The opening day of competition at the 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Chile saw Team USA take an early lead in the World Trophy category, edging out Team Australia by a slender margin of four seconds, while Spain rounded out the top three.

At the head of the field, the United States and Australia were quick to make their presence felt as they went back and forth in the overall standings. Consistently topping the classification, the two teams began to pull clear, with the USA eventually getting the better of Australia on day one.

Behind Spain in third, Italy ended their opening day fourth, while defending champions France had a slow start to their week, placing almost two minutes behind the leaders in fifth.

It was Italy who took command of the Junior World Trophy class heading into day two. Eager to set the pace, the three riders placed consistently well within the overall individual classification.

Behind them, defending champions France are within striking distance of their rivals, sitting thirteen seconds adrift as runners up on day one. With only a further twenty seconds separating France from third placed United States, competition is already proving close in the junior category as Australia ranked fifth.

Team Australia were quick to establish their dominance in the Women’s World Trophy category, taking a commanding lead on day one. Led by Husqvarna’s Tayla Jones, the defending champions have already pulled over 90 seconds clear of the United States in second, with Spain a further 2m16s back in third.

With Taylor Robert (KTM Factory Racing) fastest outright, the KTM rider also topped the E2 category. Following Robert home for second overall on day one was Australia’s Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team), who was also the best-placed E3 competitor, while Robert’s teammate Ryan Sipes (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) was quickest in E1.

Australians Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Enduro Racing Team) and Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) were sixth and seventh in the E1 standings, as Josh Strang (Husqvarna) was eighth in E2. Sanders controls the E3 division with AORC champion Daniel Milner (KTM Motocross Racing Team) in second, while Andrew Wilksch (Sherco) and Thomas Mason (KTM) were 13th and 14th respectively.

Out front in the Women’s class was Jones with compatriot Mackenzie Tricker (KTM) in third, followed by Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) in eighth. Day two of the ISDE will see riders complete the same Pacific Challenge course.

Detailed results