2025 ISDE – DAY 2 WRAP

Starting the day with a thirty-four-second deficit to France, Italy immediately went on the attack as their rivals faltered. Almost eliminating France’s lead, they closed the gap to just two seconds on the opening special test.

Another powerful effort on the second special test saw them move into the overall race lead by twenty-six seconds, and as they exited the third special test to complete lap one of two, Italy were now thirty-five seconds clear.

Clearly riding with a new wave of momentum, Italy focused on building that advantage throughout the remainder of the day. With France unable to retaliate, Italy closed out Day Two with a one-minute-and-forty-seven-second lead in the World Trophy classification.

“Personally, I felt I rode a bit too slow on the first test, but then got in a big fight for the overall win after that. On the last test, I lost the rear of the bike in the corner and crashed. But, you know, the feeling is good in the team and we will keep on pushing tomorrow for more.”

For France, it was not the day they had initially hoped for. Losing the lead to Italy, they have some ground to make up tomorrow to bring themselves back into contention for the top position. They will also need to keep a watchful eye on a hard-charging Sweden. The Swedes hold their top-three placing of third and closed the gap to France from one-minute-and-forty-five seconds to just thirty-nine seconds.

Behind the leading trio of Italy, France and Sweden, there was plenty of change for the reminder of the top five. Sixth on Day One, Australia leapfrogged up the leaderboard to a strong fourth, with the United States fifth, and Spain falling to sixth. However, only thirty-four seconds separate Australia and Spain, with the United States sandwiched between them, meaning positions are likely to change again as the week progresses.

The Junior World Trophy classification saw Italy maintain their lead in the 2025 ISDE Italia but face a new challenge with Australia moving up to second, while also closing in on the Italians. Australia look to now have found their rhythm in this year’s race and firmly applied the pressure to Italy on Day Two. With only thirty-six seconds splitting both teams, Italy cannot afford to ease off on Day Three.

“I surprised myself getting inside the top three today,” said Australia’s Kyron Bacon (Kawasaki), who raced his way to third overall on Day Two. “Today was a lot of fun though, the tracks were in really good condition after yesterday’s rain. As a team we worked hard and we are keen for the next few days to come now.”

Like their World Trophy counterparts, Day Two was not so kind to France in the Junior World Trophy standings. Losing time to both Italy and Australia, they slipped to third overall. With Day Three set to bring a new course, they will hope the fresh special tests will play to their advantage.

The United States hold fourth, one-minute-and-thirteen seconds behind France, but nearly two minutes clear of Spain in fifth.

There was no stopping the United States in the MOTOREX Women’s World Trophy competition, whoincreased their lead by ten minutes to sixteen-minutes-and-seventeen-seconds. The defending champions look strong and confident on the Italian terrain, setting a benchmark that very few of their classmates can match.

However, it was the fight for the runner-up result which proved exciting on Day Two. After a strong start to their day, Australia’s Madison Healey (KTM) ran into trouble on the second special test, losing over five minutes. That allowed France to move into second overall. Australia regrouped and fought hard to reel France back in, closing the gap from an initial three minutes down to one-minute-and-seventeen-seconds.

“The day was good,” told France’s Mauricette Brisebard (Beta). “With the sun, conditions were a lot better than yesterday. The first test was tough with a lot of ruts, but tomorrow, we have new tests so we will keep pushing and try to strengthen our position in the race.”

Italy are a distant fourth behind Australia but maintain a comfortable advantage over Great Britain in fifth. Chile and Slovakia are locked in a battle for sixth, with Chile holding the upper hand over Slovakia.

In the outright individual classification, Day Two saw Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM) sweep all six special tests. The Spaniard hit the ground running on the opening special test, taking the win by two seconds over Italy’s Samuele Bernardini (Honda). However, as the day progressed, it was Verona who got closest to Garcia, with the duo often split by fractions of a second throughout the day. Finally, a small crash from Verona gave Garcia the breathing room he needed to take the Day Two win.

“I knew today that there would be pressure with all the top guys starting at the front,” admitted Garcia. “The tests were drier and not as technical as they were in the rain, so the times were much tighter. I’m happy to come away with the win after a great fight like that.”

Racing his way into third, Bacon enjoyed a great day at the office, clocking in numerous top-five times. A few mistakes from Bernardini ultimately proved costly, ending his day two seconds behind Bacon in fourth. Shadowing him home for fifth, Morgan Lesiardo (Triumph) ensured three Italians placed inside the top five on Day Two.

Garcia made it two wins from two starts in Enduro1, with Bernardini and Lesiardo completing the top three. Sweden’s Mikael Persson (Triumph) took fourth, with Australia’s Angus Riordan (KTM) fifth.

Despite missing out on the overall victory, Verona could be content with the Enduro2 win on Day Two. Thanks to his impressive ride, Bacon ended his day second in Enduro2. The United States’ Grant Davis (KTM) edged out Sweden’s Albin Norrbin (Fantic) by two seconds to take third. With Norrbin fourth, the United States’ Dante Oliveira (KTM) completed the top five.

It was a win for Italy’s Kevin Cristino (Fantic) in Enduro3. Fending off the French, he took the victory over France’s Julien Roussaly (Sherco) by just four seconds, with Roussaly’s teammate Leo Le Quere (TM MOTO) third. Australia’s Josh Strang (Beta) ended his day less than one-second back in fourth, with Belgium’s Eric Willems (TM MOTO) fifth.

The Women’s category saw the United States’ Brandy Richards (KTM) victorious on Day Two. Richards won all but one of the day’s six special tests to top the standings by a sizeable twenty-five seconds.

Australia’s Danielle McDonald (Yamaha) enjoyed a strong ride on Day Two, with the eighteen-year-old racing her way to second position. The United States’ Korie Steede (Husqvarna) gave chase, finishing two seconds behind in third. Australia’s Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) was fourth, with the United States’ Rachel Gutish beating Canada’s Shelby Turner (GASGAS) by one-second to claim fifth.

In the Club Team Award competition, MC Italia A continue to lead the way, extending their advantage to three-minutes-and-forty-two-seconds on Day Two. Team Rabaconda pushed past BBM – Racing Time to move into second. The Missouri Mudders are just eleven seconds behind BBM – Racing Time in fourth. GTBN round out the top five.

Gottbros Team almost doubled their lead in the Veteran Club Team to eleven-minutes-and-thirty-five-seconds on Day Two over Motosport Bozkov 2 in second. Moto Club Nave remain in third, with Team Canada – Veteran fourth and Team Germany Club Veteran fifth. Randy Mastin Memorial lead the Women’s Club Team class.