There are 12 Club Teams representing Great Britain at this year’s International Six Days Enduro in Le Puy en Velay, France. Keep reading to find out about most of them and make sure you know who to support and look out for in the results.
ACU Midshires Team
Riders: Charlie Chater, Sam Davies, Henry Harman
Team Manager: Ian Tyler
This team has been purpose built for this years attempt of the 2022 French ISDE. All 3 of our riders are competing at the highest level in domestic events including the BECs. Each rider has many years’ experience in enduro. Sam Davies has been completing in the whole of the 2022 world enduro championship and Charlie has participated in quite a few of the world rounds missing just 2 countries out I believe.
Alfie Webb who was our first reserve rider was drafted into the squad to replace Aaron Gordon after he was seconded by Junior Team Manager Daryl Bolter. Due to unforeseen circumstances Alfie has had to drop out of the squad which makes way for our youngest and least experienced rider - Hull-based Henry Harman.
Henry will be a great ambassador for the Clubman riders here in the UK when he competes against the best in the world in France. Henry has shown his strong presence in all British competitions which will put him in a great place for the task ahead. Some people have questioned my reason for putting Henry in the team but Henry applied to come in to the team when Team GB manager Daryl Bolter asked for riders to apply to ride in the Club Team. His appointment strengthens the ethos of The Club Team (Team Midshires), as one of its main purposes is to introduce young riders into the world of the Six Days and give them such valuable experiences that only competing in this competition can give. Henry himself is very enthusiastic and he is buzzing to get going.
Army MCA
Riders: Tom Ellwood, Aaron Coupland, Hayden Maller
Team Manager:
Army MCA has been around and competing at the ISDE from 1950. And our aim for 2022 is to be the top British club team
Tom Ellwood (KX450): This will be my 6th ISDE. I’m really excited to be part of the Army Team again. The last ISDE held in France I rode for Team GB junior squad, so I have a lot of good memories from there. So far, I have 4 gold medals and I am hoping to add a 5th. I have a great team this year with Aaron and Hayden so I’m confident we can be up the sharp end in the club teams.
Aaron Coupland (KTM 450 excf): I am a vehicle mechanic in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) and have been in the army for 8 years! This is my 4th ISDE and am very excited to get out there and represent the Army. I feel we have a strong team alongside Tom and Hayden and are looking to be competing toward the high end of the club teams.
Hayden Maller (KTM 350 excf): This will be my first time at a isde let alone racing at one!! I have decided to switch machines to a 350excf as opposed to the 150 xcw I have been racing this year, hopefully the switch helps with the long days and pays off. I’m looking forward to getting out there and competing against all the different nations. I’m hoping for a good result for myself and the team. I think with the team we have there’s great hopes for a top result.
Braintree & DMCC Team
Riders: William Hughes, Luke Parker, Ben Clark
Team Manager: Mark Hughes
William Hughes has competed in the ISDE France 2017, Portugal 2019, Italy 2021. Luke Parker competed In the ISDE Italy 2021. Ben Clarke competed in the ISDE Italy 2021.
This year will be the team’s 2nd year. The team finished 13th Club team and top British Club Team in Italy and we hope to improve on that this year. Braintree & DMCC was formed in 1946 and although a small club has had some top International/ British Championship Enduro riders over the years, including riders in the ISDT/ISDE trophy teams.
Dyfed Dirt Bike Club Team
Riders: Gareth Jones, Alun Jones and Rhys Evans
This year will see Brothers Gareth & Alun Representing DDBC in their 3rd ISDE having competed in Chile in 2018 and Portugal 2019, Rhys competing for the first time.
Rhys has come through the DDBC Youth Enduro Academy ranks which shows that DDBC have a rider pathway right up to the pinnacle of the sport.
DDBC have had representation at the ISDE in NZ 2006, Spain 2016, France 2017, Chile 2018 and Portugal 2019.
Hopes for this year: With a good mix of experience and youth riders, a strong finish with all riders coming home safe.
Manchester 17 Team
Riders: Rob McLeod (age 54), Steve Malone (age 62), Steve Hague (age 63).
Team Manager:
The Manchester 17 team this year is a veterans team made up of three riders, unfortunately our younger faster riders were unavailable to commit to the event due to the late confirmations coming out of France this year.
That’s a combined age of 179 years! Our aim is to get to the end of this years ISDE in one of the hardest enduro countries in searing heat and hopefully enjoy being part of this iconic event!
Normandy MCC
Riders: Elliot Davies, Mike Burges, Shane McKane
Team Manager: Jon Casey
Elliot Davies - RIding Husqvarna 501, ISDE silver medal, SEEC H&H champion 2018, Rogerhills WInter series champion 2021. Riding 18 years, Senior rider and a major contributor to NMCC Club and events.
Mike Burges - Competes in SEEC H&H and Timecard Championship and BEC. Was unable to start the 2019 ISDE but supported the riders at the event. Senior rider and major contributor to NMCC Club and events.
Shane McKane - Riding Husqvarna 450 FE, riding 7 years, quickly graduated from leading the SEEC H&H and Timecard championship to BEC. Competed in 2019 ISDE Portugal. Senior rider and a major contributor to NMCC Club and events.
NMCC took a team to the ISDE in Portugal in 2019, we had two riders finish and one DNF due to bike failure. We aim and hope to get all riders to a finish this year.
The NMCC club supports the team financially and we ran major fund raising this year with a full weekend practice for novice/first time riders on the Saturday then full practice on the Sunday. We managed to get some industry and local sponsorship as well.
The Normandy Motorcycle Club was formed by locally based Dispatch Riders of E.Coy: Home Guard in 1944. Several months before the Home Guard was stood down, the riders of E.Coy DR's decided to form a motorcycle club, and with that object in mind, they all subscribed a portion of their mileage money that they were paid each month to start off the club.
Rhayader MC
Riders: Adam James, Shaun Buchan, Jack Probert
Team Manager: Andrew James
Adam James (age 25) – this will be Adams 3rd ISDE (2016 Spain, 2017 France), picking up 2 x Gold medals. Recently took the overall Expert class win in the Welsh 2 Day Enduro.
Shaun Buchan (age 31) – this will be Shaun’s 2nd ISDE (2013 Sardinia).
Jack Probert (age 18) – regular British & Welsh Enduro championship rider in the Clubman class. This will be Jacks 1st ISDE.
Rhayader MC had an ISDE team back at the 1983 ISDE in Wales. We also took a team back in 2017 in France. Hopefully all 3 riders can finish event, enjoy the event and make some great memories. Its Jacks 1st ISDE so it will be a great experience for the youngster.
St George MCC
Riders: James Jackman, Rudy Austin, Alfie Coles
Team Manager: Debra Harvey
We, have been Team St George since 2009, and were formerly Team England which first sent a team to the ISDE in 2001.
This will be James’ 10th ISDE, and 9th for Team St George and is competing on a Yamaha 250. This is Rudy’s 4th ISDE and is riding a Gas Gas 350. Alfie is our youngest rider, and this will be his 2nd ISDE and is riding a Husquarna 250. They are all on 4 strokes.
Our aim is to get all the riders to the finish with a top result, but mostly to enjoy the whole experience, with plenty of banter along the way.
A special thank you must go to all our sponsors. It is a real team effort, the team wouldn’t work without all the people contributing towards it, including mechanics, support crew and family.
Team Scotland
Riders: Ben Thomson, Euan Mcconnell, Jordan Scott
Team Wales
Riders: Harry Houghton, Harry Hillier-Rees, Jack Cadwallader
Team Manager: Andrew James
Harry Houghton (age 23) – just won the 2022 FIM World Enduro “Open Class” Championship. This will be Harry’s 1st ISDE. Harry will be riding a Beta RR300.
Harry Hillier-Rees- current leader of the Expert class in the Welsh Enduro Championship. He will be Sherco mounted for the event.
Jack Cadwallader (age 24) – regular British & Welsh Enduro championship rider. This will be Jacks 1st ISDE. Jack will be riding a Beta RR300.
Team Wales have been active for many, many years, my earliest recollection seeing the team was back in 1983 when the ISDE was in Wales, however Team Wales was going long before then. Hopefully all 3 riders can finish event, enjoy the event & make some great memories. Its Harry’s & Jacks 1st ISDE so it will be a great experience for them both.
West Devon MC Team
Riders: Andrew Elliott, Matthew Yates and Simon Thomas
Witley Team
Riders: Josh Kirby, Simon Beken, Guy Chandler