No Drama on Day 4
Sometimes no information is good news and with the kind of luck the US Team riders have been getting during the first three days of the ISDE in France, a noiseless Day Four is a welcome view. Today was overcast and much cooler and started off with a little bit of rainfall, which made it tough for the riders on the first rows. Taylor Robert took over the lead in the E3 class despite having what he called “his worst day yet”. Frenchman Christophe Nambotin, who was top the class, fell in a exchange section and injured his hands, dropping him off the pace.
Both Robert and Ryan Sipes finished within the top-10 for the day and each still has a chance at the overall individual honor. Sipes is fourth in the E1 class after four days.
Despite struggling a crash on one of the tests, Layne Michael had his best day yet finishing 20th overall, and and his teammates remain in third behind France and Italy at the end of four days.
“Just a little mistake cost me, however it is what it is, ” said Erina. “Other than that one mistake I believe I had a pretty good day. ”
The US Women’s team sits in 2nd behind Australia, making two ALL OF US squads with a chance to land in the podium.
“This was my worst day, let’s place it like that, ” said Taylor Robert. “I struggle in the wet grass because I’m riding a five hundred, and it doesn’t turn as easy so when I get on the gas this wants to step out because it has so much torque. I felt like I was doing pretty good, and I was making good time in some of the early, slippery lab tests, but then I crashed in one of these and lost about 10 second because my bike stayed on top of the hill and I rolled to the bottom of the hill. I’m just a little bummed about my day, but we’ve got one more day to get something done. ”
Shan Moore
Thomas Sipes had one crash all in all, but other than that he had a good time. “I feel like I rode much better, other than that crash, ” said Sipes. “I think I’m starting to work out how these guys over here are riding the lines with the ruts, and I could change up my lines later on in the race and pick up the pace a little. ”
Shan Moore
Kailub Russell had his best time yet and said he sensed he was finally getting the hang of things near the end of the day. “It was mentally draining at the start of the day because I would feel like I used to be riding well and I would come in and look at the times and I was getting smoked, ” said Russell. “In the second test I actually experienced good and I caught the man in front of me, but then I stalled my bike near the end of the test, so that was frustrating, despite the fact that I was pretty close to being on par. The third test was I believe the slickest grass track I’ve ever ridden. Even some of the Club guys were finishing 20 mere seconds faster than even the best guys here just because they were on late rows. The last few tests I experienced good and I charged and I sensed really good on the bike. In the last check I put it all together and I felt really good about my times. So that is something to build on therefore I’m looking forward to tomorrow. ”
Shan Moore
Grant Baylor jumps up a big dirt mound in the “Moto” section today. The South Carolina rider has already established a solid Six Days so far.
Shan Moore
There was a lot of roadwork at this year’s ISDE, sending the riders by means of several small but picturesque towns.
Shan Moore
Club rider Ty Tremaine crests a hill with a castle in the background. The scenery in this particular part of France is beautiful. Ty finished seventh today in the C2 class and sits sixth overall.
Shan Moore
This is Becca Sheet’s first ISDE (as it is for the rest of the united states Women’s team), and after a very tense and physically demanding first day because of mechanical issues, Becca has come on strong the last few days and helped lead her team to a solid second in the overall team standings.
“Today was good, ” said Becca. “I wouldn’t say it was simpler, but it went a lot better than the first 3 days. One more hard day after which I think Saturday’s motocross test will be an easy day. ”
Shan Moore
Brandi Richards was second in the initial test behind Australia’s Tayla Jones, but she admitted that she had a few mistakes in the next couple of tests, though the KTM factory driver turned in a solid performance in the last three tests.
Shan Moore
Frenchman Jeremy Tarroux has been killing it and he’s a big reason the French are leading the World Trophy division.
Shan Moore
Bill Kelley has been impressive in latest off-road and extreme races in the usa and he’s proving to be a strong Six Days rider, as well, assisting to lead his Trail Jesters KTM Racing team to the top of the Golf club standings. Ben finished second in the C1 class today and 2nd overall.
Shan Moore