It was a muddy start to the morning but by the time Australia’s Senior Trophy team member Daniel Sanders leapt on to the track for the final Moto of the International Six Days Enduro, conditions were excellent which led Sanders to secure his second World Championship E3 title in a row in Navarra, Spain.
With only six laps on the board in the final event of the International Six Days Enduro this week, Sanders had a mere ten minutes to secure his fate on board his KTM machine, which is exactly what he did.
After wrapping up an amazing week taking his second individual world title Sanders also finished 2nd in the outright standings amongst over 500 competitors who left the gates at the commencement of day one.
Sanders shared what an experience the ISDE has been for him, and concluded by saying that the last eight minutes of the final Moto were the most intense eight minutes on his bike.
“It has been one hell of a ride. We’ve had all conditions, from dry and dusty terrain to wet and slippery. We have had some fun out there along the way on the 300 and to come away second overall, and winning the E3 class, I am pretty stoked with it,” Sanders shared.
“It would have been cool to win the outright but everything doesn’t always go to plan over six days, even though you wish it would. We have learnt a bit this year and are ready for next year, where will have another crack at it.
“It has just been an awesome time with the whole of team Australia and the supporters. We couldn’t do it without all the guys who support us all.
“It feels good to finish second. Unfortunately, mistakes cost it for me, but that happens. Winning the E3 class again was awesome, I had a good lead in the end. Today on day six I just didn’t get a good jump off the gate and it buried me mid pack. I just carried through and tried to make as many passes as possible.
“We only rode for eight minutes and it was the most intense eight minutes you could ride on a bike. It’s good training for the four day, so we will be ready for that,” Sanders concluded.
Sanders’ Senior Trophy team mate Lachlan Stanford backed up strong results over the entire week to finish 12th in the World Championship E1 class. A crash in the final Moto for Stanford made it tough for the Husqvarna mounted rider, but still managing to finish the race, Stanford concluded the ISDE mounted on the bike.
Despite a brilliant effort from both Lachlan Stanford and Daniel Sanders unfortunately the Senior Trophy Team had to forfeit from the Team’s competition due to injuries sustained by both Daniel Milner and Josh Strang early on in the competition. Both riders are ok and are recovering post the ISDE events.
Motorcycling Australia would like to congratulate the Australian International Six Days Enduro competitors on their efforts this year. We would like to thank everyone involved but in particular Team Manager Don Atinks for his efforts as well as Jury Member Chris Gray and Mechanics Trent Lean and AJ Roberts. Also a massive thank you to all the supporters as we wouldn’t be able to do it without them. Thank you to Yamaha and the states for all the money raised to make this happen.
Don’t miss a minute of the grand finale action from the last day of the International Six Days Enduro, be sure to head to www.ma.org.au, like the Motorcycling Australia Facebook page and follow @motoryclingaustralia on Instagram.