Image: Foremost Media.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) will only field a Women’s Trophy Team at the upcoming 2023 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in San Juan, Argentina, featuring Jess Gardiner, Tayla Jones and Danielle McDonald.

According to the sport’s governing body, logistical challenges presented by the South American location of this year’s ISDE are behind the decision not to send World Trophy and Junior World Trophy teams.

In addition, MA has indicated that several regular Australian team riders were unavailable for the 2023 edition due to existing commitments. A complete roster is the aim in 2024 when Spain hosts the ISDE again.

Gardiner has set the Women’s category benchmark for a number of years in Australia, also scoring a wealth of impressive results on the global stage including six ISDE victories.

She is currently second in the Women’s division of the EnduroGP World Championship and is on track to score another national title in the EW category of the 2023 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC). Gardiner will be joined by US-based Jones, plus AORC JG champion McDonald.

“The significantly increased financial burdens encompassing travel, accommodation, and logistics to and from South America have posed an insurmountable challenge in sending representatives across all classes,” a statement from Motorcycling Australia read.

“Moreover, the limited access to crucial resources, including specialized and competitive equipment, spare parts, and technical support, has left MA and the ISDE management team to carefully reconsider the scale of this year’s Australian representation.

“In addition, several regular Australia factory-contracted riders were unavailable to commit to the event, due to existing commitments. All efforts will be made to field a full Australian Team in 2024 when the ISDE heads back to Spain.”

The 2023 ISDE will take place at San Juan, Argentina from 6-11 November where Team Australia will have the opportunity to improve on the P3 finish it scored in the class at the prestigious event last year thanks to the efforts of Gardiner, Emelie Karlsson and Ebony Nielsen.