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AMA announces U.S. team for 2011 International Six Days Enduro

April 29, 2011

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce the U.S. riders for the World Trophy Team that will contest the 86th International Six Days Enduro (ISDE). For 2011, taking on the best off-road racers in the world, Aug. 8-13, in Kotka-Hamina, Finland, are: Destry Abbott, Russell Bobbitt, Kurt Caselli, Jimmy Jarrett, Nathan Kanney and Kyle Summers.

"It's no secret that Europe is home to some of the best off-road racers in the world, and the U.S. ISDE team is looking forward to facing these riders on their home turf," said AMA Off-Road Racing Manager Chuck Weir. "The Trophy Team is a mix of new talent and veteran experience. These riders know and respect each other, and will work together to put Americans on the podium at this storied international competition."

The World Trophy Team is one of three premier teams that represent the United States at the ISDE. The other premier teams are the Junior Trophy Team, which fields four riders younger than 23, and the Women's Trophy Team, which fields three riders. In addition, several club team members represent the United States at the event.

We got to Mexico on Tuesday, checked into the hotel that night and on Wednesday morning we were at the paddock uncrating the bike.  I spent that morning and early afternoon getting the bike together and set-up.  After that we helped straighten out our pit are and get crates situated and a little more organized.  At this point I had met most of the team and everyone was very welcoming.

Thursday morning the team met at nine to go to administration check-in.  This is where we signed in and got all our paper work handed in.  Once we finished with that I got geared up to take my bike over to the practice area to make sure the bike was set-up and jetting was good.  I felt the jetting was pretty good so we spent most of the time getting my suspension dialed in.  I ended up raising my forks to help the bike turn on the flat corners.  I did several laps and was feeling pretty good about the bike.  This was also my first encounter with the amount of dust I would be dealing with once the race started.  I heard several people saying the area had gotten good rain fall a week or two before the race, but from what I say they could use some more.  At that point I was hoping for a little rain.