Opening Ceremonies Kick Off 2013 ISDE

Shan Moore | September 28, 2013

Opening ceremonies in Sardinia kick off the 2013 ISDE.

(Sardinia, Italy, September 28, 2013) – Opening ceremonies kicked off the 88th running today of the International Six Days Enduro today in Sardinia, Italy, with all of the teams making the march through a short stretch of the city of Olbia and into an impromptu stadium built for the occasion in the parc ferme. As usual, there was plenty of color, along with the usual pomp and circumstance.

Afterwards, there was plenty of celebration going on in the downtown area of Olbia, where this year’s event is based, as fans, tourists and participants mingled at various parties and street celebrations.

Sunday will be a day of rest for the riders, and some of the Americans have a day trip planed to the beach to get a bit of relaxation before things get down to business on Monday with the start of Day One.

One bit of worry for the US team is the fact that Taylor Robert was not allowed to bring his race suspension on the plane with him so he had to impound his bike with the stock suspension. However, Robert’s father was able to get the good to Sardinia late on Saturday night. The plan, according to Robert, is to spend the 10-minute work period at the start of the race on Monday to change out the rear shock, and then to change the forks at a technical check later in the first lap.

Once again, France is the team to beat, sporting four FIM World Champions on their Trophy Team roster. However, the United States has perhaps its best shot in a long time at getting on the podium with deep and talented World Trophy and Junior Trophy Teams among its entries, as well as a good shot with the Wellard club team.