American
Motorcyclist Association congratulates Team USA on
successful showing at International Six Days Enduro
Pickerington,
Ohio - The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
congratulates the members, volunteers, sponsors and
staff who were part of the Team USA effort at the
International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Serres, Greece,
this September 1-6. The U.S. Trophy Team finished on the
podium, the team's best result at the ISDE since the
Trophy Team finished second in 1982, while the U.S.
Women's Trophy Team finished second in the women's
division and the Junior Trophy Team scored a hard-fought
12th.
"The ISDE represents one of the most difficult
tests of man and machine, and the AMA is proud of the
riders and crew who made this year's Team USA a
success," said Bryan Cohn, AMA senior director of
racing. "The effort this year was one of the most
organized ever, and that was reflected in the results.
Despite a few bad breaks, Team USA had a strong showing
among the world's best off-road riders at what,
historically, has been one of our most challenging
events."
The U.S. Trophy Team faced huge odds this year. On the
third day of the contest, the team's strongest rider,
Kurt Caselli, crashed out of the event. Caselli, the
early leader of the event, was battling for the overall
lead with multi-time ISDE overall top rider Juha
Salminen. Despite the loss of Caselli and riding with
only five of six allowable riders, the U.S. Trophy
Team's remaining members claimed a coveted podium
finish, edging Finland for third overall on the last
day.
In all, Team USA scored 10 gold, 15 silver and two
bronze medals, with another finisher. There were two
DNFs. This is one of the U.S. team's strongest
performances at the "Olympics of
Motorcycling."
"This has been a tough road to get here this year,
but a number of individual volunteers stepped it up and
we had a fantastic ISDE," said Chuck Weir, AMA
Off-Road Director. "Bruce Wakeley, Jay Hall and all
of the volunteers who worked in the checks and works
areas to service the riders as they arrived really
stepped up. Even though long-time supporter Rick 'Gunny'
Claypoole couldn't make it this year, he has taught us
well and we carried on, and I think we did a great job.
"Of course, the riders deserve the bulk of the
credit," Weir added. "Some highlights include
U.S. Women's Trophy Team member Maria Forsley, who
finished second in her class in her first ISDE. Jeff
Fredette received the first-place trophy for riders over
50. Ricky Dietrich finished second in the E2 class and
second overall. Rory Sullivan captured second in the
tough C3 class."
A number of dedicated sponsors kicked in critical funds
and other means of support to the entire Team USA
effort. Companies that made Team USA a possibility in
2008 included Arai Helmets, Spectro Lubricants, Kenda
Tires, Bob Lamphere's Beaverton Honda Yamaha, MSR,
Tucker Rocky, Mountain Glass and Fly Racing. Also
helping out were all the die-hard fans who bought an
official Team USA ISDE T-shirt, all proceeds of which
went to support the transport of riders, bikes and crew
to Greece.
In addition, the AMA recognizes the successful efforts
of these riders at the 2008 ISDE:
Trophy Team: Kurt Caselli, Ricky Dietrich, Jimmy
Jarrett, Destry Abbott, Nathan Kanney, Nathan Woods
Junior Trophy Team: David Kamo, Joe Giordano, Ben Smith,
Ryan Lee Powell, Josh Morros
Women's Trophy Team: Nicole Bradford, Amanda Mastin,
Maria Forsberg
Club Teams: JAFMAR, Dennis Decker, Jeff Fredette, Eric
Jordan; Lubbock Trail Riders, Dan Capparelli, Nolan
Irwin, Kyle Kubitschek; Missouri Mudders, Lars Valin,
William Burns, Ben Smith; Desert MC, Chilly White, Sean
White, Kevin Hutchinson; Carter Engineering, Annell
Allen, Jim Conner, Justin Lipana; Team Oregon, Dennis
Sweeten, Mason Harrison, Sean Sullivan; Trail Riders of
Houston, Fred Hoess, Luke McNeil, Rory Sullivan.
The ISDE is one of the longest-running competitive
events in motorcycling. It began in Carlisle, England,
in 1913 and has run every year since with the exceptions
of breaks for the two World Wars. Today, the ISDE is one
of the most grueling, longest off-road races in the
world.
In addition to overall team honors, riders earn medals
for their performances. Riders who finish within 10% of
their class winner receive gold medals. Riders finishing
within 40% of that score receive a silver medal. Riders
finishing the event with never being more then one hour
late for any check get a bronze medal.
About the American Motorcyclist
Association
Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and
protected the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come
from all walks of life and they navigate many different
roads on their journey to the same destination: freedom on
two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycle organization
with nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for
motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and
federal government, the committees of international
governing organizations and the court of public opinion.
Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA
sanctions more motorsports competition events than any
other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle
Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of
motorcycling for future generations. For more information,
visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.