A huge contingent of Yamaha riders make up an impressive line-up for the Australian International Six Day team (ISDE) and are ready to roost in France next week as they contest the 2022 event in France.
Josh Green, Kyron Bacon, Blake Hollis and Jess Gardiner make up the backbone of an impressive Australian contingent that will take on the best in the world in a national teams’ event across six days. The ISDE is a long running and the most prestigious Off-Road motorcycle event in the world dating back to 1913. It is a true test of man and machine and also a massive team effort to achieve success. Australia will have three teams represented at the 2022 ISDE – a four rider senior team featuring Josh Green, Todd Waters, Daniel Milner and Andy Wilksch. A three-rider junior team (riders under 23) consisting of Kyron Bacon, Blake Hollis, Korey McMahon and three rider Women’s team headlined by Jess Gardiner, Emilie Karlsson and Ebony Nelson.
For seasoned veterans like Josh Green or Jess Gardiner, even after multiple victories and countless attendances, the ISDE still shapes as one of the most important events in their racing calendar.
“I love competing at this event and it’s something I will look back on fondly when I retire from racing. I have been fortunate enough to be on a victorious team and the memories are still with me and that’s what drives me to do well at this years’ race.
“It is a tough and challenging as any off-road event with some of the toughest terrain and tightest schedules, not to mention going up against the best riders in the world.
“I think we have a great team this year and all the riders are desperate to do well, so I look forward to joining the entire team in France and trying to win another world championship for Australia,” Green explains.
Even after winning a record six times, Jess Gardiner is still motivated to lead the Women’s team to another victory in France and has been working hard to make it a reality.
“It's funny how time changes everything. In 2013, I was the rookie of the team just hoping to do a good job and not let my teammates down, now I’m the veteran and trying to guide the other girls through another ISDE. But I still love racing the ISDE and feel we have a good team that is capable of a great result,” says the six-time winner, Jess Gardiner.
“I have spent some time in France and think this year will be a great event. Due to covid last year, we were unable to attend so it’s exciting to get back to the ISDE and hopefully team Australia can get on the podium one more time,” she ends.
For Kyron Bacon, currently leading the Australian Off-Road Championship, this will be his first ISDE and an experience he can’t wait to be a part of. Bacon’s form in 2022 has been a revelation and if the Australian Four Day Enduro is anything to go by, the young Tasmanian should have his sights set high.
“I hear the older guys talk about the 6-Day all the time and they always have these amazing stories to tell, so I can’t get there fast enough,” he begins. “I think we have a great junior team and all three of us are riding well and I think the terrain in France will suit us, so we should look for a decent result and we would all love to win it again for Australia.
“The last time the junior team won was 2019, so it would be good to get another one and maybe that might keep Greeny quiet for a while because he keeps telling me about it,” he laughs.
The 2022 edition of the ISDE gets under way on August 29 and runs through to September 3 in Le Puy en Velay, France with the team flying out a week prior. The last time the Australian senior team won was 2018, the juniors were victories in 2019 while the women reigned supreme for 2013 to 2018.