ISDE 2005

Report - By Oliver Moyce

I left for the International Six Days Enduro in Povazska Bystrica on Monday night at 10pm. At Dover I met up with Team England (the manager Chris Whitehouse, Kiwi, James Yearley and Andy Frost). We were all ready for a good old road trip.

The ferry crossing was 2 hours long and went to Dunkirk. The driving started and after going through 7 different countries, circling Vienna a few times and around 20 something hours on the road we finally reached our destination and our bed. The next day we looked around Povazska Bystrica, which was going to become our new hometown for the next 2 weeks, and figured out the place. It was a very picturesque country with very tall mountainous hills and woodland.

The rest of the British riders arrived either that day or the next and we set up the pop ups so we had a nice little camp to work out of. I was just on the end of team England, even though I was riding for the GB team it didn’t matter because they were virtually next to each other. I then met up with my GB Junior teammates and it wasn’t long before we were all good friends.

The next few days were a mixture of testing, adjusting and walking. We had to scrutineer at 13.30 on Saturday so the bikes needed to be sorted for then. There were also 9 special tests to be walked, all around 5-6 minutes long (riding time). Unfortunately the organisers were trying to follow the rules by the book and didn’t even have 1 test taped out until the Sunday (bearing in mind the event started on the Tuesday). This made Sunday and Monday long days of walking, although we did find a few tests which were unmarked earlier on in the week and walked them to save too much walking on the final few days.

All the bikes went into the parc ferme without any problems and it was time to start thinking about racing.

On the Sunday we walked some tests and then went to the opening ceremony, which started at 17.30. This was held in the local football stadium and it was amazing to see how many locals turned up. The atmosphere was brilliant and they had some impressive displays with freestyle MX and trials demonstrations.

Monday was the time for final preparations, getting goggles ready, getting check boxes ready, kit and also getting some information about the course from our pre course rider Geraint Jones. This was very useful and let us know what we were to expect.

Early night ready for the start in the morning…

Day 1 ,

The minibus left the hotel at 6.50am so breakfast was at 6.30am and then it was off to the pits. It was a nice day for racing and would only get hotter as the day went on. I started at 8.33am and the bike started first kick.

The first few special tests were very slippery as it was unridden grass but luckily the Enduro test was not timed on the first lap. The going was very good with steep uphill climbs and tricky downhill sections connected with flowing tracks with some amazing scenery.

I got to the second motocross test, which was just after a check. The start of the test was very wide and there were lots of people all trying to get on the test at the same time. Consequently I was pushed back and then lost a minute on the next check because of it. I stayed clean for the rest of the day and had some good test times but they wouldn’t give me the minute back. In the work area at the end of the day I changed my rear tyre and a filter and a few other little bits.

Day Result….

GB World Trophy Team – 5 th

GB Junior Trophy Team – 6 th

Day 2,

This day was a little bit tighter but the course had dried out and the special tests were very grippy. I had some good test times throughout the day but on the last test I crashed twice causing me to lose about 40 seconds.

During the days riding my rear mudguard had come loose and then found itself a nice little home in the Slovakian hillside. At the end of the day I changed a front tyre, Air filter and took off the existing parts of the mudguard. Back to the parc ferme.

Day Result….

GB World Trophy Team – 6 th

GB Junior Trophy Team – 5 th

Day 3,

New course, new times and a new mudguard that was fitted in the morning work period.

It went on well and I started just on time. The first check was surprisingly tight and I only made it on my minute (luckily it was a no fuel check). This lead straight onto the first motocross test of the day, which was very slippery in places but very grippy in others. The test was going reasonably well until the last real straight and corner where it was like ice and the back end slid round and then I got some grip from somewhere because it proceeded to high side and flick me off the bike onto the rock hard ground. I finished the test but was in a lot of pain. I decided to try and ride it off so proceeded to ride the next check but 15 minutes down the line and I couldn’t put my left hand onto the bars. Luckily as I was going down a little road section I saw Gwyn (the GB team manager), explained what had happened and he said not to worry and go back to the pits. I rode back to the pits and then visited the hospital. I got the x-ray back and the Swedish doctor who I was chatting to, told me that I had moved the collar bone up and torn all the ligaments that connect it. When I got back to the pits I was told that my team-mate, Special Greg (Greg Evans), had dislocated his wrist in the Enduro test and was also out. This was my 6 days over which was very upsetting really because I don’t think I quite showed my full potential.

For the rest of the week I watched (not that I was happy to be watching). It was good in a way to see how the top guys ride because you never get to watch when you are riding against them.

Day 4,

Day 4 was dry with the rain threatening all the time but there were no problems apart from Tom Sager pulling out after crashing and hurting his already recovering wrist. This left only Lee Ed left in the Junior Trophy Team. Kiwi was on about his 4 th rear mudguard. I think it was because he hasn’t practised his wheelies and showboating just isn’t his game…ha ha.

Day 5,

This was a very wet day and lots of people lost time. It reminded me of the weather at the Crychan or the Brechfa British Champs. I was told that the going wasn’t too challenging but it made it difficult because of the weather. This was where the GB World Trophy team shone and Paul Ed won his class as well as Knighter and all the other guys had very good rides.

Day Result…

GB World Trophy Team – 4 th (not too far away from Sweden in 3 rd)

Day 6,

Only a short ride before reaching the final motocross test. It was a very well prepared track and with it being in perfect condition the racing was always going to be good. Of course I was very annoyed I wasn’t out there. After all the races and no problems the team ended up in 4 th and the Italians won both Junior + World Cup.

David Knight who was riding for the GB World trophy team won the final motocross and the whole event overall. Good lad… Flying the British flag at the end.

Next year in New Zealand will be good.

I would just like to thank everybody who has helped me with this experience.

GH Motorcycles

The Sidcup Club

DEP

Watling Tyres

Roger Brown Trophies

Alan Greenwood Gardening

Scott Goggles

Acerbis

Enduro Tech Suspension (Chris Hockey)

Gwyn Barraclough

All the pit crews

Dave May Miller

Dusty

All the refuelling crews for doing a brilliant job and always having a smile on their face.

And anyone else who helped me throughout the I.S.D.E 2005.

Thanks

Ollie Moyce

Update

The result of all British riders as compiled by Bob Mullins (enduronews.com) are here (PDF)

Oliver retired on day 3 with what we hear is an injured arm - we'll update you with news later

Introduction - By Enduro Secretary Alan Woods

Hello, it is a very proud moment for the Sidcup and District MCC, as one of our young up and coming enduro stars has been chosen to represent our country in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE). Oliver Moyce, who currently competes at all the centre events, as well as the British Enduro Championship and Fast Eddy series as an Expert in the E2 class (up to 250 2 stroke / 450 4 stroke), has been chosen to be a member of the Junior Trophy team (under21’s), one of 2 official ACU teams for Great Britain. I understand that his very impressive performance at the recent European Enduro Championship round in Wales finalized his selection. This young man is certain to be a star of the future.

He is currently supported by Gavin Hockey Motorcycles in Colchester and rides a WR250 Husqvarna.

I am appealing for support and sponsorship for Oliver, and in return, you will be mentioned in dispatches and/or have your company name emblazoned on his shirt and/or bike. Remember that the ISDE is televised and transmitted to about 50 countries via the satellite network, including Sky TV!

This year the ISDE is being held in the Slovak Republic, at Povazska Bystrica, from Tuesday 13th September to Sunday 18th September.

All the information can be found on the website, www.isdeslovakia.sk

If you are interested in offering Oliver support, however big or small, then please contact myself by e-mail at alan_m_woods@yahoo.com or my phone number and address are in the Compass.

We are hoping for donations or spares that may be needed during this gruelling six day event.

If you have a logo that you want to be displayed, then please forward it to me as a sticker for the bike or for screen printing on Oliver’s shirt.

Thanks

Alan Woods

Enduro Secretary

Sidcup & DMCC

ISDE Schedule

THE START

The start begins each day at 8 a.m. in the adjacent area of the Football stadium Povazska Bystrica. The start will take place in accordance with the provisions of Article 061.57 of the FIM ISDE Regulations.

THE TRACK

The total length of the track, including the special tests, is 1396 km. The distance between the time checkpoints will be set in accordance with Article 061.57 of the FIM ISDE Regulations.

1st Day

2 laps, an approximate distance 250 km, with 8 time checks + Pre finish and Finish tests. It is necessary to complete 6 special tests (4 Cross tests and 2 Enduro tests).

2nd Day

2 laps, an approximate distance 250 km, with 8 time checks + Pre finish and Finish tests. It is necessary to complete 6 special tests (4 Cross tests and 2 Enduro tests). Track for the second day is the same as that for the first day.

3rd Day

2 laps, an approximate distance 280 km, with 10 time checks + Pre finish and Finish tests. It is necessary to complete 6 special tests (4 Cross tests and 2 Enduro tests).

4th Day

2 laps, an approximate distance 280 km, with 10 time checks + Pre finish and Finish tests. It is necessary to complete 6 special tests (4 Cross tests and 2 Enduro tests). Track for the 4th day is the same as that for the 3rd day.

5th Day

2 laps, an approximate distance 280 km, with 11 time checks + Pre finish and Finish tests. It is necessary to complete 6 special tests (2 Cross tests and 4 Enduro tests).

6th Day

1 lap, an approximate distance 56 km, with 1 time checks + Pre finish and Finish tests. The final Motocross test has 10 laps, each lap measures 1.5 km, giving a total distance of 15 km.