Finland prepares for 2011 ISDE

The 2011 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) is only a few days away as the World's greatest riders and their respective teams arrive in the coastal town of Kotka, southern Finland. Located approximately one hundred and fifty kilometres east of Helsinki, Kantasatama harbour will act as the main paddock area for riders and teams from over twenty-five countries.

Spain and Finland are perhaps the favourites to take the World Trophy title as both countries have put forward strong squads for 2011. Finland share a long and illustrious history with the ISDE having claimed seven wins over the last twenty years. In stark contrast to this, despite experiencing high levels of success in the Junior Trophy category, Spain has never lifted the World Trophy award and will be looking to claim their first title this time around.

The Finnish World Trophy squad will be lead into action by seasoned ISDE campaigner Juha Salminen – Husqvarna. Having been a member of six previous winning ISDE teams, Juha brings a wealth of knowledge rivalled by few others. At the helm of Spain's challenge is ex FIM Enduro World Champion Ivan Cervantes – Gas Gas who currently sits ninth in the E2 category of the World series. With the likes of the highly experienced Cristobal Guerrero – KTM and reigning Enduro Junior champion Oriol Mena – Husaberg included in the team, Spain are in a prominent position to fight for their first victory.

Similarly to the World Trophy class, the Junior Trophy category has also seen the flood gates opened to the possibility of a new winner this year. After recording victory at the previous two editions of the ISDE, Spain find themselves with a far less experienced team this time around. With all four members of the 2010 Junior Trophy winning team graduating up to the World Trophy category for 2011, Spain has brought in new riders to form their Junior line-up. With this in mind France will be out to claim their first Junior Trophy victory since 2003. Spearheading their attack will be Benoit Fortunato – Yamaha who currently finds himself fourth in the EJ class of the World championship.

Once again France arrives as favourites to top the Women's class, having done so for the past three years. Leading the Women's class of the FIM Enduro World Championship, Ludivine Puy – Gas Gas will head the French team as they look to claim their third consecutive title. Despite this, the American Women's squad of Nicole Bradford – KTM, Amanda Mastin – Husqvarna and Kerrie Swartz – KTM will be keen to reclaim the trophy, which they last lifted in 2007. Apart from Finland, the United States remain the only other country to have won the Women's International Six Days Enduro title since it was first introduced four years ago.

The 2011 International Six days Enduro will commence on Monday, August 8 and finish on Saturday, August 13. The event will be situated in and around the region of Kotka-Hamina in southern Finland with a total course length of approximately one thousand, five hundred kilometres. Days one and two will run over the same course and will consist of two laps per day, with two time checks and four special tests per lap.

Day three's route will only be used once and will feature one lap covering three hundred kilometres, including three time checks and six special tests. Days four and five, again will share the same course, and will be made up of two laps per day and will include two time checks and three special tests per lap. As is tradition the final day of the competition will see the riders take part in a motocross test situated at Karhula motocross track.