ISDE Argentina DAY 3 Recap
Story: Noel Flatters | Editor - Enduro.Media
November 8th, 2023
Day 3 of the 2023 ISDE saw racing move to a new course and series of tests after two days on the Blue course. Coming into the day the US team was dominating in both the Men’s and Women’s World Trophy competition, while Sweden was building a comfortable lead in the Junior World Trophy.
Although Day 3 of an ISDE competition is generally known as being the toughest course, Team Canada rider Jared Stock (KTM Canada / SOR Enduro Racing) described this year’s version as “Some technical spots, but nothing crazy.” The day did see the post-race retirement of Canadian Tyler Medaglia (Thor GasGas Racing), after a fall on the third transfer resulted in a spiked tree branch going through his hand. Medaglia was able to remove it with some help from a Brazilian rider and still managed a very strong day despite the pain, finishing in P22 with five top-20 results through the six tests. According to Tyler, his hand swelled up to twice its size overnight resulting in a trip to the hospital for a vaccination, antibiotics, and an anti-inflammatory shot. We wish Tyler a quick recovery, and look forward to seeing him back for the 2024 ISDE in Spain.
World Trophy Men
Spaniard Josep Garcia (KTM Factory Racing) bounced back on Day 3 to claim his second win over Italian Andrea Verona (GasGas Factory Racing), who had taken P1 for Day 2. Samuele Bernardini made it an Italian 2-3 podium behind Garcia, but Team USA took P4, P5, and P6 behind Taylor Robert (FMF KTM Factory Racing) in his final professional race, Cole Martinez (SLR Honda), and Dante Oliviera (FMF KTM Factory Racing).
The American team’s performance pushed them further ahead of their closest rivals in P1 overall for the Men’s World Trophy, with a commanding 8’15.17 lead over Great Britain and 8’55.02 over France.
The Canadian men had a solid Day 3 in San Juan. Tyler Medaglia led the way for the Canadians again, with a P22 one the day, but as noted above was forced to retire after the race with a hand injury. Owen McKill finished in P31, with Jared Stock and Phillippe Chaine in 34th and 38th, respectively.
WORLD TROPHY WOMEN
Day 3 saw the US continue their dominance of the Women’s World Trophy in Argentina, taking P1, P3, and P4 on the day on the performances of Brandi Richards (KTM), Kori Steed (KTM), and Rachel Gutish (GasGas). Australian Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) kept up her string of great results with a P2 finish on the day. Team USA now leads the Women’s World Trophy by an incredible 10’31.89 over Australia and 1:49’48 over Team FIM Latin America.
Canadian Félicia Robichaud, the sole remaining Canadian woman, finished P17 on Day 3.