ISDE: Belgian team ready for Finnish sand!
Today, Monday starts in the Finse port city Kotka de IS THE or to International Six Days Enduro. The largest enduro race in the world.
In contrast to last year in Mexico, many more countries have made the move to Finland. Belgium This year, in addition to the Trophy team, will send two more club teams. The KNMV In addition to a Trophy team, it also fielded a Junior team and a number of club teams. Not surprising because in the Finnish sand the Dutch chances increase dramatically.
Yet the ISDE suffered a sporting blow even before the start when this became known France, the defending champion in the Trophy, will not be sending a Trophy team this year. Also Italy, traditionally a strong enduro country, does not compete with its best riders. And that of course increases the home country's chances of winning Finland. The Finns are with us Juha Salminen, Matti Seistola en Eero Remes this year outstanding in it World Cup E1. This will probably be no different in the forests around Kotka.
Unlike last year, when the Belgian team was more of a combination of a club team and a Trophy team, the Belgians will now start with a stronger team. Becomes the pacesetter of the team Jean-François Goblet (D'Ieteren Sport Yamaha – E2). Goblet has years of experience in the World Enduro Championship and is having his best season yet this year. Jerome Martiny (Lejeune Motosport Husqvarna – E2), the AMPL motocross rider who immediately impressed at the Inters E1 in the BK Enduro last year, is starting his first ISDE. Adrien Vandommele (MB Racing TM – E1), the youngster of the Belgian team, was already there last year.
Bob Van Looveren (Suzuki -E2) was already selected for the ISDE a year after its enduro debut. De Kempenaar provides care together with a veteran Wim Vanderheyden (Husaberg Belgium – E3) for the Flemish input into the Belgian ISDE team.
In the last resort, however, Steve Goblet had to be replaced by the experienced one Pierre Schmits (KTM – E2) a rider who competes in the Belgian Championship with the Gentlemen. There is no doubt that Schmits is the weak link in terms of speed Team Belgium will be, but Schmits has previously successfully completed a number of ISDEs.
Given the sandy surface, both the Belgian and Dutch teams have the prospect of a top-10 ranking. Or who knows even better…. We will continue to monitor it for you.
Photo Credit: Team Belgium/BMB
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