Image: John Pearson.

Former professional motocross racer Jack Simpson will make his FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) debut at this year’s event in Spain, a major milestone for the young Victorian who made the switch to off-road for 2016.

The KTM 250 SX-F rider currently leads the E1 category in the Australian Off-Road Championship and more recently won his class in both Finke and Hattah events, catching the attention of ISDE team selectors in the process.

“I had the confidence in my ability to do this and now I’ve accomplished it,” said Simpson. “It feels great to be a part of such a good strong team and to be in there and try to get up there on the top step with all the other boys – I’ll have to push hard.

“I’m looking forward to being part of a team sport. It’ll be my first enduro – I’ve never done a four-day, or even a local enduro and I’ll be going straight to the world stage and into the biggest enduro race you can do. I’ll have my ears and eyes open, and take in as much as I can as quick as I can.”

Simpson hopes to keep the bike on two wheels throughout the event and use his motocross background to his advantage amongst his seasoned enduro opposition.

“We got the papers last night with the information saying where the track is where the motocross track is, because there is a motocross on the last day,” he added. “I’m looking forward to it, but the only expectation I’ve got is to put in 100 percent and stay on two wheels for the six days.

“I think that will be good enough. I’ve just to be strong and be solid hopefully I’ll raise a few eyebrows among the European teams – I’ve got a bit of a smash-bang motocross style, so I stand out a little bit among the enduro riders.”

Simpson will help defend Team Australia’s 2015 ISDE Junior Trophy title alongside Nic Tomlinson and Tom McCormack, while the World Trophy team will be Daniel Sanders, Josh Strang, Lachy Stanford and Daniel Milner, plus the Yamaha bLU cRU-supported Women’s team will feature Tayla Jones, Jemma Wilson and Jessica Gardiner.