The Song Remains The Same

Paul Carruthers | November 5, 2000

The Italians continue to dominate this year’s International Six Day Enduro in Granada, Spain, as they take their lead in the team competition to the final day today – despite losing one of the team’s top riders, Mario Rinaldi, due to injury.

With rain making the going rough, Italy continued to lead Sweden, with Spain third, Australia fourth and France fifth after day five. Team USA, meanwhile, continues to hold down 10th place.

In the Junior side of the competition, home-team Spain continues to lead Italy with Sweden third, the Czech Republic fourth and Germany fifth. Again, the American team remains in 15th place.

Individually, the 125cc class is being led by Jula Salminen on his KTM with TM’s Luca Trussardi the top American after five days in 14th place.

Mike Ahola leads the 250cc Two-Stroke division with AMA Grand National Cross Country Champion Shane Watts (Australia) holding down third place. The top American in that division is Russ Pearson in 14th place. Matteo Rubin, meanwhile, leads the 250cc Four-Stroke division with no Americans listed in the top 25.

The 400cc class is being led by Stefan Merriman on a Husky. Brian Garrahan and his KTM are 11th overall.

Husqvarna-mounted Anders Erickkson has things under control in the 500cc class, with Patrick Garrahan the top-ranked American in the class in 16th place.

Racing concludes today in Granada.

Photo shows American Fred Hoess and Marko Tarkkala.

Paul Carruthers | Editor

Paul Carruthers took over as the editor of Cycle News in 1993 after serving as associate editor since starting his career at the publication in 1985. Carruthers has covered every facet of the sport in his near-28-year tenure at America's Daily Motorcycle News Source.