USA

Starting the event as defending champions, the USA’s FIM International Six Days’ of Enduro Women’s World Trophy team picked up where it left off last season in Argentina to establish its dominance onday one in Silleda in the Galicia region of north-west Spain. With 2023 riders Brandy Richards (KTM) and Rachel Gutish (Sherco) joining forces with Ava Silvestri (GASGAS) for the ninety-eighth edition of the NOCO FIM 6DAYS®, on paper it looked a formidable team and the trio certainly lived up to expectations. Led by twenty-eight-year-old Richards who repeated her incredible performance last year by posting the fastest times on all six days of action, the USA took an immediate lead from six-time winnersAustralia and simply refused to relax its grip. As the other nations found them selves out paced by the leading two countries, the battle for the top stepof the podium ragedthroughout the course of the eventand although Australia took thirty-five seconds out of the lead on day five, the USA fought back to eventually win by almost six-and-a-half minutes. The result means Richards–who was also a member of the winning team in 2019 and 2021–is nowa four-time NOCO FIM 6DAYS®champion.

PALMARES

FIM International Six Days’ of Enduro Women’s World Trophy Champions: 2007, 2019, 2021, 2023,2024

UNITED STATES’ WOMEN SEAL HISTORIC VICTORY 

Matching their male counterparts, the American ladies created their own piece of Enduro history, with the trio of Rebecca Sheets (KTM), Brandy Richards (KTM) and Tarah Gieger (Honda) securing United States’ second FIM Women’s World Trophy win, their first since topping the inaugural running of the category in 2007. Bravely putting an end to Australia’s six-year winning streak, the United States rightfully earned their place on the top step of the podium in Portimao. 

“The nerves were really high coming into the final day, I think everyone was so relieved to cross the finish line as World champions,’ commented Brandy Richards. “We’ve had a brilliant week and aside from some minor moments, we’ve been strong every day and I think that’s been the key this year.” 

“The FIM ISDE is so tough - it wears you down, but you’ve just got to keep fighting. We did that and now finally the victory is ours. Also, with the boys winning the FIM World Trophy class too, it’s certainly put the United States on top!” 

With a healthy margin over Great Britain in third, Germany put in a solid final day of riding to claim their place as runners-up in the category. In what has been a successful FIM ISDE debut, Great Britain took third overall and are sure to become title contender in future editions. 

Sweden held off Spain to take fifth, while Portugal will be pleased with their efforts on home soil for sixth.