Australia has already felt the highs and lows of competition at the 2026 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Grandola, Portugal, with solid opening hitouts for the Junior World Trophy and Women’s World Trophy teams tempered by heartbreak in the World Trophy division.

In dry and dusty conditions for the start of the 100th edition of the ISDE, World Trophy rider Korey McMahon (KTM) was an early casualty with a faulty fuel pump. McMahon tried in vain to push his bike to the end of the opening special test but was ultimately timed out – a bitter blow for the multiple national champion and the MXstore Australian team after such a positive preparation.

Australia is now down to three World Trophy riders – Josh Strang (Beta), Kyron Bacon (Kawasaki) and Gus Riordan (Honda) – for the balance of the ISDE, with the trio all kickstarting the event in strong form.

“Frustrating to say that it’s all over for me and the team,” said McMahon. “I went out there with all good intentions this week. I was really looking forward to the tests, and they all looked like they’d suit me a bit more than the last couple of years.

“It’s obviously very frustrating but no one is to blame. Stuff happens in motorsport. We’ll try to get it going now and run around supporting the boys this week and make sure they can get the best result possible. I’ll give them all my support, as they did for me today.”

2026 ISDE RESULTS HERE

Australia is 17th in the World Trophy after day one, but faring much better in the Women’s World Trophy (second) and Junior World Trophy (fifth).

Yamaha trio Danielle McDonald, ISDE debutante Madi Simpson and Jess Gardiner are three minutes behind the United States of America in the Women’s World Trophy and four minutes ahead of third-placed Great Britain, and in the Junior World Trophy Italy’s the early leader ahead of France, the United States of America, Spain and Australia.

“We’ve got all the nerves and stuff out of our system now, so looking forward to day two. We know what to expect, so fingers crossed,” said Gardiner.

Like Simpson, Junior World Trophy riders Kogan Lock (GASGAS) and Max Midwinter (Husqvarna) are also making their ISDE debuts, and all three have settled in beautifully to the hustle and bustle of the ISDE.

Will Dennett (Triumph) was the fastest Junior World Trophy rider for Australia on day one, using all his battle-hardened European experience from the 2026 EnduroGP world title.

Six club teams from Australia also began their ISDE campaigns in Portugal, with Dandenong Motorcycle Club’s No. 2 team of Scott Noble, Marley Camp and Billy McCulloch (all KTM) an impressive 15th overall.

Across the individual standings, Tassie tyro Bacon is leading the way for Australia in 25th overall and seventh in the E1 class – two spots ahead of Riordan, who’s in ISDE mode after a blazing season in America.

Former ISDE champion Strang is 10th in E3 after day one, with all three determined to keep pushing despite the loss of McMahon.

“The World Trophy’s team’s out of the mix for top honours but there’s still three of us left doing it for Team Australia,” said Bacon. “We’re just proud to represent the green and gold.

“From a personal standpoint, my day wasn’t so good on the first lap. I struggled a bit with the tests but the second lap was a lot better.”

Enduro powerhouses Andrea Verona (KTM) and Josep Garcia (KTM) have already made their ISDE presence felt, sitting 1-2 in the individual standings ahead of Morgan Lesiardo (Triumph).

Live coverage of the 2026 ISDE is available here.

2026 ISDE RESULTS AFTER DAY ONE
TEAMS
World Trophy
1. Italy
2. France +1:23
3. Sweden +2:00
4. Great Britain +2:50
5. USA +3:28
17. Australia +2.17:14

Junior World Trophy
1. Italy
2. France +0:59
3. USA +2:39
4. Spain +3:19
5. Australia +4:07

Women’s World Trophy
1. USA
2. Australia +3:02
3. Great Britain + 7:11
4. France +10:50
5. Portugal +16:49

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

E2
Will Dennett: 17th
Kogan Lock: 21st
Korey McMahon: DNF

E3
Josh Strang: 10th
Max Midwinter: 14th

Women’s World Trophy
Danielle McDonald: 3rd
Madi Simpson: 4th
Jess Gardiner: 6th