MEDIA RELEASE
Wellard Club Team riders have secured first and second place in the C2 class at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE).
This year’s event, in San Juan, Argentina, attracted more than 560 riders from 30 countries, and was contested in very dry and sandy conditions, resulting in one the hardest ISDEs of the last decade.
Wellard Club Team riders Gary Sutherlin and Andrew Delong displayed perfect riding throughout the ISDE to claim first and second in the C2 class, providing some consolation after the team lost its third rider, Chris Bach, on Day Three due to mechanical problems. At the time the Wellard Club Team was ideally positioned to claim the Club Trophy with an astonishing 16 minute lead as it won every special test in the C2 division.
However, Gary and Andrew were able to refocus and dominated the final classification of the C2 class and the final motocross test to cement their outright placing at the top of the podium.
Wellard Enduro Team manager Peter Strickland said he was proud of the Wellard team’s riders, who were among the fastest ISDE riders not only in the Club’s division, but on many occasions the National Trophy teams, and showed great determination following the initial set-back as they still managed to finish tenth with just two riders.
“The ISDE is a very tough race which takes both exceptional skill and mental toughness to finish, so it is devastating when one of our riders isn’t able to finish the race due to mechanical failure,” Mr Strickland said.
“Regardless of the final positions, all riders performed well and we as a company are proud to continue to support them. I am also very proud of the excellent relationship Wellard has established with American Motorcycle Association which has demonstrated that the USA is home to some very strong Enduro Riders.”
In fact Team USA, which is also supported by Wellard, came second in the main Trophy Award, behind France, and managed to win the Junior Trophy Award, reserved for riders younger than 23.
Team USA rider Jeff Fredette, won the $1,000 Wellard support package in the online voting competition. He was competing at his final ISDE after setting the record of 34 consecutive ISDE appearances.
The second $1,000 support package was won by Cody Schafer for being the fastest non-Wellard Club rider across the six days of competition.
“All of the Wellard riders did exceptionally well, and we are delighted to have been a successful part of such a prestigious event,” said Wellard Managing Director Mauro Balzarini.
“Over the past eight years of our involvement Wellard’s Club Teams have benefited greatly from ISDE team manager Peter Strickland’s experience and ability to identify fast riders. After so many ISDEs, he is really a specialist in this area and is already thinking about how to repeat the success next year.”
Wellard Club Team (L – R): Chris Bach, Gary Sutherlin and Andrew DeLong
Gary Sutherlin winner of the C2 division
Andrew DeLong in action at the ISDE
Gary Sutherlin flying high
For further information please contact:
Cameron Morse
Phone: + 61 8 9485 8888
Mobile: +61 (0) 433 886 871