GNCC Racing

United States’ World Trophy Team Clinches Second International Six Days of Enduro Title in Portugal

United States’ World Trophy Team Clinches Second International Six Days of Enduro Title in Portugal

Monday, November 18, 2019 | 3:40 PM
by:
Monday, November 18, 2019 | 3:40 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kayla Bolton
(304) 284-0084
[email protected] 

United States’ World Trophy Team Clinches Second
International Six Days of Enduro Title in Portugal
U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team Earns First Division Win Since 2007 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (November 18, 2019) – Racer Productions, producer of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, is excited to congratulate the 2019 U.S. World Trophy and Women’s World Trophy teams on their overall wins at the 94th running of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) in Portimão, Portugal. 

This year’s win marks the World Trophy team’s second title after earning the prestigious World Champion status for the first time back in 2016. Going back to Spain 2016, Kailub Russell, Thad Duvall, Layne Michael and Taylor Robert made up the first-ever United States’ winning World Trophy Team. This year Kailub Russell and Taylor Robert will once again have their names etched into the ISDE record book along with Steward Baylor Jr. and Ryan Sipes earning their first spot.

[caption]
[caption] Dario Agrati

The U.S. World Trophy Team would have their work cut out for them as they started off the win in the second place position. As day three came to an end, the U.S. World Trophy Team would find themselves over a minute ahead of Team Australia, who they had been battling against throughout the first couple of days. With three days remaining, the U.S. World Trophy Team knew they had to remain consistent as a whole to take home their second-ever ISDE win. Over the course of the next couple of days, the determining factor in who would win this year’s ISDE came down to the final day of racing. As long as the U.S. team played it safe in the final moto of the week, they would win. Sipes was eager to showcase his moto skills as he raced his way to a third-place finish. Robert came through seventh, with Russell finishing 20th and Baylor in 36th. The consistency shown by the American riders earned them their second-ever victory by a margin of 1:45.34.

[caption]
[caption] Future 7 Media

This year also marked the U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team securing their second ISDE win. The U.S. Women’s Trophy Team has not earned the coveted award since they created the Women’s division back in 2007. This year’s team included GNCC rider, Becca Sheets along with Brandy Richards and Tarah Gieger. The powerful trio worked their way into the lead on day two and never looked back. Richards had a dominant week earning 16 special-test wins over the six days of racing and bringing home second overall, while Sheets earned seven top-five finishes finishing sixth overall. Gieger would come through to take eighth overall after six days of racing.

[caption]
[caption] Dario Agrati

The U.S. Junior World Trophy Team consisting of GNCC riders, Josh Toth, Ben Kelley and Grant Baylor battled throughout the week, bringing home second overall in their division. Kelley and Toth would experience weather related issues on day four, causing them to slip farther back from the Australian riders. However, it was Grant Baylor earning the best U.S. JWT finish by earning 14th overall, which was also the third best finshing position of a JWT rider during the event. Kelley would earn 19th overall, while Toth came through with a 31st overall at the conclusion of day six. 

The XC Gear Club Team raced to a dominate overall finish after gaining the lead position after day one of racing. The XC Gear Club Team consisted of GNCC rider, Ricky Russell along with Dante Oliveria and Austin Walton.

[caption]
[caption] Future 7 Media

Other GNCC riders taking part in the 2019 ISDE were Australia’s Women World Trophy competitors Tayla Jones and Mackenzie Tricker. Unfortunately for the Aussies, Jones would endure a crash where she sustained a concussion and would be unable to continue. Tricker posted on her social media platforms that she would not be able to finish, however she was not injured and was ready to focus on being 110% ready for the 2020 racing season.

For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCC.

About GNCC Racing

The Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling two and three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 2,400 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks, and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. The series draws talent from all over the U.S., Central America, South America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised weekly on NBC Sports and RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.