During the first week of November the enduro World will be closely watching events unfold in San Juan in Argentina, where the eighty-ninth edition of the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) will take place. Attracting over five hundred riders from thirty different nations, this year’s ISDE is set to be a key event of the 2014 enduro calendar.
Delivering one of the standout performances at last year’s ISDE in Italy by placing as runner-up to France, the United States head to Latin America with high hopes of equalling or bettering that result. Growing stronger and stronger in the ISDE during the last few years, the United States have now become one of the most competitive nations in the race and want nothing more than to capture a debut win in the FIM World Trophy competition.
But for the six-man team of Michael Brown – Husqvarna, Thaddeus Duvall – Honda, Charlie Mullins – KTM, Zach Osborne – Husqvarna, Taylor Robert – KTM and Kailub Russell – KTM their participation in San Juan will be tinged with sadness. The United States will begin a new chapter in their recent ISDE participation following the loss of their team captain Kurt Caselli, who tragically lost his life shortly after last year’s event whilst competing in another competition.
Caselli played an integral role in bringing the United States back to the forefront of the ISDE. Regenerating interest in the event, Caselli led the United States to victory in the Junior World Trophy category in Lake Taupo, New Zealand back in 2006. Since that historic moment, he continued to act as team captain.
“Kurt’s love for the ISDE came from his dad Rich,” explains the US team manager Antti Kallonen. “Rich was determined to get the US on the World map and was instrumental in getting the team to New Zealand in 2006. Kurt’s passion for ISDE grew from there. When Rich passed away in 2008, Kurt took over as the team leader. His determination to make the US successful in the ISDE was huge. He put so much into the team and helped so many riders. He always wanted the US to be competing as one of the event’s best teams.”
Behind the scenes the United States World Trophy Team has been busy preparing themselves for this year’s six-day challenge. The belief that victory is possible rides high within the camp.
“Last year we equalled our best ever result and finished second.” continues Antti. “But we’re not stopping there. Our team is very motivated this year and there is not one rider that wouldn’t want anything more than to win for Kurt. We have done more preparation on all levels for this year’s race than we’ve done in the past. Our team knows it will be a very hard challenge but I feel we are ready.”
“We believe we can win the ISDE – that’s our goal. It would go down in the history books as the first ever win for the US, but more importantly it would be an incredible achievement in Kurt’s honour.”
The 2014 ISDE takes place in San Juan, Argentina from 3rd to 8th November inclusive.