2017 USA ISDE WORLD, JUNIOR AND WOMEN'S TROPHY TEAMS ANNOUNCED
Following an historic showing in 2016 with the USA World Trophy Team coming away with its first-ever victory in the event’s 91-year history, the Trophy Team will return with another solid lineup in 2017. Last year’s ISDE overall winner, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team’s Taylor Robert, will return to compete aboard a KTM 500 EXC-F in the E3 class, while his teammate Kailub Russell will race aboard a KTM 350 XC-F in the E2 class.
Coastal Racing Husqvarna’s Ryan Sipes will return to the USA Trophy Team this year after missing the 2016 event due to injury, where he will have the chance to defend his 2015 ISDE overall title aboard a Husqvarna FX 250. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Thad DuVall will return to the USA Trophy Team, competing aboard a Husqvarna FX 350 in the E2 class.
The Junior Trophy Team will include Josh Toth (YAM) and Layne Michael (HQV) in the E1 class, as well as Grant Baylor (HQV) in the E2 class.
Kallonen: “We are coming into the 92nd running of the ISDE with a strong World Trophy Team like last year and our goal is to defend our championship. We really believe that with this team we should have the best chance possible. Every member of the team is experienced and knows what it takes to get the job done. The overall champions from the last two years are back on the team and we also have hungry riders that want to win, which will allow us to look for another overall victory in France.”
For the first time, the USA Women’s World Trophy Team will be included under the same structure and management as the World Trophy and Junior Trophy teams, which will continue to be headed by USA ISDE Team Manager, Antti Kallonen.
The Women’s Trophy Team will host a brand new panel of riders to the ISDE with multiple AMA National Championships represented across the board. FMF KTM Factory Racing Team’s Kacy Martinez, a multi-time offroad racing champion in the GNCC Series, WORCS, National Enduro Series and X-Games will join the Women’s team for the first time aboard a KTM 250 XC-F, while KTM-supported rider and defending GNCC Champion Becca Sheets will also compete aboard a KTM 250 XC-F for her first time at the ISDE. Additionally, current WORCS points leader Brandy Richards (YAM) will round out the three-member Women’s Trophy Team.
Kallonen: “We are going to apply the same ingredients to the Women’s World Trophy Team as we have to the World Trophy and Junior teams in the past. We are keeping a realistic view on where we’ve started and where our goal is. There are no shortcuts to success and we believe that we are taking the first step necessary to get there. We have committed to a three-year plan and we’re looking to take the Women’s team to the top.”
All three teams will meet in early June to conduct a training camp in Ohio in order to prepare for the event. This will be the fourth training camp that has been coordinated for the riders in order to assist the trophy teams as they prepare for the ISDE.
In addition, the team is excited for the upcoming 4th Annual ISDE golf tournament fundraiser that will be held on Friday, June 23rd in Snowshoe, W. Va. with all proceeds going toward the USA Trophy Team riders. For more details on this event, please click here.
Press Release from KTM 05-24-17
