The MXstore Australian team has reached the halfway mark of the 2026 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Portugal still very much in the hunt for success in the Junior World Trophy and Women’s World Trophy categories.

Day three was another searching one for the ISDE riders in the dry and dusty conditions, while timing issues also forced the cancellation of two sand-dominated special tests.

Only four special tests were completed, with Women’s World Trophy trio Danielle McDonald, Madi Simpson and Jess Gardiner (all Yamaha) again finishing runner-up behind the United States of America.

Gardiner, the Australian Motorsport Hall of Famer, was disappointed the two sand tests were bypassed.

“I think the Aussies would have done really well on the sand, so that was a shame,” she said. “So that meant we didn’t complete too many special tests today – and I had a couple of crashes in those, which didn’t help.

“But look, it’s only day three, so we’ll recoup and get back at it tomorrow.”

Australia is now four minutes behind the USA in the Women’s World Trophy, with the red-hot form of American star Brandy Richards proving to be the major difference between the two teams – but there’s still plenty of time to rein in the defending champion.

McDonald is second in the individual women’s standings behind Richards, with Simpson fourth and Gardiner sixth.

2026 ISDE RESULTS HERE

Australia (Kogan Lock, Will Dennett and Max Midwinter) remains sixth in the Junior World Trophy, with Dennett’s speed and workrate returning after a bruising day two.

Dennett (Triumph) and Lock (GASGAS) were 12th and 19th respectively in the E2 class on day three, while Midwinter (Husqvarna) was 15th in E3.

“It’s a bit unfortunate with the conditions, but otherwise we’re tracking along well,” said Lock, who is making his ISDE debut. “My bike’s good, but there was operator error on my part when I fried my clutch a couple of times on the same special test and lost a bit of time.

“I fixed it up in the service, but other than that the body’s still good and I got all my tyre changes done so I’m ready for tomorrow – where hopefully we’ll have a full complement of special tests.”

France continues to lead Italy in the Junior World Trophy, albeit by a slender margin of 42 seconds, followed by the United States of America, Spain, the Czech Republic and Australia.

World Trophy riders Kyron Bacon (Kawasaki) and Gus Riordan (Honda) remain just about inseparable in the E1 class, with Riordan edging out his teammate by just 0.46 seconds on day three – but in the cumulative standings Bacon is 23 seconds (and two spots) ahead.

Bacon is also the leading Aussie overall (a combination of all classes) in 22nd position, with Riordan in 25th. Meanwhile, Andrea Verona (KTM) and Josep Garcia (KTM) are validating their halo status in first and second overall ahead of what’s shaping as a grandstand finish.

Josh Strang (Beta) is 12th in the E3 class, with the World Trophy team in 16th position following the early withdrawal of Korey McMahon (KTM).

Italy holds a healthy lead in the World Trophy from France, Sweden, the United States of America and Spain.

2026 ISDE RESULTS AFTER DAY THREE
TEAMS
World Trophy
1. Italy
2. France +3:26
3. Sweden +4:59
4. USA +5:11
5. Spain +7:21
17. Australia +17.24:23

Junior World Trophy
1. France
2. Italy +0:42
3. USA +3:42
4. Spain +5:25
5. Czech Republic +10:02
6. Australia +11:32

Women’s World Trophy
1. USA
2. Australia +4:00
3. France +33:02
4. New Zealand +51:30
5. Portugal +53:29

INDIVIDUAL
E1
Kyron Bacon: 7th
Anguis Riordan: 9th

E2
Kogan Lock: 17th
Will Dennett: 25th
Korey McMahon: DNF

E3:
Josh Strang: 12th
Max Midwinter: 14th

Women:
Danielle McDonald: 2nd
Madi Simpson: 4th
Jess Gardiner: 5th