Team USA headquarters for the 2012 ISDE.
It’s now time to relax a bit for Team USA now that all of the American riders have cleared tech inspection and have left their race bikes in impound at the Sachsenring Circuit, where they will not be touched again until a few minutes before the start of the ISDE come Monday morning.
Team USA’s Mike Brown prepping his KTM.
However, any spare time will most likely be used scouting out pit areas, getting the layout of the local land, and walking more tests, which many of the riders have said look like “a lot of fun.” ISDE Trophy Team rider Destry Abbott even Tweeted that the tests look “awesome” but a couple of them also look “sketchy.” Others have said the tests appear to be long and fast.
So far, weather has been good and a little cool. The forecast during the week is quite positive. Forecasters are calling for “mostly dry days.” The highest chance of any rain is early in the week, mainly on Monday.
This year’s U.S. Trophy Team is made up of Kurt Caselli, Destry Abbott (filling in for the injured Bobby Garrison), Mike Brown, Russell Bobbitt, Charlie Mullins and Tayor Robert, and is being managed by Antti Kallonen, who head KTM’s off-road racing program in the U.S.
Former GNCC champ Josh Strang is riding for Team Australia.
The U.S. Junior Team is made up of Andrew DeLong, Thad Duvall, Travis Coy and Jesse Groemm, who is a last-minute replacement for the injured Steward Baylor Jr.
There is also a U.S. Women’s Cup Team, which is made up of Rachel Gutish; Mandi Mastin and Sarah Whitmore.
Club teams this year include the Wellard Team (Jordan Brandt, Johnny Barber and Fred Hoess); GoFasters.com (Nick Canny, Zach Klamfoth and John Maier); the Boise Ridge Riders (Devan Bolin, Reid Brown and Derek Steahly); the Tony Agonis team (Nicholas Hamill, Michael Jolly and Joshua Knight); and the Missouri Mudders (Scott Bright, Brian Storrie and Chris Storrie).
One of the U.S. ISDE Senior club team members Jeff Fredette prepping for the six days.
The U.S. ISDE team has also designated a Senior Club Team of veterans from the club team members. This year, the Senior Club Team will include Billy Burns, Jeff Fredette and Ron Schmelzle. They will be known as Team JAFMAR.
Next on the agenda is tomorrow’s opening ceremonies, which is followed by a rest day on Sunday.
GNCC Pro 2 title contender Jason Thomas is representing Team Great Britain.
