages yesterday (because of timing problems in the torrential rain), this allowed them to close right up and they were only six seconds behind us at the start of today’s motocross,” Stanbridge explained.

“I was sweating bricks all day,” he said.

New Zealand had earlier been on the brink of elimination with its two teams reduced to the bare minimum number of riders, the senior squad down to five members after Darryll King’s withdrawal because of injury and the junior line-up down to three riders after Jason Davis suffered mechanical problems on day four.

The five remaining Senior Trophy Team riders and three surviving Junior Trophy Team riders ran hot in the motocross today, perhaps none more so that Rotorua’s Phillips, who simply ran away with his E2 race.

“Phillips was the third fastest of any individual at the event today,” said Stanbridge.

“Him winning his race gave the junior team a huge boost in the standings. The New Zealand Junior Trophy Team’s combined times today were 46 minutes 11 seconds. Sweden’s team tally today was 47 minutes plus.

“It’s a fantastic result for us considering we don’t field a team every year. Fifth or higher would have been great but the pedigree of the Europeans is akin to our pedigree for rugby. We were racing against the All Blacks of the enduro world this week.”

Next year’s ISDE will be held in Chile.

Words; Andy McGechan

Trophy Team standings after Day Five of the ISDE:

1. Finland; 2. France, 15m09s behind the leaders; 3. Spain, 20m06s; 4. Italy, 23m25s; 5. Sweden, 24m10s; 6. Australia, 24m51s; 7. New Zealand, 42m39s; 8. Slovakia, 58m33s; 9. Great Britain, no time given at time of release; 10. USA, no time given.

Junior Trophy Team Positions (under 23 years)

1. USA; 2. France, 8m20s behind the leaders; 3. Australia, 11m54s; 4.Germany, 14m06s; 5. Italy, 15m20s; 6. Great Britain, 17m52s; 7. Finland, 19m21s; 8. Netherlands, 20m01s; 9. Spain, 26m27s; 10. New Zealand, 35m16s.

The incredibly difficult became virtually impossible on day five of the International Six Days Enduro near Taupo today.

Surviving to ride the penultimate day of this gruelling test of man and machine was one thing, but reaching the end of day five in one piece was quite another.

Rain began to fall steadily from mid morning but, by early afternoon, it was coming down in torrents. Some of the tracks ridden on days one, two and three soon became narrow, rutted, slippery one-lined affairs and bottlenecks began to develop as the cream of riders from 31 nations attempted to cut a path through the Kinleith Forest.

With prolonged delays causing timing and scoring problems, the organisers decided to cut short the day’s racing and bring the riders back to the pit compound (parc ferme) early.

ISDE organisers are counting the first two tests held earlier in the day.

New Zealand had been in a prime position in the Trophy Teams’ calculations, the senior New Zealand Trophy Team in seventh overall and the Junior Trophy Team in 10th overall position.

The Kiwis revelled in today’s conditions with senior Trophy Team riders Shayne King, Cam Negus, Paul Whibley, Chris Birch and Lachie Columb each outstanding.

New Zealand team manager Shaun Stanbridge said he was extremely proud of the Kiwi riders.

“They showed guts and determination in the face of adversity. I wouldn’t have wanted to be out there. The conditions were terrible.

“I had told the New Zealand Trophy Team riders that we were secure in seventh in the seniors and tenth in the juniors. It was unlikely that we would gain any ground in either classification unless another team ahead of us suffered disaster.

“Likewise, teams behind us would not catch us unless we, too, suffered a problem.

“Given this scenario, I advised them to ride sensibly and within their capabilities and not to push that extra few percent, which could have resulted in a crash, an injury or possibly have led to mechanical problems.”

New Zealand was on the brink of elimination with its two teams reduced to the bare minimum number of riders, the senior squad down to five members after Darryll King’s withdrawal because of injury and the junior line-up down to three riders after Jason Davis suffered mechanical problems on day four.

The five remaining Senior Trophy Team riders and three surviving Junior Trophy Team riders appeared to heed Stanbridge’s words, consolidating their respective positions as conditions worsened through the day.

“The disappointment for the New Zealand teams is that they coped with the slippery, muddy, wet and cold conditions better than many of their rivals and could possibly have moved up the standings and it will be a shame if the results don’t count.”

Negus said he was happy with his performance today.

“Looks like I’m on target for gold,” said the Rotorua man at the end of racing on day five. “That was my aim at the start,” said Negus.

“After the last two days, I think it’s a huge achievement just to get to the end. Quite a few riders dropped out yesterday. It was tough out there. I saw some of the world’s top 10 riders upside down in the mud. It was survival of the toughest today. Yesterday was pretty bad but today was brutal.

“I’m stoked with the bike. The Yamaha has not missed a beat. We’ve done about 1250 kilometres or more in the past five days and the bike’s needed nothing done to it but basic maintenance. I’ve changed tyres and filters and that’s all. I’ve got the same chain on the bike I started the event with,” Negus said.

The weather forecast is for clearing skies for tomorrow’s final day, the tough motocross test at Taupo's Digger McEwen Park. There, spectators can see five-time world motocross champion Joel Smets in his last international ride as he battles our very own 1996 world champion, Shayne King in the E2 class.

The organisers of the ISDE have called off Day Five due to very heavy weather in the Kinleith Forest. Organisers are presently deciding either to count, or not count the first 2 Tests. Motocross begins on Sunday (tomorrow), from around 10.30am. Gates open from approx 10.00am. The official timekeeper has told us that final results should be ready for distribution around 6.00pm Sunday, following the motocross.

The TM "factory" mechanic, Jason Chapman is continuing his good work and is in New Zealand supporting TM riders Jake Stapleton and Darren Lloyd as they do battle with the worlds best.

As part of Jasons work load whilst in NZ he is e-mailing back each night the guys progress on this tough event. Please see below Jasons day 3 report, where it is obvious things are hotting up. Jason reckons it is hard work looking after a couple of factory pro riders but apparently he has been given a TM 250FES 2007 to get around on in NZ. Its a hard life being a factory mechanic.

Well it wasn't raining when I woke up but it didn't take long to change leaving the first test of the day quite waterlogged in places. The remaining tests draining very quickly to provide excellent tests.

Jakes day started a more positive with a clean run through the first test but he was still in 37th position overall? Not something we are used to seeing from him. The following 4 tests saw him improve with each test on the course. The same one as Day 2. A fine Enduro test 2(14 outright) helped move him to 29th overall at day end(12th in class) and 3rd Aussie. With more rain forecast for tonight tomorrow will be one demanding day we look forward to watching Jake continue his fight back towards the top of the field. Oh and the caped crusader fan club has captured the imagination of all. Lots of photo's and television being taken!

Darren Lloyd fianally started to turn his event round at test 4 and a clean run through the last 2 tests has given the rider new confidence for tomorrow. One highlight of the afternoon was the step by step commentary of Darren's work period for the assembled crowd. He performed admirably doing 2 tyres etc and had plenty of time let.
They say Day 3 is always a great equaliser at the ISDE so we look forward to a good day for our TM riders and the Aussie teams

The popular three rider Swedish Womens Enduro Team (SWET) is down to two following the exclusion of Paulina Andersson during Day Three.

Andersson was caught in difficult and rutted riding conditions as the sheer volume of 600 riders going hard-out took its toll on one section of the International Six Days (ISDE) course. She ‘houred out’ after clocking a penalty for being 12 minutes late to a test, leaving her total elapsed time more than an hour of her permitted schedule.

SWET and Swedish Army Teams media representative Magnus Josefson said, “This is Paulina’s first ISDE. She was focussing on learning to be a better rider for next years ISDE in Chile, where she will compete again. This is part of our five year plan, and the second time Sweden has entered a womens team in the ISDE. We plan to continue in Chile.

“People know our womens team and are now coming up to them and enquiring about how they are going, including New Zealanders. They (Vanja Kollmann and Jessica Jonsson) will do a good job today I hope.”

Kollmann is also finding the tracks difficult to ride, “With so many riders on them,” Kollmann said during this mornings Day Four ten minute maintenance allowance, before embarking on her fourth straight day in the saddle of her KTM motorcycle.

“It has been pretty tough up the hills, but I have more to give. Although I have sores on my hands and the back of my knees.”

Team SWET (pron SWEET), may be down one rider but they are enjoying the action as the ISDE teams begin thinking about the tough and final Day Six motocross test at Digger McEwen Park on Sunday.

Kollmann is the European womens enduro champion and Jonsson is the Swedish womens champion.

Photo credits; Terry Stevenson

Both of Australia's Trophy teams made their move on the third day of the International Six Day Enduro in New Zealand, with the Junior Trophy Team ending the day in third outright while the Senior Team moved itself back up to fourth overall.

The weather remained wet and soggy in Taupo and the heavy conditions are starting to show their effect on the riders, who are slowly tiring after three days of intense battle.

Despite this, the Australian team remains positive and focused with riders keen to get back out to continue pressing up the standings.

Chris Hollis is proudly flying the Australian flag in the E1 class having moved into an impressive 7th position overall, with fellow Aussie Anthony Roberts not too far behind in 15th spot.

In the E2 class, Stefan Merriman moved back up into second spot overall and will be looking to keep the pressure Finnish pair Aro Samuli and Ahola Mika.

Glenn Kearney has moved up to eighth in E2, while Jake Stapleton rounds off the top-10 in 10th spot overall.

In the E3 class, Brad Williscroft remains the best placed Aussie, currently sitting in 14th position overall while Darren Lloyd still sits inside the top-30.

Merriman was pleased with the way he started on day three, but lost some ground after crashing in the final section.

"I started the day well without too much drama," he said.

"As the day progressed the tests were rougher and rougher, making it harder for the later starting riders.

"Unfortunately I had a crash in the final cross test after it rained, and I lost the front end on wet grass.

"The crash cost me 10 seconds and so I had to settle for second today."

Williscroft paid tribute to all the riders in the Australian team, giving an insight to the difficulties of the course, and the camaraderie that the team shares.

"Today has been a good day for our team with a few of the young boys really riding well.

"It was a very technical trail and very rough tests today which made it very physically and mentally demanding."

According to Lloyd, the course was extremely difficult to ride, but if the team can manage to put in its best riding over a full day will no doubt find itself in a podium position.

"The Trail was very demanding, needing a lot of concentration," he said.

"The Tests are out of control with many roots and massive whoops.

"There were a few bog holes and I rode better today, but we need to put a whole day together to get the Junior Trophy Team into a podium position.

Finland continues to lead in the Senior Trophy from France and Spain, while the USA and France are the only two nations ahead of the Australians in the battle for the Junior Trophy.

For full results, visit: http://www.rally-vysledky.com/rallysport/2006/6d/1

Sport doesn’t get any tougher than the International Six Days Enduro but it just got tougher still for Team New Zealand with a key member of its representative Trophy Team, Hamilton’s Darryll King, forced to retire at the end of day two on Wednesday.

King (37) had been suffering from an elbow injury from the start of the event but managed to surge up the standings.

However, the elbow became infected and swollen and the pain became too much for him to bear. He had been as high as seventh in the E1 class and well on target for a gold medal in this “ironman of motorcycling”.

King’s withdrawal means the Kiwi Trophy Team is now reduced to five riders and they will have to soldier on without the former GP motocross star and current New Zealand 250cc and 500cc motocross champion. Every rider’s score now counts toward the team total and New Zealand no longer has the option of discarding a bad result.

Fortunately, New Plymouth’s Shayne King (36) was still firing on all cylinders and he won another one of the five stages raced today.

With the senior King gone, it seemed to spark more life into the ISDE campaign of Pahiatua’s Paul Whibley (Honda).

New Zealand team manager Shaun Stanbridge (Auckland) said he was thankful Whibley had lifted his game.

“In one special test, Whibley beat four-time former world enduro champion Stefan Merriman, a remarkable feat,” he said.

“We’re naturally disappointed that King is out, the team is disappointed too. It was very unexpected, or wanted, from someone of his calibre. It puts us (Team NZ) in a tight position, as we are now left with only five riders.”

Stanbridge said it drizzled from about 10am, but the bad weather was localised, wet at one stage but hot and sunny at another.

“A lot of riders struggled. A small bridge collapsed under the punishment of more than 600 riders hitting it at speed. This caused some riders to lose time as they searched for alternative routes around the obstacle.”

In addition to Darryll King’s demise, New Zealand’s four-man No.2 team, the Junior Trophy Team for riders under age 23, also lost one of its number and is now reduced to just three riders

Whangamata’s Jason Davis was forced out of the event with mechanical failure.

Davis’ KTM stopped on a ‘transport section’ between two ‘special test’ stages and could not restart within the allotted hour.

Davis suspects the stoppage was because of water in the electrics.

“I spent an hour and a half to two hours trying to fix it, but I didn’t have the resources to repair it on the track,” said Davis.

“I pushed it a long way to the nearest intersection, where the marshals would see it. I knew I had ‘houred out’.

“I’m pretty gutted! I was just starting to get into the groove and felt I would have been on gold medal time. The bike was going awesome when it happened.

“The tests have gone from pure speed to good line selection and riding. There are footpeg-deep holes.”

Official results were not available until late into the night but it is understood New Zealand is still inside the top 10 Trophy Teams and its riders are on target for gold.

Words; Andy McGechan

Photo credits; Geoff Osborne

- Paul Whibley in action on his Honda CR250

- Shayne King in action on his Honda CRF450X

International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) competitor Vaclav Danek today feels the luckiest man in New Zealand after an emotional roller coaster ride since Sunday. NZ Police last night recovered Danek’s stolen Husaberg FE450 4T enduro bike in a forest just south of Taupo, following an anonymous phone call.

Taupo Police Constable Russell O’Brien caught the 15 year old offender red-handed, who, because of his age, has now been referred to a family group conference.

O’Brien said, “We knew how much it meant to the people who lost it, so we were really happy about it.”

Danek wasn’t made aware of the recovery until waking this morning so he wouldn’t lose any of his important sleep, as he prepared for Day Three of the ISDE.

On hearing the news, Police permitted the Czech Republic rider to view his bike at the Taupo Police Station, but Danek wasn’t confident it was his machine until setting his own eyes on it. The distinctive Husaberg was found in good but dirty condition, with all identification stickers removed.

Through interpreter Milan Jurica, Danek said, “It is much better now than the first day, and before the bike was stolen. We are surprised you have helped us, in my country it is not usual for police to help. I was hoping for the good people of NZ to come forward, and I thank the person who came forward.”

Danek is riding in the ISDE on a Husabeg loaned by KTM and Husaberg importer, KTM New Zealand, “I am riding slower because I have been troubled the past few days. I am riding it carefully because the bike is Karl Powers.”

“Thanks to NZ for everything, from Vaclav!” Danek specifically wishes to thank the ISDE organisers and the NZ Police for recovering his bike.

Team co-ordinator Jurica collected NZs most wanted Husaberg from the Taupo Police Station today, although ISDE rules prevent Danek from reverting to his original machine.

The ISDE is the most gruelling motorcycle event in the world and concludes with a Day Six motocross test at Digger McEwen Park in Taupo on Sunday.

Organisers are very happy with Ticketek pre-sales ahead of Day Six of the 31 nation event, where spectators can follow Danek and his now famous number 528 Husaberg.

Confirmed Trophy Team standings after Day Two of the ISDE:

1. Finland; 2. France, 3m25s behind the leaders; 3. Spain, 6m59s; 4. Australia, 8m34s; 5. Sweden, 8m42s; 6. Italy, 9m12s; 7. New Zealand, 10m15s; 8. Great Britain, 21m48s; 9. Slovakia, 23m34s; 10. USA, 25m07s.

Confirmed Junior Trophy Team Positions (under 23 years)

1. USA; 2. France, 1m21s behind the leaders; 3. Germany, 3m27s; 4. Australia, 3m35s; 5. Finland, 3m38s; 6. Italy, 4m24s; 7. Great Britain, 6m44s; 8. Netherlands, 8m24s; 9. Spain, 9m31s; 10. New Zealand, 11m32s.

Photo credits; Terry Stevenson

- Husaberg handover. Constable Ross Humphrey, Vaclav Danek and ISDE Media Manager Terry Stevenson

Australia remains entrenched near the top of the tables at the International Six Day Enduro in New Zealand, at the completion of the second day of competition.

Heavy overnight rain overnight on Tuesday together with strong howling winds made conditions difficult for the riders, and though the sun occasionally managed to find its way out the elements provided were less than ideal.

But the show rolled on, and the Australian Senior Trophy Team ended the day in sixth place overall, while the Junior Trophy Team finished up in fourth place on the standings.

In the E1 class, Chris Hollis held his overnight position to remain in outright ninth overall while Australian Off Road Champion Anthony Roberts slipped back a few places from day one to finish in 17th.

Damian Smith recovered from his slow start to the event by clawing his way up the rankings to end the day in 30th spot.

Overnight E2 leader, and former champion Stefan Merriman lost some ground on his rivals, ending the day in third spot overall behind American Kurt Caselli and Finn Aro Samuli.

The strong Australian presence in the E2 class was reinforced with several other riders well inside the top-20, including Josh Strang (ninth), Glenn Kearney (10th) and Jake Stapleton (13th).

In the E3 class, Brad Williscroft held onto 16th spot while Darren Lloyd slipped back a couple of spots to 26th.

Despite Merriman conceding top spot in E2, the Aussie was happy with the way he rode in the latter stages after some early Enduro Test mistakes.

"Today wasn't as great as yesterday for me," Merriman admitted.

"I took some bad lines and lost a lot of time to Aro and Caselli in the Enduro Tests, though fortunately, I made up some time in the final 'cross test and so ended the day on a good note."

Kearney was happy with his second day's performance and revealed that the whole Australian camp remain enthusiastic about the events that are about to unfold.

"Day two was better for me – I felt more comfortable in the special stages than yesterday," Kearney said.

"Stefan and Hollis are both doing really well and the whole team spirit is high with everyone doing a great job – riders and supporters alike."

Roberts was also of a great mindset after the second day, praising the efforts of the Junior team and the supporters.

"Day two – awesome. There's no dust, the special tests are slippery with heaps of rots and tree roots. The Junior team is doing really well and are looking at a podium finish and the supporters have been a great help."

Finland holds a commanding lead from France and Spain in the Senior Trophy, while in the Junior Trophy, the USA holds top spot from France and Germany.

For full results, visit: http://www.rally-vysledky.com/rallysport/2006/6d/1

Vaclav Danek has finished ISDE Days One and Two intact on his loaned Husaberg enduro bike. Police have yet to locate the Czech Republic riders brand new yellow and blue FE450 4T, although they remain confident of locating the rare in New Zealand motorcycle. Time is running out as he has until Monday to locate it, when the team pack up their container to send home. If his bike is recovered after November 20, Danek faces a large shipping cost to get his Husaberg back to the Czech Republic after that date.

On Wednesday Danek, 47, arrived at Parc Ferme well down the finishing order as he comes to grips with the loan machine, but remains confident of improving his times. “On Monday I had a problem because the situation was very difficult, but I’m very happy that I finished because it is a dream to start the ISDE in New Zealand.. The bike is OK and yesterday I had no crashes,” Danek said before setting out on Day Two. “I’m very happy, so many thanks to the people who helped me!”

Motorcycling New Zealand CEO, Paul Pavletich, has been based at Parc Ferme and is aware of Danek’s plight. Pavletich said, “There has been a lot of goodwill here to get the guy running, we weren’t going to let it end that way for him. We, New Zealand, have a reputation to protect so it would be great if his bike could be returned before Sunday. This meeting is the highlight of his career.”

Photo credits; Andy McGechan

Heavy rain overnight on Tuesday had been expected to change the complexion of the meeting, from being hot, dry and dusty in the Kinleith Forest on the opening day of racing to being cold, wet and slippery today.

However, the pumice soil drained rapidly and the sun soon baked the volcanic terrain back to conditions very similar to day one, only now the ruts had dug out to trench-like proportions.

Regardless of what the weather was dealing, the New Zealand representative senior and junior Trophy Teams set about the business of clawing their way up their respective standings.

The Trophy Team remains seventh, with Finland firmly in front, the French second, with Spain third and Sweden fourth but the New Zealanders have consolidated their position.

The Netherlands and Poland are the first major casualties, because of injuries and machine failure, and they have dropped out of the 31-nation event.

Most impressive of the Kiwis were the King brothers, Darryll (Hamilton) and Shayne (New Plymouth), who pushed themselves to the front of the leaderboard in two of today’s stages.

Darryll King (37), riding a Yamaha WR250F, won the day’s eighth stage, while Shayne King (36), riding a Honda CRF450X, won the next stage.

In the individual rating, Darryll King is now up from ninth to seventh overall in his E1 class and Shayne moved up one place to sixth overall in the E2 category.

The other riders in New Zealand’s Trophy Team are Cameron Negus (Rotorua), Paul Whibley (Pahiatua) and Lachie Columb (Queenstown).

New Zealand’s Junior Trophy Team, for riders aged under 23, also showed its fighting spirit today.

Rotorua’s Michael Phillips (Kawasaki KX250) lost nearly an hour in the bush yesterday when his drive chain became tangled in his sprocket.

That ruined any chance of an E2 class win for the 20-year-old but he continued to battle for the Junior Trophy Team and, today, rocketed through the field to go from 268th at the end of day one to 102nd today.

Other riders in this four-man junior representative squad are Jason Davis (Whangamata), Adrian Smith (Thames) and Hamilton’s Karl Power.

The youngest rider at the event, Hokianga’s Damon Nield (16), continued to impress. Riding for the three-man Maungatoroto club team, Nield went from 105th after day one to 87th today and completed two tyre changes and cleaned the air filter and replaced the engine oil all within his allotted 15-minute post-race work period.

“It’s the first time I’ve done a multi-day event like this and I’m feeling okay at the moment,” he said, though keenly aware that he is only one-third of the way through the event.

A technical glitch meant the computer had spat out incorrect results at the ISDE at the end of racing on day one.

The amended results did not affect New Zealand’s representative Senior Trophy Team, which remained seventh overall at the start of day two today.

On corrected results, France led at the start of racing on day two and Finland was second, just half a minute behind, with Spain third and Australia fourth.

Unofficial Trophy Team standings after Day Two of the ISDE:

1. Finland; 2. France, 3m54s behind the leaders; 3. Spain, 6m12s; 4. Sweden, 7m56s; 5. Italy, 8m32s; 6. Australia,8m.53s; 7. New Zealand, 10m36s; 8. Great Britain, 21m01s; 9. Slovakia, 24m29s; 10. USA, 24m54s.

Unofficial Junior Trophy Team Positions (under 23 years)

1. USA; 2. France, 1m21s behind the leaders; 3. Germany, 3m27s; 4. Australia, 3m35s; 5. Finland, 3m38s; 6. Italy, 4m24s; 7. Great Britain, 6m44s; 8. Netherlands, 8m24s; 9. Spain, 9m31s; 10. New Zealand, 11m32s.

Words; Andy McGechan

Australia's riders have made a solid start on the opening day of the International Six Day Enduro at Taupo in New Zealand, with Stefan Merriman ending the day on top of the E2 class.

Jake Stapleton and Josh Strang currently sit in ninth and 11th positions respectively in the E2 class while Glenn Kearney and Blake Hore occupy 19th and 20th spots.

In the E1 class, Chris Hollis is the top placed Aussie currently sitting in 10th with Anthony Roberts not far behind in 12th and Damian Smith a little further behind in 43rd position overall.

In E3 Brad Williscroft is the pick of the Australians in 16th position with Darren Lloyd (245h) and Daniel Ralph (55th) the next best placed.

At the end of the day, the Australian Senior Trophy Team are sitting in fourth place overall with the Junior Trophy Team holding down third place, and riders from both teams will be looking to push up the rankings on day two.

Merriman, who was widely tipped to win the event before it began, was happy with the way he rode given a slow start and gradual improvement throughout the day.

"The special Tests were good today," Merriman said.

"Quite bumpy with tree roots exposed in places, so I had to be alert and look ahead.

"I didn't feel so good in the first test but started to warm up by the second test. I am happy to be leading the class in the bumpy conditions."

Strang impressed on the opening day, and with a few minor adjustments to his riding will hopefully crack into the top-10 of E1 on the second day of competition.

"To much road, good trails, well marked, felt like a rode well in all the tests although has a small crash," he said.

"Pretty happy with day one!"

Hollis, who rode well after some trouble early was pleased that he managed to recover and pull off some times that even he was amazed with.

"I had a bad start to the day with a crash in the first test, then surprised myself with some very fast times," he admitted.

Stapleton was also pleased with his start to the race, and despite a minor hiccup performed consistently throughout the day.

"I had an ok day," he admitted.

"Had one small crash which cost sometime otherwise it was a good steady start to the race."

The French teams sit on top of the standings in both the Senior and Junior Trophies, with Finland and Spain the only other teams ahead of Australia in the Senior competition.

For full results, visit: http://www.rally-vysledky.com/rallysport/2006/6d/1

Perfect Conditions Greet the riders

Yes folks were back at it this time EMD is bringing you all the good oil from the 2006 ISDE in Beatiful Lake Taupo New Zealand.

A picturesque tourist haven complete with beautiful scenery. Lake Taupo is a friendly tourist town set on a huge lake with a backdrop of white snow capped mountains. As you leave the town the scenery comprises of green rolling hills with heaps of sheep, cattle, deer, horses and alpacas.

The mountains are covered with pine plantations which will provide the setting for the next 6 days of competition.

Roving Rick visited the Parc ferme and walked some of the special tests where he ran into ran into A J Roberts. AJ looked very confident stating that he was intending to put in 100%. It's go hard or go home as far as A J is concerned.

We also met KTM's Wonka and Woody out walking special tests and they indicated that they were pretty happy with the way things were shaping up..

The weather in NZ is spot on at the moment. The area has had a bit of rain during the week which has put the tracks in perfect condition for the big event.

Greatest Show on Turf Ready to Blast Off

It is the greatest show on turf and it’s in New Zealand for the first time.

Sunday’s Opening Ceremony formally kicked off the 2006 International Six Days Enduro in Taupo, and it is now just hours away from blast-off with 600 riders from 31 countries nervously making final preparations.

From 7am Tuesday, the first group of riders will leave the starting pen at the Taupo Motorsport Park and head off into the Kinleith Forest, just north of the town. Several of the special stages of Days One to Five are within 50m of State Highway 1. Day Six is a special motocross test held at Taupo’s Digger McEwen Park.

From that moment, they’re on their own, sharing the dirt, pine needles and rocks but racing against the clock in what is commonly regarded the Ironman of motorcycling.

Perhaps favourite for the Trophy Team honours, where riders represent their countries in teams of six, is last year’s ISDE champion nation, Italy.

The Italians are again strong this year but they’ll again likely have Finland and Sweden for company as the chase for Trophy Team honours gets hot.

Finland, in particular, is a standout team with such “name” riders as defending world enduro champion Samuli Aro and enduro legend Juha Salminen, Mika Ahola and Marko Tarkkala to fly their flag.

France, Spain and Australia are also strong contenders.

Though they’ll ride under team banners, either for their country or for club teams, the riders will also be hunting for individual honours. Ten are former or reigning world champions, and two of them are New Zealanders, Tauranga’s Stefan Merriman and New Plymouth’s Shayne King.

Although originally from the Bay of Plenty, Merriman has raced under an Australian licence for a number of years and he will again be a part of Australia's representative Trophy Team.

Merriman, a four-time former world enduro champion, and Finnish pair Aro and Salminen (Finland) are perhaps the three riders favoured to take individual honours.

Former world enduro champion Salminen (30) has arrived from the United States where he has just completed his second consecutive season of winning the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series.

“I didn’t race the six day last year. I’ve been two years in the US and last year we had a race over there at the same time, so I wasn’t in Slovakia,” he explained.

“I don’t know what happened there. But, we are here and we have a strong team and we do what we can, so let’s see who wins. At least we try to do our best, and our best should be enough. We know there are top teams, France, Italy and New Zealand is fast too, and Australia has a good team.”

And his secret to lasting six days?

“Well you can’t win the six days the first day or second day, but you can lose it. So just start slowly and have a look how it is and, when it’s time to go fast, go fast.”

The New Zealand contingent has plenty of sparkle too. King (36) was 500cc motocross world champion in 1996 and that’s his specialty branch of the sport but he turned his hand to enduro racing at the opening round of the New Zealand championships this year … and ran away with the win.

He’s joined in New Zealand’s six-rider No.1 squad, the Trophy Team, by his elder brother Darryll (37), a former two-time world motocross vice-champion (1997 and 1998), three-time Australian motocross champion and current New Zealand 250cc and 500cc motocross champion.

Also comprising the Trophy Team to represent New Zealand are cross-country ace Lachie Columb (Queenstown) and enduro guns Cameron Negus (Rotorua), Chris Birch (Waimauku) and Paul Whibley (Pahiatua).

New Zealand’s four-rider No.2 squad, the Junior Trophy Team (under 23), comprises Jason Davis (Whangamata), Karl Power (Hamilton), Adrian Smith (Thames) and Michael Phillips (Rotorua).

To win a gold medal, a rider had to finish within 10 percent of the winner's time in their class (so, if the winner clocks 5000 seconds, a rider can have no more than 5500 seconds at the end of the event). To win a silver medal, riders must be within 50 percent of the winner of their class and, to win a bronze, all a rider has to do is finish.

Early Tuesday morning, the riders will find out if they have what it takes to become the 2006 ISDE champion.

Words; Andy McGechan

Photo credits; Geoff Osborne

- ISDE Trail in Kinleith Forest

- Opening Ceremony, Taupo

Schedule of the 2006 ISDE; 31 Nations, 6 days, 620 riders - 1 winner.

Pre-event
9 - 11 November All 620 motorcycles impounded in Parc Ferme at Taupo’s

Motorsport Park.

12 November Opening Ceremony, 5.00pm. Olympic-style with riders representing 31 countries parading in uniform through downtown Taupo.

The 2006 ISDE runs from Tuesday, November 14 until Sunday, November 19.

14 – 18 November Days One to Five, Special stages held in and around Kinleith Forest, off State Highway 1. Final test held beside Taupo Motorsport Park at the end of each days riding.

Parc Ferme open to public each day.

19 November Day Six, Motocross Special Stage at Digger McEwen Park, Taupo.

19 November Awards ceremony and dinner, Taupo Events Centre, from 6.30pm.

Czech Rider Back in ISDE Action

Czech Republic rider Vaclav Danek saved for three years to ride in the 2006 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), held in New Zealand this week for the first time in it’s 81 year history. Danek’s Husaberg FE450 T enduro bike was stolen early Monday morning, forcing him out of the event.

After hearing of the theft several motorcycle industry representatives banded together to organise a replacement enduro bike for the stricken rider, to restore Danek’s faith in our country. At short notice Paul Ottaway, General Manager of Husaberg and KTM importers, KTM New Zealand, offered sponsored rider Karl Power’s near identical model Husaberg for Danek to use, free of charge. It was felt important for Danek to ride a similar machine.

NZ Junior Trophy Team member Karl Power agreed to give up his KTM New Zealand Husaberg practice bike, which he rode to third at a recent enduro.

Ottaway said, “We are quite happy to help out someone who has come that distance. We would like to restore his faith in New Zealand and hopefully this will leave him with a good impression.”

Wheels were instantly put into action on Monday evening with the ISDE organisers offering a special dispensation to allow time for Danek’s team to prepare the bike for compulsory technical inspection in time for today’s (Tuesday) 7.00am start line kick-off.

The Czech Republic team have worked furiously all day Monday to prepare the Husaberg for the most gruelling motorcycle event on the planet. The Maxxis ISDE is based at the Taupo Motorsport Park, and they don’t call it ‘The Ironman of Motorcycling’ for nothing.

Danek was very surprised and delighted with the offer, “If it happened to me or anybody else at home nothing would happen, at least because I am not a top rider there. So why bother about me?” Danek said.

Danek’s bike remains missing in the Taupo area. He has until November 20 for someone to return the machine before the Czech Republic team closes the container and ship it back to their homeland.

Stolen ISDE Bike Forces Retirement

Vaclav Danek is out of the 2006 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), based at the Taupo Motorsport Park. The ISDE will be held in and around Taupo from November 14 – 19, and features 31 competing nations.

The Czech Republic rider had his uninsured Husaberg 450T motorcycle stolen from a well hidden but unlocked garage at his Taupo motel around 4.00am, Sunday morning. Fame number VBKHUA4046M314838. Danek was set to ride for the well organised Motoklub Jiretin Mitas team.

Jan Vesely’s KTM 525 4T was also stolen, however this was discovered hidden in nearby bushes at 5.30am by a local DOC worker. The KTM was ridden away from the scene but ran out of fuel.

Danek, 47, said he put all of his savings into buying the bike and flying out to NZ to compete in his second ISDE. He has now run out of time to find a replacement ISDE bike for the event and said the loss has forced his retirement from the ISDE, and will likely end his career. “I didn’t have a thought [to lock the garage] because it is New Zealand, which I thought was a famous, safe country. I was hoping my bike could be found, as with the first one. I was looking forward to the races as I could see New Zealand has good tracks,” Danek said, who is departing NZ on November 20.

The Czech Republic had their 40’ container held up at the wharf, arriving late last week, causing the team to postpone official ISDE technical inspection from Thursday to Sunday morning. If the container had not been delayed, Danek’s machine would have been in Parc Ferme.

Taupo Police are investigating the theft.

The official Opening Ceremony kicks off along Taupo’s main street at 5.00pm today. All 620 riders from 31 countries march in their national uniforms before formal opening speeches.

Photo credits; Terry Stevenson.

- Vaclav Danek

- Parc Ferme, Taupo Motorsport Park

Schedule of the 2006 ISDE; 31 Nations, 6 days, 620 riders - 1 winner.