Taylor Robert Maintains ISDE Overall Lead After Day 2, USA Junior World Trophy Team Moves into Second

VINA DEL MAR, Chile – With day two in the books from the 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), the U.S. World Trophy Teams are continuing strong in the fight to bring home the gold. Repeating the same special test routes from day one, the riders were once again faced with extremely dusty conditions as they battled through rougher terrain for the second day of racing from Vina del Mar, Chile.

WORLD TROPHY TEAM (WT)

With a valiant performance on the opening day, the U.S. World Trophy Team was able to make up a lot of ground to put themselves into a much better start position for Tuesday’s racing. However, in a head-to-head battle with Team Australia on day two, the Americans collectively lost some ground as they now sit 1:31.31behind the Australians heading into day three tomorrow.

FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Taylor Robert continues to hold onto the individual lead with a solid run today aboard his KTM 450 XC-F. Robert claimed another test win on the day, finishing strong to maintain almost three seconds in the overall classification. Robert also leads the E2 class by nearly two minutes.

It was a solid day for Tely Energy Racing KTM’s Steward Baylor Jr., who made strides in the individual classification to move up to eighth-place. Baylor was able to contribute the second-best time for the World Trophy Team and also bump up to fifth-place in the E2 class.

Ryan Sipes (HQV) contributed the team’s score on day two, despite a dramatic crash on the last test that caused him to lose about 30 seconds at the end of the day. Zach Bell (HQV) continued to push through day two, despite a challenging day in the overall results.

“We were off just a little today,” said U.S. Trophy Team Manager, Antti Kallonen. “I’m not sure why but we will need to regroup and come out swinging for tomorrow. It’s a new course for days three and four and I like to think this could give us the needed change.”

JUNIOR WORLD TROPHY TEAM (JWT)

With Tely Energy Racing KTM’s Grant Baylor at the forefront, the U.S. Junior World Trophy Team propelled themselves into second-place, surpassing France on day two. Team Italy put forth a strong performance to increase the gap to 2:47.90, but the KTM trio looks to bounce back with fresh terrain on days three and four.

Grant Baylor continues to impress, finishing as the top JWT rider with seventh overall. Baylor nabbed a top-five finish in special test five and followed it up with sixth-overall in the final test of the day, also giving him an impressive third overall standing in E2.

It was a solid day for FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Toth, who now sits eighth in the E1 class after two days of racing. Toth didn’t have any major issues on day two and he looks forward to a new set of challenges tomorrow. Trail Jesters/KTM Racing’s Ben Kelley didn’t have the strongest performance on day two but he was able to maintain a steady pace to contribute to the JWT Team’s push for second-place. 

WOMEN’S WORLD TROPHY TEAM

The Women’s World Trophy Team had a steady performance on day two, where they continue to fight a very tough Australian team. It was KTM-support rider Brandy Richards who proved strongest today as she moved into third overall with another consistent ride. Her KTM-mounted teammate, Becca Sheets, made big strides as she improved all of her special test finishes from day one. Sheets climbed up to eighth in the overall running.

Racing from the 2018 International Six Days Enduro will resume on Wednesday, November 14 with day three of six from Vina del Mar, Chile. For a list of complete results, please visit http://www.fim-isde-live.info.

World Trophy Classification (After Day 2 of 6)
1. Australia, 5:32:10.88

2. USA, +1:31.31

3. Italy, +3:23.53

4. France, +5:22.85

3. Spain, +5:36.15

Junior World Trophy Classification (After Day 2 of 6)

1. Italy, 5:37:58.66

2. USA, +2:47.90

3. France, +5:40.08

4. Australia, +7:02.19

5. Chile, +7:57.40

Women’s World Trophy Classification (After Day 2 of 6)

1. Australia, 4:11:23.74

2. USA, +3:14.16

3. Spain, +9:15.78

4. France, +13:26.46

5. Sweden, +24:49.41