Aussie Junior ISDE team grabs podium

Posted: Mon 20 Nov 2006

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: www.rally-vysledky.com/rallysport/2006/6d/1

The 2007 ISDE will be held in Chile in November.