Monday November 3, 2014
A week ago today, we arrived in Argentina to near 100 degree temperatures. What a difference a week makes. This morning, riders were bundling up in jackets and trying to keep their hands warm before attacking their first Special Test after an initial road transfer section out of town.
There’s nothing quite like Day 1 at the Six Days, as all of the preparation, anxiety, and excitement is let loose as riders hit the course. Rather than attempting to communicate all the results that are otherwise readily available via the ISDE scoring website, I’ll summarize a few observations.
As anticipated, the French World Trophy Team is exceptionally fast and the U.S. and Australia Trophy teams are right on their heals. The U.S. Team was led by Taylor Robert’s overall performance on the day, but the rest of the team’s scores were for the most part very close and consistent.
I was working at Special Test 2. This is the test that I posted pictures of earlier that is right on the beach, adjacent to a little resort community. The Test also served as Test 6 for the day so I was able to see all of the riders come through twice. Due to being in one very specific location, and having a primary job of supporting the team, I was only able to get limited pictures.
In addition to solid performances by the World, Junior, and Women’s Trophy teams, the U.S. Club Team are incredibly dominant after Day 1 with the Top 4 Club Teams all belonging to the U.S. and 9 out of the Top 10 Club Riders belonging to the U.S. (For Josh’s friends and family at home who may have difficulty discerning the results, he was second overall in his C1 class and 8th overall out of all Club riders).
This is going to create an interesting challenge tomorrow at the Check Points and Special Tests because they will essentially have 9-10 U.S. riders all stacked up in the checks at the same time, where they normally only have a few at a time.
The entire team is really excited about the day. Josh enjoyed the course saying that he could not believe how many people were lining the entire course, even out in the middle of nowhere. He also said any intersection or turn on the transfer sections had so many police, course workers, and spectators that it would be difficult to get lost. In some sections, he said it felt like he was racing Baja, with hundreds of local fans lining both sides cheering and screaming for the riders.
The other big challenge for the day for the Club riders were slower riders. On Day 1, they are grouped by class (C1, C2, C3) and not on speed. There were a lot of slower riders being used as traction today in the Special Tests, but fortunately that will all change tomorrow when everyone will be sorted based on speed and results from Day 1.
Below are some photos from the day.
French World Trophy Team Member Christophe Nambotin was the first to come into Check 2 which immediately preceding the Special Test where I was working. He was the first racer through the Test and I figured this would be to his disadvantage. I was totally wrong, he laid down a test time that withstood all other racers the first time through. The crazy thing is that as we were recording test times, his second run through the test matched his first score to the hundredth of a second! He needs to go to Vegas.
Zach Osborne getting ready for his run at Test 2 where I was working. Really bummed to see him out for the week as he was going to be a huge help to the overall team score.
Zach Osborne in Test 2.
Kailub Russell
Taylor Robert and Toby Price from Australia were on the same minute. The Trophy riders were assigned 2 to a minute. Taylor was top American for the Day, sitting in 4th overall and Toby was on it!!! It was so fun watching both of these guys just railing today. Here are some pics of both Toby and Taylor as they entered the test.
This was our job for the day…..taking the packs from the riders at the start of the Test, and writing down Special Test scores and providing any “Intel” to the racers before entering the test (based on information from those that had completed the test).
It was very cold and windy all day. I could hardly believe we were in the same place we were a week ago.
Justin Jones from the U.S. Junior Trophy Team. This guy was on it today, posting the fastest time of the Junior Trophy riders, and besting some scores of the Trophy riders. Great performance by Justin.
Stu Baylor making his 2-stroke sing in Test 2.
This was a common site where we were standing at the exit of the test as riders would blow corners and then end up with ribbon wrapped around their rotors and sprockets.
U.S. Women’s Trophy rider Mandi Mastin getting ready to enter Test 2.
Sarah Baldwin
Rachel Gutish. Rachel looked great today and it’s apparent that 2 previous years worth of experience at the Six Days is helping her.
Mandi Mastin
Today, all the Club riders were grouped by C1, then C2, then C3. The first scheduled U.S. C1 rider to come into the Test for the day was AJ Lehr.
My favorite picture of the day, was this one of AJ Lehr. His family and supporters were there, screaming him on, as he was railing through the corners. There’s nothing quite like seeing “your rider” come through. Every time it happens it still gives me goosebumps and I was so happy for AJ and his family that they are enjoying this experience so much.
Rachel Gutish on the gas through the Finish.
Kyle McDonal had a very solid first day.
Brian Storrie
Those chills I spoke of……yes, I admit I got them when I saw Josh come in and head out for Test 2.
Chris Bach of the U.S. Wellard Club Team. He is absolutely tearing it up, currently leading the entire Club division.
Travis Coy looking good in Test 2
Paul Krause
Alex Dorsey, Test 2
Andrew Delong, fighting his way around slower riders in Test 2. This was a major issue for the faster U.S. Club riders, but should not be much of a problem tomorrow as times will be adjusted based on performance.
Beta Factory Club rider Justin Sode stretching and getting ready to enter the Test 2.
You didn’t want to be standing anywhere behind the racers as they left, otherwise you would be the recipient of a cannon shot full of river rocks as evidenced by this photo and the course workers taking cover behind the starting grid.
These guys had the job of shoveling back in the trench dug by just about every rider that left the test. They did this all day long.
Beta Factory club rider Nick Burson starting Test 2.
Beta rider Cory Buttrick
Six Days fans come in all shapes and sizes.
Nick Burson looking good. He’s right at home in the rocks.
One of the Kelley’s
A quick view of the transfer section coming into the checkpoint prior to the Test we were working.
Larreau of the French Trophy Team……amazing speed. The views from our Test weren’t half bad either, except for the cold wind and dust.
The French team ready to lay the smack down on their second run around the Test (now Test 6).
Christophe Nambotin was amazing to watch. As mentioned previously, he came into this test a second time and matched his first score (which was the fastest of the day) to the hundredth of a second.
Spain
Australia
Canada
U.S. Trophy rider Thad Duvall setting up for another rutted gravel turn.
Charlie Mullins hauling the mail.
Kailub Russell
Australia’s Josh Strang
Locals enjoying the show.
Taylor Robert
Mike Brown getting a little encouragement from Team Manager Antti.
The view and glamorous job of a U.S. Support team member…….hard work, but worth it.
Brian Storrie getting some words of encouragement from his good wife, before entering Test 6. The family members and support team members of all the U.S. riders are amazing.
And one last shot of Josh as he cruised through Test 6 for the day.
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Lun 3 Nov - 23:14
