International Six Days Enduro – Argentina
The 'International Six Days Enduro' will start in Argentina next Monday. The motorcycle six-day event is the Olympiad of enduro riding. The six-member Belgian six-day team is aiming for a place in the top ten. Team manager Philippe Borguet explains more.
Six days with a motorcycle at a specified average speed over large distances through often difficult terrain and being responsible for solving any technical problems yourself. The riders face this tough task in the International Six-Day Enduro (ISDE), often also called the Olympiad of motorsport. This year, the 89th edition of the team and individual competition will take place from November 3 to 8 in Argentina, in and around San Juan, the capital of the San Juan province in the Cuyo region, at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Belgium is represented by Cédric Cremer (Belgian champion 2014 Inters Enduro 1), Wim Vanderheyden (second in the BC 2014 Inters Enduro 3), Jérome Martiny (second in the BC Inters Enduro 2), Jérémy Fraselle (ninth in the BC Inters Enduro 2) Micka Despontin and Pierre Schmits. The team is led by Philippe Borguet.
Borguet was also responsible for the selection of the team. “We tried to get the best enduro riders and also some motocross riders, like Stefan Everts for the ISDE in Brazil in 2003. Unfortunately, that didn't work out due to injuries to some riders and some other problems," said Borguet. It is also not easy financially. The Belgian Motorcyclists' Union is making a major effort and there is also sponsorship from ELF, but this year a personal financial contribution from participants and team members (caregivers and mechanics) of approximately 3.000 euros per person is still required. “That already limits the number of potential participants,” says Borguet. The engines and equipment must be shipped in a container by boat. This means that it cannot be used for three months - from mid-September to the end of December - apart from the competition in Argentina. The Belgian team has also been able to reach an agreement with the German motorcycle association for container transport and can thus limit the costs. The Belgians also share the logistics costs with the Germans on site.
Heat
What awaits the Belgians in Argentina? Borguet: “I think the heat there could be a problem for our riders. Temperatures are expected between 30 and 40 degrees. In terms of terrain, our riders have enough experience to compete, both in sand and on hard, stony terrain, which is what the terrain around San Jun mainly consists of.” In preparation for the Six Days, the riders took part in the Belgian enduro championship and some of them also rode various motocross races. Over the past three months they have worked even more on their physical condition. Everyone has received their own program consisting of endurance and strength training.
The engines have also been overhauled. “We have checked all the technical equipment and also ensured that everything works, so that the riders can immediately find the necessary tools at the time controls. After all, they are the only ones who are allowed to work on the engine during the race. In addition, they must also be given drinks and food during these checks to cope with the journeys of seven to eight hours a day.”
How does Borguet see the chances of the Belgian team? “We are 'just' amateurs and we have to compete against real professionals for whom enduro is their profession. Usually our team flirts with the top ten. This year we think we will finish between fifth and tenth place,” said Borguet. The Belgians' opponents can often compete on all possible terrains for an entire season. Unfortunately, this is not the case in our country due to the strict legal restrictions, including on driving in forests in Wallonia. Enduro competitions have not been organized in Flanders for several years.
Taking advantage
For Philippe Borguet, the 2014 Six Days will be the fifteenth in which he acts as team manager. “I have been involved with the team since the 1999 Six Days in Portugal. I think it would be a real shame if Belgium is not represented at this major annual international event,” he says. It's not so much a challenge for him, but rather something that has to be. “Years ago I was able to benefit from the advice of 'oldens' when it came to driving. I think it is only natural to let today's young riders benefit from my experience and help them participate in this event.”
His task as team manager includes coordinating transport, accommodation, support, rental cars, clothing, materials, documents, etc. On site he must provide care during time checks and technical assistance during the fifteen minutes. every rider has every day before the start and keeping track of the riders' times. For him, it is also part of his holiday there... “Like the majority of people who help and assist our riders, we spend our holiday budget on the Six Days, even though it is less relaxing than sunbathing on the beach,” says Borguet.
Photo: from left to right Pierre Schmits, Wim vanderheyden, Jérome Martiny, Micka Despontin, Jérémy Fraselle and Cédric Cremer.
Text & photo: Febiac-FMB-BMB
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