Our Man in Argentina
ISDE 2023

Warren Thaxter is in Argentina at the ISDE supporting the Canadian Team.

The 2023 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), is one of the most prestigious off-road motorcycle competitions in the world! This year's event promises to be an exhilarating showcase of talent, endurance, and camaraderie among riders from various nations. Notably, a key figure in this year's ISDE is NTR member Warren Thaxter, who is extending his unwavering support to the Canadian Team and providing daily reports from the race.

The ISDE is a multi-day off-road motorcycle race that tests riders' skills, agility, and determination across diverse terrains. With competitors hailing from across the globe, the event is a true celebration of international motorcycling excellence.

Warren Thaxter's involvement as a dedicated NTR member and his commitment to the Canadian Team is a testament to the community spirit that pervades the world of motorsports. He'll be on the ground, embedded with the team, bringing you daily updates on their progress, challenges, and victories as they navigate through the demanding tracks and trails.

So, be sure to check in with us each day for your daily ISDE updates, courtesy of Warren Thaxter, as we follow the thrilling journey of the Canadian Team and other riders as they strive for victory in the 2023 ISDE. It's bound to be an exciting ride!

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Minus Day 4 to the start of the 2023 ISDE Race

The Team

World Women’s Trophy Team

Fleshia Madagila
Natashia Lachapelle
Emma Sharpless

World Trophy Team

Philippe Chainé
Owen McKill
Tyler Medaglia
Jared Stock

Support team

Lee Fryberger – Team Manager (AB)

Rennee Turner – Assit Team Manager (AB)

Mario Jakowski (BC) Jury Representative

Flag Wavers:

Cortney Schamale (Alberta)
Ian McKill (BC)
Blair Sharpless (ON)
Ryder Heacock (ON)
Isabelle Daneye (ON)
Claudie Robichard (ON)
Dan Ryan (ON)
Warren Thaxter (ON)

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Minus Day 3 to the start of the 2023 ISDE Race

As the 2023 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Argentina inches closer, the Canadian riders are in full gear preparation, making the most of the time left before the race begins.

Minus Day #3 on Friday saw a flurry of activity at the team camp. Canadian riders were hard at work fine-tuning their bikes, installing graphics, and taking their machines for test rides. It's not just about the bikes, though; many riders spent their day practicing lightning-fast tire changes and even getting creative by drilling holes in their bib mousse for enhanced traction on the challenging terrain.

Philip Chaine, who had quite the luggage ordeal earlier, faced another unexpected challenge. Upon collecting his luggage, he found himself in an extortion situation. An initial demand of $3000 US was made, but through some negotiation, the amount was reduced to a fraction of that hefty sum. The exchange took place in a closed room, devoid of cameras and witnesses. The details of this incident may warrant further attention in the future, but for now, Chaine is focused on the upcoming race.

Meanwhile, "Team Beta," consisting of Thaxter and Ryan, spent their day following GPS coordinates in their rally rental vehicle. Their mission? To locate the special test sites that they'll be supporting during the upcoming week.

The ISDE course itself is a demanding one, consisting of three separate loops. The Blue marking denotes days 1 and 2, Red for days 3 and 4, and Yellow for day 5. Each loop incorporates three special tests, which are ridden twice, resulting in a total of six specials each day. The remaining distance, approximately 120 kilometers per loop or 240 kilometers per day, is covered by transit trails.

Conditions on the course are characterized by extreme dryness and dustiness. To combat this, riders will have to continuously change their filters to ensure the engines remain in top shape. Notably, during the 2014 ISDE in Argentina, more than 150 bikes were forced to drop out due to issues arising from the ingestion of dust. As the anticipation builds for the 2023 ISDE, riders are well aware of the challenges they'll face, both on and off the course.

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Minus Day 2 to the start of the 2023 ISDE Race

In the ongoing International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) 2023 event in Argentina, Team Canada faced a unique challenge as they adjusted to the local currency. The team, minus one day of racing, found themselves dealing with one-dollar bills for their daily purchases, imagine carrying 100 one dollar all the time with you.

Despite the currency adjustment, Team Canada was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable food prices in Argentina. Most restaurant meals cost less than $16.00, providing the team with more food than they could consume.

On Saturday, minus day 2, it was Team Canada's turn to go through the registration process, bike scrutiny, and walk their bikes to the Parke Ferme. The Canadian team also planned to capture memorable photos. Notably, "Team Beta" was conspicuously absent from the scene as they had volunteered to make a trip to Mendoza to pick up two additional Canadian support members.

The ISDE 2023 event is gearing up for its opening ceremonies scheduled for 7:00 pm in the downtown core of San Juan. Meanwhile, during a course inspection, the Canadian team had a chance to chat with an elderly gentleman who was the sole Finnish rider in the competition. This was a surprising turnout from a country that had been a strong force at ISDE events for many years.

The low rider turnout, with only 420 participants, has raised questions, as there seems to be political factors at play. Team Canada and other participants are eager to learn more about the underlying reasons as the week progresses. Stay tuned for more updates on Team Canada and the ISDE 2023 in Argentina.

-1

Minus Day 1 to the start of the 2023 ISDE Race

As the highly anticipated International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) 2023 draws nearer, the atmosphere is electric in the host country, Argentina. Last night, fans and riders alike got a sneak peek at the spectacle to come during the thrilling opening ceremony. The parade of nations showcased riders and their supporters donning their official colors, bringing an exciting burst of national pride to the crowd.

Argentina, proudly hosting the event, put on a showstopper with their vibrant blue and white smoke bombs. The sight was a powerful testament to the country's enthusiasm for hosting this prestigious competition. Canada, decked out in red, was the fourth country to march in the parade of nations, receiving a warm welcome from the cheering crowd.

Team Canada made a memorable impression by distributing hundreds of maple leaf flag pins. These small tokens of Canadian identity quickly found their way onto lapels and backpacks, uniting fans from all over in support of the Canadian riders.

The opening ceremony also featured the world trophies, carried by the countries that earned them last year. Of particular note, the Watling Award, given to the most improved country, has been awarded to Canada on three occasions: in 1975, 1983, and most recently in 2021. This achievement is a testament to Canada's dedication and growth in the world of enduro racing.

Today, as the countdown to the event continues, attendees gathered various tidbits of information about the upcoming ISDE:

Team Canada has a husband and wife duo, Lachapelle & Chaine, participating, a remarkable pairing that may be a first in the history of the competition.
The United States has an impressive presence, with 31 riders and a whopping 200 support personnel.
Team Beta has been meticulously testing driving routes for the special tests on Days 3, 4, and 5. Managing two tests per loop, four per day, entails meticulous planning and some overland travel, a testament to the logistical complexity of the event.
The attendees are thoroughly enjoying the rich cultural experience in Argentina. The Latino culture, with its slower pace of life, provides a refreshing change from what they're accustomed to.
An amusing revelation after seven days in Argentina: the appreciation for traffic circles, which seem to be a common feature in the country.

For those unable to attend in person, the event is being streamed live on FIM-ISDE.COM, allowing fans from around the world to follow the thrilling competition.

Excitement and anticipation are building as the 2023 ISDE draws closer. The riders, supporters, and fans alike are in for an unforgettable experience, filled with thrilling races, national pride, and cultural immersion. To view the latest photos and updates from Team Canada.

Stay tuned for more updates as the competition unfolds, and the riders tackle the challenging routes of the ISDE 2023.

Day One of the 2023 ISDE

"Phew," 39 degrees today! It was hot, even at 7:30 am, as the first two British riders left the starting ramp. Only two riders to a minute, an effort to combat the excessive dust, seems somewhat lonely when compared to the Corduroy Enduro, which this year saw seven riders per minute.

Our Men’s Trophy team looked good all day, being on time or early at all checkpoints. Tyler is our quickest rider, posting special test times in the top thirties, though this might improve as the starting order gets shuffled for tomorrow's start based on today's accumulated times. This means Tyler will have faster riders in front of him and may have cleaner air to ride in. Today, he was catching slower riders in the dust, and passing was quite challenging.

In the Manufacturers Team division, KTM is leading in both first and second places, with the Gas Gas team in third place. The Gas Gas team consists of Tyler Madigalia (Canadian), Alex Snow (US), and Andrew Veronna (Italy). As for the Trophy Team, we don't have the results at the moment.

Unfortunately, our Canadian Women's team didn't perform well today. Natasha Lapachelle suffered from heat exhaustion at the beginning of the second loop and didn't make it to our 5th checkpoint.

Emma Sharpless also didn't reach the 5th checkpoint but for different reasons. Emma fell on a hill, knocking off the gas cap and losing most of the fuel in the tank. Miraculously, she 'found' a bottle of gas, but that one bottle of fuel wasn't enough to get her to the fifth checkpoint, and she ultimately exceeded her 30-minute time allowance. On a side note, the new Husqvarna two-strokes have a fuel pickup about 3 or 4 inches off the bottom of the tank. Apparently, if the bike isn't being bounced or shaken, the lower portion of fuel is unusable. This is, in my opinion, a design flaw.

Felicia Robichaud finished the day on time but also suffered from heat exhaustion and didn't do any maintenance. After parking her bike in the Parc Ferme, she went straight to the medical room. It's believed she will start tomorrow. Interestingly, the first four women's teams finished intact, but the remaining four all lost riders.

For day two, the course has been shortened, and the weather promises to be somewhat cooler at just 32°.

Day 2 of the 2023 ISDE

Today, the action at ISDE 2023 continued under the scorching sun, with competitors battling the relentless heat and dust. However, there was a glimmer of relief as the day brought slightly cooler temperatures and a welcomed breeze, reducing the hanging dust in the air.

Yesterday, nearly thirty individuals fell victim to the unforgiving conditions, suffering from heat exhaustion, prompting a shift in plans for today. In response to the health concerns, race organizers decided to shorten the course. They eliminated a significant section of trail between test 3 and 4 and another portion between test 5 and 6, along with a few kilometers of gravel road used as a connector.

Dan and I are the bearers for delivering much-needed drinking water and cold towels to the exhausted riders. It's a tough job, but Dan and his team are determined to keep the competitors hydrated and cool throughout the event.

One notable change in today's proceedings was the starting order. The Canadian Trophy team had their riders spread over a fifteen-minute period, a shift from the previous day's format. This alteration seemed to have a positive impact on the team's morale, as they appeared more relaxed on the course. Perhaps, having experienced the challenges of the course twice on the first day, it became a known challenge for them.

Stay tuned for more updates as the 2023 ISDE continues to test the mettle of these resilient riders in the face of extreme conditions.

Day Three of the 2023 ISDE

Final notes from yesterday. Last night at the team dinner we had three special guests, Betty and Jan Vandyle and Mike Kelly who are here in Argentina on Holiday. Betty and Jan are from Holland and have, for more than thirty years adapted and been a major part to the Canadian ISDE team effort. Mike Kelly, son of Jim Kelly, who for many years while living in England, assisted and was Canadian Team Manager. Mike now resides in Oswego, Ontario.

I caught Betty watching me today as I was calling out the remaining minutes before a time check for Felicia Robichard, our remaining Woman rider. This clock-watching was Betty’s job for a few dozen years, I wonder if I measured up.

Today was a new course which led west over a mountain range to a touristy area near a large dam and lake. The terrain was still desert and gravel, but dust was not as much of an issue today because there was more wind. The temperature was probably as hot as yesterday but because of the wind today was much more enjoyable.

We might call this cactus day, as Tyler impaled a long cactus thorn into his hand which is quite swollen. The medical team prescribed antibiotics. At the fifth check, Felicia arrived with cactus needles in her arm, shoulder, and thigh. Later at the paddock, she received an injection. It’s expected that both riders will start tomorrow.

At the end of Day Three;

World Trophy

1st – United States

2nd – Great Britan

3rd – France

4th- Spain, regardless of member Josep Garcia being the fastest man on most tests.

5th – Italy

6th – Chili

7th – Argentina

8th – Canada

JUNIOR WORLD TROPHY

1st – Sweden

2nd – France

3rd - Argentina

Trophy Women’s

1st – United States

2nd – Australia

3rd – Team Laten America

5th – Argentina

6th – Germany

7th – Great Britain

8th – Canada (2 riders out)

Manufacturers Team

1st – Red Bull Factory

2nd – Honda Racing

3rd – Husqvarna 1

7th – GASGAS (with Tyler Madaglia)

Day 4 of the 2023 ISDE

Sobering atmosphere enveloped the Canadian pits this morning. As reported yesterday, Tyler Madagelia's encounter with a thorn has proven more serious than initially thought. His hand swelled significantly overnight, and feeling quite unwell this morning, he opted not to suit up but instead went to the hospital. This unfortunate development places the Canadian team in a challenging position, with little to no chance of improving our eighth position overall.

Despite facing adversity, Felicia's arms resemble a pin cushion, yet she is soldiering on. Our four remaining riders are now focused on achieving the best results possible, hoping for Silver or Bronze personal medals.

In other events, Owen McKill took a spill on the wooden starting grid at test five today. Miraculously, he had not advanced the bike enough to trigger the start timer. This fortunate circumstance allowed him to regain composure, pick up the bike, and deliver his best test score yet.

Felisia also encountered a fall near the top of a hill close to the start ramp during the same test. After righting her bike, which was pointed downhill, and some animated exchanges with two officials, they eventually permitted her to proceed and successfully complete a second run up the hill. Subsequent questioning of the officials reassured us that there would be no penalty, as traveling backward on the course is prohibited.

On a different note, in Argentina, where we currently find ourselves, two-wheel traffic, both motorized and pedal-powered, is abundant. All bikes occupy the extreme right side of the road, with automobiles passing at will. Bicycles, similar to home, seem to be exempt from many traffic rules. The country impresses with its cleanliness, evident in the ubiquitous presence of street and road cleaners. In the tourist area where we have spent the last two days, the highways are meticulously swept by hand, and weeds and grass around guardrails are trimmed. There is minimal garbage, likely due to efficient garbage pickup services.

There isn't much else to report, and we are tired.

Day Three of the 2023 ISDE

We are almost there, with only the final motocross remaining. Tomorrow, there will be a fifteen-kilometer transit route to the motocross, which is located at an actual motocross track. Dan and I visited the track twice today for tests three and five. Although the tests started and finished at the MX track, the course itself was set in the desert. Notably, this facility boasted more parking than any other test site we have visited this week.

We estimated that there were 2000 or more people on hand to watch the test, indicating a very large crowd expected tomorrow. Today, all our Canadian participants finished, though not without a bit of drama. Owen McKill experienced a crash in the first water crossing of test two. He promptly pulled the filter out, held the start button until the engine cleared, and fortunately, the battery held out. The number two and five tests proved to be among the most interesting of the event. The course was situated in a river bottom, which also served as part of an irrigation system. The site had contrasting elements, with one half of the test course consisting of normal round rock, sand, and dust, while the other half was green from irrigation. It included two water crossings, as mentioned above, and some mud. Interestingly, it was the first time this week that we encountered something other than dust to wipe off our goggles.

I've just learned that the number of finishers at the end of day five is 232, down from the starting number of about 430. At this point, our Canadian Trophy Team is all on Silver medal status, and our sole woman is on Bronze status.

On another note about Argentina, small stores and restaurants have peculiar operating hours, opening at seven or eight in the evening. Last night, around six, we tried to buy some fruit, but all the stores in the neighborhood were closed. Two hours later, when we went for ice cream, we found all the stores open. It's challenging to have a sit-down meal before dark.

I will provide a final report after the motocross tomorrow and then head to bed. Our Sunday morning flight is at 6:45, and as we are two hours from the airport, an early start on Sunday is imperative.

Last Day of the 2023 ISDE

The 97th running of the ISDE has officially concluded. Unlike yesterday, today's proceedings were drama-free. The temperature remained in the high thirties, but the absence of yesterday's breeze made for a more comfortable environment. While I haven't directly queried our team, in my opinion, today's track was meticulously designed and impeccably prepared for the seven races that took place.

Today's starting order saw a reversal, with slower riders departing Park Ferme first, followed by the trophy teams exiting last. This sequence was mirrored in the actual racing order. The track featured a cement start pad and a modern start gate. The morning session comprised five eight-lap races, followed by an hour-long break for track maintenance, including watering and re-prepping.

The highlight of the event was the premium races, which commenced immediately after Luciano and Kevin Benavides, Red Bull Dakar Stars, completed two demonstration laps on their fully-equipped rally bikes from KTM and Husqvarna. An unexpected turn of events occurred during the second lap when the Benavides brothers collided and went down right in front of me while I was capturing a video. Fortunately, I managed to capture the incident, and I'll be handing over the footage to Ron Elmy to transform the four seconds of chaos into something watchable.

While there is much more I could share about this event and the country, all my observations would be overwhelmingly positive. This marks the conclusion of my reporting from Argentina. I'm going to bed.

Warren Thaxter

Our Man in Argentina
ISDE 2023

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