DAY 6
The organising committee of the eighty-fifth FIM International Six Days Enduro has decided to cancel the final day of the competition, a decision that has been fully supported by the FIM Jury.
No one involved in the event has been effected in anyway by the actions that occurred in the region overnight. These actions were in no way connected to the event and took place some considerable distance from the host city of Morelia.
The decision has been taken to ensure the safety and security of all persons involved with the event and of the spectators due to watch the final motocross test.
Results as of the end of day five, most of which were already clear and decisive, will now be declared as the final official results of the eighty-fifth edition of the FIM International Six Days Enduro.
The prize giving ceremony will take place as originally planned this evening in the city of Morelia.
Day 6, 2010 ISDE, Morelia Mexico
Everyone woke today excited and ready for the final day of moto. After completing Day 5, everyone had a sense that it was almost over and Day 6 was going to be a culminating experience of moto in front of alot of fans.
The sequence of riders was completely reversed for today. The C3 class (Open, Club riders), were to go first. All three of our Utah riders are in the C3 class and after 5 days of riding, they all ended up being on the same minute for departure. This was going to make for a great picture and we were all excited to see them off on their final day. What this also meant was that they would be the first to arrive at the motocross track, and would likely be the very first moto of the day and would be able to battle against each other on the track. We were all really looking forward to this.
We first gathered for a final picture of Team Utah. Rich Black wasn't in the picture. He was off somewhere still trying to freeload some lasagna from the Finns or something (Rich has been a great help to Cory and around the pits, but if you know him, you know he deserves some crap).
We then walked to the impound where it was a normal scene with everyone milling about getting ready for the day. All of a sudden we heard someone holler to gather round. It was just like someone calling a riders meeting before one of our local races. I thought it was odd, but everyone gathered and a man from the FIM stood up and began making an announcement. He wasn't speaking exceptionally loud and I don't think he quite had everyone's attention just yet, and I thought I heard him say something to the effect, that today "had been cancelled". I wasn't sure I heard him correctly, and then they conveyed the same message in multiple languages so it was hard to gather exactly what was going on.
Then, another man stood and this time they really had everyone's attention, and he said the same thing, but this time he spelled it out in more detail. He said that yesterday there had been a confrontation between the local Police/Government and the "La Familia" drug cartel with them capturing or killing (not sure which one) one of the key ring leaders of the local cartel. The actual confrontation occurred about 200km from us. As a result, the police were all on heightened security and did not feel that they could offer the appropriate level of security to the riders and fans at the motocross venue. They also said that historically, when such confrontations occur that there is typically retaliation and the FIM and organizing committee felt that it was not worth the risk to have the final moto be a target for retaliation.
When he said it, there were no moans or groans, but just an immediate acceptance from the riders and support crew members. It was all very surreal with everyone kind of looking at each other with that, "Did I really hear what I thought I just heard?" look.
Of course, this then caused a flurry of discussions and activity in the pits with everyone trying to get the message out to their team members and riders. Many were already on their way to the track.
Kara (Cory's wife) and Trish (Shawn's girlfriend) were already en route to the track to assist with setup of the US pits, and we had no way of getting a hold of them. They did eventually get the word and made it back to the pits safe.
Once the news sunk in, there was a sense of disappointment because we were all really looking forward to the final moto, but of course we supported the decision completely.
They communicated that all results were final as of Day 5.
We then worked our way back to the pits and started the long and laborious process of breaking down bikes, tents, and loading the U.S. container. This is a huge task and required the help of everyone.
Jeff Fredette completed his 30th ISDE and was presented with the U.S. Team banner with the signatures of all riders and support personnel.
After a while, tons of people started showing up and it turned into the biggest moto yard sale I've ever seen. There was a ton of jersey/t-shirt trading going on, but the big thing was selling of gear, used tires, parts, etc., to local fans and riders. Riders were literally selling the shirts right off their back. We had to watch our stuff very carefully because there were so many people walking around we were concerned it would get stolen. People were approaching us wanting everything. I sold some tires for Cory, and later Josh got right in the middle of it selling and bartering on some used tires with the locals on Cory's behalf. It was like a big Mexican Moto Swap Meet and was quite the scene. The Trophy Riders were right in the thick of it as well and the locals were going nuts for anything they could get their hands on.....gear, plastic, used tires, bibs, t-shirts, etc. I think some riders paid for their trip home practically with all the pesos they got during the sale. It was a lot of fun.
After all the work was done and we were sunburned, tired, and ready to go, we got dinner, came back to the hotel, and then decided what to do for the evening. There was a large party going on with an awards presentation and food, but we decided to forego it based on just wanting to play it safe.
While the "garage sale" and clean up of the pits was occuring, we could see a lot of local police and security come in that weren't there on previous days. The view from the pits is up on a hill overlooking the entire city. We could see some fires burning and they were supposedly fires lit during the confrontations (gas tankers that were set on fire which closed down some main roads). However, if nobody had said anything, you wouldn't have really known anything was really going on. I'll be honest, I had never really been particularly concerned about security up to this point but today kind of put it all back into perspective of where we are and how quickly it can change.
This has been the experience of a lifetime and I'm so proud of our riders. It is amazing to think that after 5 days of riding, they ended up having a cumulative time within a minute of one another and finished in direct sequence with one another.
Jake 11th GOLD
Shawn 13th SILVER
Cory 14th SILVER
They have done great, and we're looking forward to getting back to U.S. soil tomorrow.
One other side note, Wally Palmer from the U.S. Club team was flown out early today. He went to the hospital last night and they determined that he did not need immediate surgery, but it was of significant enough concern that they flew him out today to receive consultation in the U.S. The rest of the team chipped in today and got his bike and gear all packed up and put in the container. He had a major contusion on his leg was in serious pain yesterday and they were concerned that blog clots could form in his leg and cause permanent damage. That kid is tough.
The organising committee of the eighty-fifth FIM International Six Days Enduro has decided to cancel the final day of the competition, a decision that has been fully supported by the FIM Jury.
No one involved in the event has been effected in anyway by the actions that occurred in the region overnight. These actions were in no way connected to the event and took place some considerable distance from the host city of Morelia.
The decision has been taken to ensure the safety and security of all persons involved with the event and of the spectators due to watch the final motocross test.
Results as of the end of day five, most of which were already clear and decisive, will now be declared as the final official results of the eighty-fifth edition of the FIM International Six Days Enduro.
The prize giving ceremony will take place as originally planned this evening in the city of Morelia.
Day 6, 2010 ISDE, Morelia Mexico
Everyone woke today excited and ready for the final day of moto. After completing Day 5, everyone had a sense that it was almost over and Day 6 was going to be a culminating experience of moto in front of alot of fans.
The sequence of riders was completely reversed for today. The C3 class (Open, Club riders), were to go first. All three of our Utah riders are in the C3 class and after 5 days of riding, they all ended up being on the same minute for departure. This was going to make for a great picture and we were all excited to see them off on their final day. What this also meant was that they would be the first to arrive at the motocross track, and would likely be the very first moto of the day and would be able to battle against each other on the track. We were all really looking forward to this.
We first gathered for a final picture of Team Utah. Rich Black wasn't in the picture. He was off somewhere still trying to freeload some lasagna from the Finns or something (Rich has been a great help to Cory and around the pits, but if you know him, you know he deserves some crap).
We then walked to the impound where it was a normal scene with everyone milling about getting ready for the day. All of a sudden we heard someone holler to gather round. It was just like someone calling a riders meeting before one of our local races. I thought it was odd, but everyone gathered and a man from the FIM stood up and began making an announcement. He wasn't speaking exceptionally loud and I don't think he quite had everyone's attention just yet, and I thought I heard him say something to the effect, that today "had been cancelled". I wasn't sure I heard him correctly, and then they conveyed the same message in multiple languages so it was hard to gather exactly what was going on.
Then, another man stood and this time they really had everyone's attention, and he said the same thing, but this time he spelled it out in more detail. He said that yesterday there had been a confrontation between the local Police/Government and the "La Familia" drug cartel with them capturing or killing (not sure which one) one of the key ring leaders of the local cartel. The actual confrontation occurred about 200km from us. As a result, the police were all on heightened security and did not feel that they could offer the appropriate level of security to the riders and fans at the motocross venue. They also said that historically, when such confrontations occur that there is typically retaliation and the FIM and organizing committee felt that it was not worth the risk to have the final moto be a target for retaliation.
When he said it, there were no moans or groans, but just an immediate acceptance from the riders and support crew members. It was all very surreal with everyone kind of looking at each other with that, "Did I really hear what I thought I just heard?" look.
Of course, this then caused a flurry of discussions and activity in the pits with everyone trying to get the message out to their team members and riders. Many were already on their way to the track.
Kara (Cory's wife) and Trish (Shawn's girlfriend) were already en route to the track to assist with setup of the US pits, and we had no way of getting a hold of them. They did eventually get the word and made it back to the pits safe.
Once the news sunk in, there was a sense of disappointment because we were all really looking forward to the final moto, but of course we supported the decision completely.
They communicated that all results were final as of Day 5.
We then worked our way back to the pits and started the long and laborious process of breaking down bikes, tents, and loading the U.S. container. This is a huge task and required the help of everyone.
Jeff Fredette completed his 30th ISDE and was presented with the U.S. Team banner with the signatures of all riders and support personnel.
After a while, tons of people started showing up and it turned into the biggest moto yard sale I've ever seen. There was a ton of jersey/t-shirt trading going on, but the big thing was selling of gear, used tires, parts, etc., to local fans and riders. Riders were literally selling the shirts right off their back. We had to watch our stuff very carefully because there were so many people walking around we were concerned it would get stolen. People were approaching us wanting everything. I sold some tires for Cory, and later Josh got right in the middle of it selling and bartering on some used tires with the locals on Cory's behalf. It was like a big Mexican Moto Swap Meet and was quite the scene. The Trophy Riders were right in the thick of it as well and the locals were going nuts for anything they could get their hands on.....gear, plastic, used tires, bibs, t-shirts, etc. I think some riders paid for their trip home practically with all the pesos they got during the sale. It was a lot of fun.
After all the work was done and we were sunburned, tired, and ready to go, we got dinner, came back to the hotel, and then decided what to do for the evening. There was a large party going on with an awards presentation and food, but we decided to forego it based on just wanting to play it safe.
While the "garage sale" and clean up of the pits was occuring, we could see a lot of local police and security come in that weren't there on previous days. The view from the pits is up on a hill overlooking the entire city. We could see some fires burning and they were supposedly fires lit during the confrontations (gas tankers that were set on fire which closed down some main roads). However, if nobody had said anything, you wouldn't have really known anything was really going on. I'll be honest, I had never really been particularly concerned about security up to this point but today kind of put it all back into perspective of where we are and how quickly it can change.
This has been the experience of a lifetime and I'm so proud of our riders. It is amazing to think that after 5 days of riding, they ended up having a cumulative time within a minute of one another and finished in direct sequence with one another.
Jake 11th GOLD
Shawn 13th SILVER
Cory 14th SILVER
They have done great, and we're looking forward to getting back to U.S. soil tomorrow.
One other side note, Wally Palmer from the U.S. Club team was flown out early today. He went to the hospital last night and they determined that he did not need immediate surgery, but it was of significant enough concern that they flew him out today to receive consultation in the U.S. The rest of the team chipped in today and got his bike and gear all packed up and put in the container. He had a major contusion on his leg was in serious pain yesterday and they were concerned that blog clots could form in his leg and cause permanent damage. That kid is tough.
