Racing

ISDE 2015 Photo Gallery: Day One

September 8, 2015

Day one of the 2015 ISDE in Kosice, Slovakia is over and Team USA's World Trophy team is in the lead. The course was filled with very tricky transfer sections, and three tests on the loop. The riders completed two loops for a total of six tests per day. The technical obstacles (including some very long and steep hills, and some off cambers) might get more difficult as the week goes on depending on how the weather cooperates. Team USA’s Junior Trophy team is in a bad spot with one rider out and one rider (Steward Baylor) heading to the hospital as the sun went down. Tomorrow we will know if he’s able to compete for the rest of the event. If the Junior Trophy team loses two riders it’s chances at an overall victory are essentially gone. Here are some photos from the day.

Mike Brown exits Time Check 2 on the way to Special Test 2 on day 1 of the 2015 ISDEPhoto by Shan Moore

Thad Duvall had a good day and finished 16th overall. He said the terrain is similar to the hills he rides on at home in West Virginia.Photo by Shan Moore

Antti Kallonen has done a great job as Team Manager, bringing up the level of the US Teams to compete at the top in the unique format of the ISDE.Photo by Shan Moore

Kailub Russell was upset with his first test result and turned that energy into speed. He won two tests on the day and finished in first place overall, even though he is in the E1 class and riding a 250F.Photo by Shan Moore

Taylor Robert had a hard crash on Wednesday before the event on the one day the team rides the bikes. He was sore but rode well and is in 9th place overall after one day of competition.Photo by Shan Moore

David Knight won the ISDE in Slovakia ten years ago and was looking strong on Day One.Photo by Shan Moore

The dirt was wet at the beginning of the day. It rained in some areas but others stayed mostly dry. More rain came after the racing was over so Day 2 will be wet for at least the first part of the day.Photo by Shan Moore

Ryan Sipes was relaxed before the opening ceremony’s parade. His calmness served him well. He sits in second overall and first in the E2 class after one day of racing.Photo by Shan Moore

Steward Baylor was blazing fast all day until the final test, where he crashed hard and injured his right shoulder. He went to the hospital after the day was done to see how bad the shoulder is.Photo by Shan Moore