17/08/2011: L'Australie 3ème aux ISDE avec Alison Parker

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Alison Parker leads Australian team to third place in 2011 ISDE

Australia's most successful female Enduro racer, Alison Parker, completed her fourth International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Finland last week, where she led the charge to Australia's only podium result.

The race was one of the toughest ISDEs held in recent years, with less than 50% of the women's field completing all six of the long, wet and muddy days. In only their second year in the ISDE, the Australian Women's Enduro Team matched the third place they achieved in Portugal in 2009, reaffirming Australia's strong standing on the world Enduro stage.

 The Yamaha-mounted riders, including current Australian Enduro Champion Jessica Gardner (WR250F), Queensland's Jemma Wilson (YZ250F) and Alison Parker (WR250F), set competitive special test times early on, to be placed 2nd behind eventual winners France; until the tough conditions caused race-ending issues for Gardner on Day 4 and Wilson on Day 5.

 As the last Australian female rider remaining, Parker battled a serious knee injury sustained on Day 3, to ward off the experienced Swedish team, keeping Australia on the podium.

 "I ruptured ligaments in my knee on Day 3 and had seriously considered retiring," reflected Parker. "But, at that stage, we had all three riders in the race, and first place was still considered achievable. Unfortunately, when we lost Jess and Jemma, the highest position we could attain became third place (behind France and Finland). I was determined to get us home."

 After the race, Alison Parker attributed her performance to her wealth of experience in Enduro; and the reliability of the Yamaha WR250F.

 "I have ridden the WR range in four ISDEs, ten Australian Four Day Enduros and the Australian Safari, with 100% finishing rate. These bikes are so reliable, even in extremely tough conditions such as those experienced this year in Finland". 

                                                                                                               

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