27.08.2021
95th running of International Six Days Enduro
LOMBARDY-PIEDMONT, Italy – With Opening Ceremonies just around the corner for the 95th edition of the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Lombardy-Piedmont, Italy, a new generation of American offroad riders are set to carry the torch into the iconic week-long event. Led by KTM-mounted ISDE veterans Taylor Robert and Brandy Richards, the defending (2019) U.S. World Trophy and Women’s World Trophy Team Champions will look to uphold their titles again in 2021, while KTM’s Dante Oliveira and the Junior World Trophy Team will fight to reclaim gold in their respective division.
In the absence of the 2020 ISDE, this year’s highly-anticipated event will be a welcomed congregation for all 20 of the competing nations, and it’s one that the U.S. squad is ready to take on come Monday morning. With a versatile lineup of American offroad talent, the World Trophy Team includes FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Robert, the 2016 ISDE overall winner and three-time class winner aboard the KTM 450 XC-F; 2015 ISDE overall winner Ryan Sipes on a GASGAS EC 300 TPI; sophomore Layne Michael on a Yamaha YZ450F and newcomer Johnny Girroir on a GASGAS EC 250F.
The 2021 U.S. Junior World Trophy Team, made up of riders age 23 and younger includes FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Dante Oliveira, who will be headlining the team’s efforts aboard the KTM 450 XC-F. Austin Walton will join him on the Husqvarna FX 450, as well as Cody Barnes, aboard a Honda CRF250R.
KTM-Supported rider Brandy Richards leads the defending Women's World Trophy Team Champions into the week with a strong outlook as she enters her third year aboard the KTM 350 XC-F. Rachel Gutish, who is also no stranger to the ISDE, joins the team aboard the Husqvarna FX 350, alongside first-timer Britney Gallegos on a Husqvarna FX 250.
Antti Kallonen, U.S. Trophy Team Manager: “We arrived here plenty early with the team to get acclimated to the time difference and the weather and we have spent the last week walking the course and familiarizing ourselves. The course surprised us a little bit – the tests are long and fast – which we thought they would be shorter and more compact/tighter. I think it’s actually going to suit our style of the west coast riders the most because they can go a little faster on the bigger bikes but overall, I think these conditions will suit all of the riders very well. We’re looking forward to getting started with opening ceremonies on Saturday and then with the racing on Monday.”
Taylor Robert: “Obviously this was supposed to happen last year but it got pushed back a year, so here we are and we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve been here for seven days now, looking at the special tests, walking and trying to memorize every single turn that we can. Honestly, it looks really good! It’s kind of a mix between east coast and west coast, which really kind of favors our team. The vegetation is very similar to east coast, but the dirt is almost west coast dry and kind of rocky and dusty. I’m looking forward to it, I think we have a solid group of guys that can put in solid results.”
Dante Oliveira: “I got here on Monday and we have been walking tests all week, it’s super awesome. There’s a lot of high speed stuff, a bunch of off-cambers, and a bunch of different terrain from rocks to hard-pack to slick stuff, so there’s a little bit of everything. I think it’s going to be good; it seems to suit the west coast style of racing so I’m excited and ready to go get after it!”
Brandy Richards: “I’m super stoked to be here this year in Italy. We’ve got a new team, so it’s a fresh start and we’re pretty excited to come and defend our title. We’ve been walking the tests all week and it’s been quite the long week. We were extremely surprised with the tests – they’re a lot more high-speed and super dry and dusty like we’re used to – so we’re really excited. We’re itching to get out there and see how we do, I think we’re going to do great!”
The 2021 FIM ISDE kicks off this Saturday, Aug. 28 with Opening Ceremonies from follow Lombardy-Piedmont, Italy. For updates on KTM riders, follow along on
Instagram and be on the lookout for daily recaps on all of the U.S. teams.