TeamGB Managers Joe Wootton and Fionn Griffiths have praised the professionalism and determination of Great Britain’s riders after a challenging 100th edition of the 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations in Portugal came to a close yesterday (17 October).
The Great Britain squad travelled to Grândola with ambitions of challenging for honours across the Men’s, Women’s and Junior Trophy competitions.
Those hopes suffered a major setback on day two when technical issues forced Jamie McCanney (Triumph), Nieve Holmes (Sherco) and Jack Keenan (Triumph) to retire, leaving each Trophy team a rider down and out of contention for the leading positions.
The setbacks came after a promising opening day in demanding conditions. TeamGB sat fourth in the Men’s World Trophy and third in the Women’s competition, while the Junior squad was ninth. Dust and restricted visibility presented a major challenge throughout the early tests.
Professional qualities show
Despite losing the opportunity to fight for team honours, Wootton was impressed by the way the British riders responded.
“We started the week excited because we knew we had a real chance of contending and everyone was there with the same purpose,” he said. “The way the riders bonded and worked together was great.
“To have all three teams effectively out of contention after day two was incredibly tough. It would have been easy for people to let their heads drop, but they didn’t. Every test they kept pushing and that showed the professional nature of the riders we had there.
“They are professional athletes who know what they are doing. My job was to work with them, support the way they wanted to approach the event and help wherever I could. Their attitude throughout the week was first class.”
That determination produced several standout individual performances across six days of gruelling competition in the Portuguese heat.
Men’s Trophy
Nathan Watson (Beta) led the British riders home in sixth place overall and fourth in Enduro2. Brad Freeman (Beta) finished eighth overall and secured the Enduro3 class victory after a strong second half of the event. His charge included third overall on day five and victory in the final special test, before he claimed E3 by just 0.42 seconds from France’s Julien Roussaly.
Reigning EnduroGB Champion Jed Etchells (Sherco) completed the event 25th overall, with Great Britain finishing 11th in the Men’s World Trophy – with only two point-scoring riders.
Women’s Trophy
The Women’s squad also produced several major positives. 6DAYS debutant and rising motocross star Lucy Barker (KTM) recovered from a day-one crash that cost her almost a minute and became increasingly competitive as the event progressed. She finished third on day five before winning the Women’s Final Cross Test on the final day.
Griffiths was particularly impressed by the speed with which Barker adapted from Motocross to Enduro.
“She had so much to learn and had to put that information into practice incredibly quickly,” Griffiths explained. “The hard-pack conditions were completely new to her and there was a lot of pressure in those opening days, but she dealt with it with a really mature head.
“Behind the scenes she put in a massive amount of work before the event. Rosie and Nieve both spent time riding with her and helping her with the technical side of Enduro, while we also worked on things like time controls, transfers and understanding how the whole event operates.
“To then see her finish the week by winning the final motocross was phenomenal. She was on a stock 250 KTM against factory bikes and she rode her heart out.”
Barker finished eighth in the Women’s individual classification, with Rosie Rowett (RIEJU) completing the event in 10th.
Griffiths also praised the contribution of the wider Women’s squad. Holmes had produced her best single-day 6DAYS performance on Monday before her second day retirement and had been riding consistently inside the leading group. Rowett, meanwhile, delivered a solid week and continued to score strongly despite finding the deeper sand more difficult in places.
“Nieve was riding fantastically before the problem and I really believe we were in the hunt for a podium,” Griffiths added. “Rosie put in a really solid effort all week. The shared knowledge and experience between all three riders will make the British Women’s team stronger going forward.”
Great Britain finished seventh in the Women’s World Trophy – with only two point-scoring riders.
Junior Trophy
Sam Hughes and Callum Hughes (both KTM) also continued to push after Keenan’s retirement ended Britain’s Junior Trophy challenge. Sam finished 24th in the Junior standings and Callum 25th, helping Great Britain secure 12th in the final Junior World Trophy classification – with only two point-scoring riders.
Wootton believes the way the entire TeamGB squad finished provides encouragement ahead of the 6DAYS returning to Wales next year.
“Brad winning that final test on day five and Lucy producing that result in the motocross showed how strongly we finished,” he added. “Hopefully those results make the riders excited for next year. We have a strong chance and we will always aim for the top.”
TeamGB support
TeamGB’s 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations bid was supported by a team of volunteers and passionate sponsors in Portugal and both Wootton and Griffiths were keen to thank them for their help on and off the tests.
Griffiths said: “Joe and I as team managers and all the riders were hugely grateful to the army of volunteers in Portugal and everyone that’s helped to make things happen before, during and after the 6DAYS. “Without their support, none of this would be possible. This event was another example of how the ACU Enduro family pulls together and supports each other.”
Tim Lightfoot, ACU President, said: “There’s no denying this year’s 6DAYS was a very tough event, but I think the riders and everyone involved with TeamGB can be very proud of what they’ve achieved.
“As a federation, the ACU had 53 riders, 14 club teams and 3 Trophy teams competing in Portugal and that was the most of any country.
“I travelled to Portugal to launch the 2027 6DAYS in Wales and join TeamGB for the first day of competition.
“The 6DAYS is a huge team effort and I would like to express my sincere thanks to the riders and everyone involved in supporting the programme.
“The camaraderie and pride within the team was incredible which bodes well for next year’s home event and beyond.”
TeamGB sponsors:
DAY 1 – CJ Bird Transport
Day 2 – Wootton Tree Services
Day 3 – NOCO
Day 4 – Mid Shires Catering Equipment
Day 5 – Monsters of Dirt
Day 6 – EnduroTyres and Southampton Freight Services