GNCCRacing.com: First off, congratulations everyone, and good luck in France!

1) Why did you decide to start competing at the ISDE? 

Tayla Jones: To be totally honest, it wasn’t really my idea. In 2012, one of our frequent women’s team members, Jemma Wilson, ended up breaking both her legs just six weeks before the race was supposed to start. I got a call up asking if I wanted to go in her place. I was really unsure because I’d never even ridden an enduro before, I had always raced motocross. But my dad told me “this could be your only chance to go overseas and represent your country,” so I went, and here I am now getting ready to head over for my sixth ISDE. 

Grant Baylor: The first time I went to the ISDE, I was invited by the team manager to represent the USA on the Junior Trophy Team in Italy. I thought it would be a great experience to travel to different country to do something that I love.

Jesper Börjesson: The ISDE is a really big event and something I always dreamed about racing. I turned 16 and immediately went and got my motorcycle driving license [author’s note: since some of the transfer trail is on the road, you must have a valid driver’s license to compete], but it was too late for me to compete that year in Finland. But the next year the Swedish Federation asked me if I wanted to race on the Junior Trophy Team and it was an easy answer! 

2) How many times have you competed at the ISDE, and of all the countries you have been to, which one was your favorite? 

Tayla: I’ve done the ISDE the past five years now, since I’m headed over for my sixth. So that would be Germany, Italy, Argentina, Slovakia and Spain. Out of those I don’t really have a favorite. They have all been awesome for different reasons, and I love getting to experience all the different cultures. 

Grant: I have been every year from 2013 to 2016, so this will be my fifth time going. I would say that out of the rour so far, Slovakia would probably be my favorite. The racing was awesome, and the city and the food were also great.

Jesper: I’ve competed at the ISDE for the last six years, so Germany, Italy, Argentina, Slovakia and Spain. It’s hard to say which one was my favorite, but of course I liked Spain. The team did really good there. 

3) Where were your best finishes (both team and personal) at? 

Tayla: Our team has been really successful! The Australian women’s team won the event in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. My best finish personally was when I won the outright [women’s division overall] in Slovakia in 2015. I was so pumped to finally get it. Going into Slovakia I was confident that I could win, I just needed to put a good six days together, which I did. In the end being on the top box that year was one of the greatest feelings ever!

Grant: My personal best was fourteenth overall in Slovakia (2015). As a team, our best was when we won the Junior Trophy division in Argentina (2014). 

Jesper: The best team finish we had was in Spain. I think that was my best too I personally had some top-10 special test times, which I’m really happy with! 

4) What is the most entertaining story you have from the ISDE?

Tayla: There have been a lot of great times and funny things that have happened at Six Days, it can get a little wild. But I’d be in a lot of trouble for sharing most of it, so I won’t! (laughs) One story I can tell you though is Slovakia on day four. Anyway, Jess [Gardiner, a fellow Australian women’s rider] and I were on the same minute that day and were riding out of the paddock from the morning start. There was a bit of a road section heading to the first test. It had been raining so the asphalt was a little slick. Jess came into a roundabout a bit hot, crashed, and ended up sliding down the road for what seemed like forever. Fortunately she wasn’t hurt, and we had a good laugh about it later that day. 

Grant: I can’t think of one right off that would be appropriate, because most of the good ones involve other people too and I don’t know if they’d be okay with me telling them.

Jesper: No comment.

5) What was the worst moment you’ve ever had during the race?

Tayla: My worst moment was probably Argentina in 2014. I was riding good, but near the end of the first day with about 3 kilometers left, my bike just stopped. I had no idea what was wrong or how to fix it. So I started pushing it as quickly as I could because I knew it wasn’t much farther. I ended up making it to the check with just two minutes to spare before I would have houred out! [Author’s note: If a rider is more than 30 minutes late to a check, they are disqualified from the competition. This is called “houring out”]. I was able to get the bike up and running with some guidance, but then the very next day the exact same thing happened in nearly the same place! I knew what was going on this time so I didn’t lose quite as much time, but it was still pretty crazy!

Grant: The worst moment I’ve had at an ISDE was actually at my first one in Italy. On day five, test number six, I had one of the worst crashes of my entire career. It resulted in severe bruising, several hematomas and a concussion. Despite the severe pain, I was able to finish day five and make it through the final moto on day six. 

Jesper: My first year in Germany I had a technical problem and had to DNF. It was especially disappointing because I did only half of a lap.

6) What are your goals for this year’s International Six Days Enduro in France? 

Tayla: My goal for this year is to win the women’s division, just like it has been every year. I feel really good on the bike and if it all goes smoothly I think I can get back up on the top step. Also, I of course want Team Australia to win again. We have a very strong team and we all have ridden well throughout the year. It is going to make for some great racing.

Grant: The past few years my goal has been to be the fastest Junior Trophy rider outright. I have been second fastest before but couldn’t get the job done. If I can accomplish that, my other goal – helping the Junior team bring home the gold again – should come along with it. 

Jesper: I am not riding this year since I am injured, but am focusing on getting healthy again. I hope that my team does well and I will be cheering them on.